NEWSLETTER
Rodgers stumbles, Jameis shines, and the Packers are in wait-and-see mode with the latest Jordan Love injury—that and more in today’s NFL Notes.
Rodgers, Jets Stumble Against the Lowly Patriots; Fall to 2-6
The New York Jets placed all of their eggs into one basket when they traded for Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season. One season-ending injury and a 2-6 start later, and it looks like they made a massive mistake in leveraging their future for a Rodgers-led run at a Super Bowl.
It’s been now or never for the Jets this season. That’s evident in Robert Saleh’s firing, a change in offensive play-callers, and a desperation trade for Rodgers’ most successful wide receiver throughout his career, Davante Adams. None of those efforts by New York has led to a victory, not even on Sunday against the lowly New England Patriots.
Rodgers loves to talk, but he can’t even spin this mess.
The AFC East race is over, with Buffalo throttling the Seahawks 31-10 on Sunday. Buffalo enters Week 9 with a 6-2 record. The Jets are 2-6. No one in the AFC East besides Buffalo has more than two wins this season.
Many would naturally feel bad for the Jets, but their quarterback makes it impossible to do so.
Jameis Winston Leads the Browns in Upset Over Baltimore
“You only get one shot. Do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity lasts once in a lifetime,” veteran quarterback Jameis Winston said after Cleveland’s victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Winston quoted rapper Eminem and his famous ‘Lose Yourself’ song from the movie ‘8 Mile.’
The 10-year NFL veteran started for Cleveland after Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson went down with injuries. His Sunday performance will give him a few more starts for the Browns.e
Winston threw for 334 yards and nailed Cedric Tillman with a 38-yard touchdown pass with 64 seconds to play, sealing the deal for Cleveland. Cleveland entered the day as eight-point underdogs and snapped Baltimore’s six-game winning streak.
Anthony Richardson Admits He Subbed Himself Out
The Indianapolis Colts fell to the Houston Texans on Sunday, 23-20, effectively making their AFC South Houston’s to lose. The Texans are 6-2 and hold a three-game advantage over Indianapolis after sweeping the season series.
To make matters worse, Anthony Richardson has not been good this season. Indianapolis’ offense was better under 39-year-old Joe Flacco, and Richardson has regressed from the version of himself we saw in the early going of his rookie season before a shoulder injury ended his campaign.
Richardson was 2-of-15 in the first half on Sunday. He looked slightly better in the second half, finishing the game 10-of-32 for 175 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, but it’s his decision to take himself out of the game for a play because he was tired that will be the talk of the town in Indy this week.
Richardson left the game during a red zone drive in the third quarter, admitted after the game that he was tired, and asked head coach Shane Steichen to remove him.
“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there that I did … So, I just told Shane (Steichen) I needed a break right there.”
Richardson is 22 years old and asking for plays off during crucial red zone drives. Yikes.
Jaguars Lose Christian Kirk For the Season
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without wide receiver Christian Kirk for the remainder of the season after he sustained a broken collarbone during Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Kirk was attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence and landed directly on his left shoulder after bracing for a hit from Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
Before the injury, Kirk has two catches for 59 yards in the loss to the Packers. He finishes his 2024 season with 25 catches for 320 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars fell to 2-6 on the season with their loss to Green Bay on Sunday.
Jordan Love Exited Sunday’s Game with a Groin Injury
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love left the Week 8 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars early in the third quarter due to a groin injury, with his return listed as questionable. The injury occurred after Love collided with Jaguars pass rusher Travon Walker. Backup Malik Willis replaced him. Earlier in the game, Love was hobbled after landing awkwardly on a pass attempt but briefly returned after a medical evaluation. Head coach Matt LaFleur did not update Love’s condition postgame.
“No idea,” LaFleur said. “But obviously a high level of concern. … I think everybody could see him struggling to move around. It got to a point where we didn’t feel like, and he didn’t feel like, he could protect himself.”
Love previously missed Weeks 2 and 3 after sustaining an MCL sprain to his left knee on the final drive in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
