‘They could ruin any player’: How New York media reacted to the Jets’ loss against the Patriots
"It was one of the franchise's lowest points in recent memory."
New York media’s measured and not-at-all melodramatic reaction to the Jets: Before the start of the 2024, the Jets were thought to be a contender. Though not a leading favorite, New York boasted — in certain circles — some reasonable odds to win the Super Bowl (ranking ahead of teams like the Lions, Packers, and Ravens).
Flashing forward to the season’s near-halfway point, and the Jets’ chances at the postseason (let alone any shot at winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 1969) seems to have completely evaporated. Sunday’s 25-22 loss to the Patriots — who entered the day 1-6 and were forced to insert a backup quarterback following rookie starter Drake Maye’s concussion — might have been the breaking point.
Having thoroughly crushed New England 24-3 in Week 3, the Jets took a seismic step backwards on Sunday. Because of the loss, New York is now tied for last place in the AFC East (with the Patriots) despite the presence of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Amid a season of imploding expectations, New York media had plenty to say following the debacle in Foxborough.
“It was one of the franchise’s lowest points in recent memory,” wrote ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini. He couldn’t resist sharing an incredible stat to underscore the inexplicable performance of New York:
Other New York commentators were (somehow) even more harsh.
“They could ruin any player,” ranted legendary sports talk radio host Mike Francesa.
“I didn’t think you could ruin Aaron Rodgers! They have!” Francesa yelled. “They’ve turned him into a bum. And these head coaches, they cut to the offensive coordinator [play-caller Todd Downing] and he looked like he was waiting for a bus.”
“The New York Jets of 2024 are one of the colossal failures in sports history,” claimed ESPN “Get Up!” host (and noted Jets fan) Mike Greenberg on Monday.
Though hyperbolic, Greenberg’s point underscored the level of disappointment New York fans have after so much preseason hype and optimism.
Greenberg ran through the list of Jets issues — including firing head coach Robert Saleh earlier in October — and noted that much of the blame falls on Rodgers.
“The New York Jets turned over their entire franchise to [Aaron Rodgers] and it got much much worse. Like, embarrassingly worse.”
Though much of the focus in New York remains (obviously) on the Yankees in the World Series, both the New York Post and New York Daily News made space for Jets headlines.
“Putrid loss vs. Pats,” noted the Post, while the Daily News said that the team, “Can’t sink much lower.” The Post even created a graphic of a tombstone, declaring that the Jets season officially died on Oct. 27 following the defeat in New England.
And while the season is far from officially over for the Jets — though New York needs to make a run to even be in postseason contention — former Patriot (and Jet) Damien Woody is ready to call time on the Rodgers era in New York.
“The Aaron Rodgers era is over. It’s officially over for the New York Jets,” said Woody.
“They’re just a roster. They’re not a team.”
Trivia: Who was the Jets’ head coach the last time the team won a playoff game?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He did it against the Patriots.
Scores and schedules:
The Patriots managed to pull off a win against the Jets on Sunday, 25-22. New England rallied in the fourth quarter despite Drake Maye having to exit the game due to a concussion. Jacoby Brissett came back into the lineup and engineered a late touchdown drive.
Tonight, the Celtics host the Bucks at 7:30 p.m. in an early test for the defending champions.
Also tonight, the Dodgers and Yankees play in Game 3 of the World Series at 8:08 p.m. Los Angeles leads the series 2-0.
The Bruins play the Flyers at TD Garden on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- 3 takeaways from Patriots’ upset win over the Jets
- For Patriots and their fans, it’s always fun to kick the Jets when they are down
- Jerod Mayo could have splintered the Patriots by calling them ‘soft.’ Instead, they rallied for a hard win.
- Jerod Mayo lauds the Patriots’ ‘next man up’ mentality after win over Jets
- What the Patriots are saying about Drake Maye’s concussion
- Aaron Rodgers, spiraling Jets left in ‘darkness’ after Patriots hand them a crushing loss
- Patriots’ Javon Baker reportedly had ‘hiccup’ on London trip
- Patriots reportedly shopping Josh Uche in search of fifth-round pick
- Aaron Rodgers, spiraling Jets left in ‘darkness’ after Patriots hand them a crushing loss
- A coaching conundrum
More Jets reaction: Cornerback Sauce Gardner was stunned in the postgame scene, reacting to the Patriots’ game-winning drive.
On this day: In 2007, the Red Sox won the team’s second World Series of the 21st century. Though not as beloved as 2004 (understandably), the 2007 team was arguably a more impressive collection of talent. Boston clinched the title in a four-game sweep of the Rockies, winning 4-3 in Game 4.
Daily highlight: Jim Nance’s call of Jayden Daniels and Noah Brown’s “miracle” at the end of the Commanders-Bears game.
Trivia answer: Rex Ryan
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