PITTSBURGH — The New York Jets experienced a heartbreaking 37-15 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, highlighting the struggles of their offensive lineup.
Wide receiver Davante Adams, who recently joined the Jets, expressed his disbelief in the team’s performance, noting the talent they possess yet managing only two touchdowns and failing to score in the second half. “That’s almost what pisses you off even more, knowing that you’ve got those type of weapons and to come up short …” he remarked.
In a moment of consolation, quarterback Aaron Rodgers embraced wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who took responsibility for the loss. Wilson pointed to his third-quarter drop that was intercepted as a pivotal moment in the game.
The Jets (2-5) faced their fourth consecutive loss, now winless under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who took over after the firing of Robert Saleh on October 8. Despite a promising start, the Jets became stagnant offensively after an initial strong 15-6 lead. Rodgers’ interception just before halftime shifted momentum, allowing the Steelers to score a touchdown and close the gap to 15-13.
Rodgers, who threw two interceptions during the game, acknowledged his need to improve, stating, “I have to play better. That’s the key, I have to play better. We have to find a way to run the ball better so we can play-action pass.” He described the atmosphere as lacking energy, both at halftime and prior to the game. “It felt like the energy — and it starts with me — the energy, for whatever reason at halftime, was a little flat,” he emphasized.
Adams’ long-awaited debut did not live up to expectations, with the star receiver managing only three catches for 30 yards on nine targets. Despite the disappointing outcome, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “I’m fired up, man,” he said, acknowledging the talent within the squad.
Rodgers, who seemed limited by a hamstring injury, completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards, struggling to connect with his receivers. His most effective plays came from short passes to running back Breece Hall.
Wilson lamented his performance, stating, “I got to catch the damn ball… That was the reason we lost the game at the end of the day.” He recognized the need to rectify his mistakes to help the team succeed.
Looking ahead, the Jets will face the New England Patriots (1-6) in a crucial matchup. Another defeat could severely diminish their hopes for a successful season. Coach Ulbrich reflected on the game, expressing disappointment and urgency for improvement, stating, “That second half, that’s not who this team is… We can all give more and we will give more.”