One of the most highly anticipated Jets seasons in franchise history will end Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium. The Jets (4-12) and QB Aaron Rodgers will try to spoil the Dolphins (8-8) playoff hopes while grabbing one more triumph in a football season where success has been elusive.
The belief tank was full early in the season. Despite a 32-19 loss the 49ers in Week 1, interim HC Jeff Ulbrich recalled this week a phrase repeated on the plane ride home from Northern California.
"I know when we were flying back from that San Fran game, I remember someone on the plane was saying that over and over again that when we get to 2-1 watch out," Ulbrich said. "And we got to 2-1 and didn't work out the way we envisioned, anticipated and that's what's probably made it hardest was the expectations."
'Part of the Culture Being Right'
After a Thursday night throttling of the Patriots, the Jets dropped a 1-point contest, 10-9, to the Broncos at home in Week 4 and then couldn't complete a comeback in London and fell to the Vikings, 23-17. Two days later, Woody Johnson dismissed HC Robert Saleh and promoted Ulbrich, the Jets defensive coordinator, to IHC. The following Monday, the Jets never got over the hump against the Bills and absorbed an agonizing 23-20 defeat. The slide reached five games before the Jets felt victory again, a 21-13 Thursday night win over the Texans on Halloween. They have one win since and last week they spotted the Bills a 40-0 lead before Tyrod Taylor posted a couple of late scores in a lopsided loss.
"I looked hard at all three phases, and I looked at every single human being from an individual standpoint, from a collective standpoint, all of it," Ulbrich said of the game film. "And I saw no quit out there. And it's still not good enough. I'm not saying it is, I'm not saying there is a consolation prize in that. But the fact that this team is still fighting and battling and finishing – it's a testament to that part of the culture being right."
Aaron Rodgers will make his 17th consecutive start for the Jets. Returning from a torn Achilles tendon, Rodgers has battled through knee, hamstring and ankle ailments to reach the finish line.
"It's been an interesting year for sure, a lot of ways," said Rodgers, who passed for 339 yards and 1 TD in the Jets' 32-26 loss to the Dolphins in South Florida last month. "A lot of really special things the last year and a half, a lot of trying times for sure as well. But thankful to be healthy, thankful for the guys for the way they made me feel welcome when I came in last year, thankful for the fans and the excitement that I felt both last year and at times this year. Thankful to be healthy, so a lot of things to be thankful for even in the midst of a trying season."
'Send Them on Vacation'
The Dolphins are thankful to still have an opportunity to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season under Mike McDaniel. They need to beat the Jets and have the Chiefs, who've already locked up the AFC's top seed and will rest several starters, to trip up the Broncos (9-7) at Mile High. Rodgers , 41, has continued to express gratitude for his time with the Jets while acknowledging the uncertainty that lies ahead.
"I think we've dealt with a lot of adversity," he said. "This will be a year for a lot of these young guys to look back on if they handle it the right way in the offseason, but there is just so much growth that can come with adversity. The years when you're flying high, winning can gloss over a lot of things. There hasn't been any glossing over here the last couple of years so good time for all of us to reflect on the season and enjoy the last five days.
"This group will never be together in the same aspect whether you're playing one of the last two teams left, playing in the Super Bowl, or you're packing your bags, getting ready for the offseason. You know at some point this group will never be together, so just enjoying those last few moments with the guys. And we obviously want to put a good product on the field and Miami's playing for something, so we can kind of send them to vacation as well."
Ever reflective, Rodgers acknowledged this week that the past 16 months have taken a mighty toll on his mind and body.
"I need a break mentally," he told reporters. "I don't want to make a decision until I'm able to rest mentally and physically because since Sept. 11 last year, it feels like I've been rehabbing and training just to get to be able to play in training camp. And then obviously I had the nerves of playing the first few games and then kind of get banged up and then I was just trying to get back on the field for many weeks until the last three of four where I felt really good. I just need a break mentally to kind of refresh and put my feet in the sand and then see where I'm at after that."
'When You Don't Meet Expectations'
The Dolphins are preparing to start Tyler Huntley a second consecutive game as Tua Tagovailoa continues to deal with a hip injury. While Miami's backup signal-caller has 10 career regular-season TDs, Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, is one scoring pass shy of another remarkable milestone — 500 TD passes in the NFL.
"I'll be fine sleeping in my bed 20 years from now with 499, but 500 definitely does look better on paper," he said.
Things looked good on paper for the Jets and Rodgers at the start of the season. They never got on that roll, but they can make sure the 'Fins aren't rolling into the postseason.
"When you don't meet the expectations, especially when you have a roster like you did and the talent that we acquired here, it's hard, it's really hard," Ulbrich said.
