What if?
The Jets are 4-10 heading into Sunday's home contest against the Los Angeles Rams (8-6), but it's fair to wonder what would have been different if Aaron Rodgers had a clean bill of health throughout the 2024 season. Rodgers, more than 15 months removed from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, sustained a knee injury in a 1-point loss to the Broncos in Week 4, an ankle injury the following Sunday in a 6-point loss to the Vikings in London and then a hamstring flared up in a Week 7 loss at the Steelers as the Jets had a 15-6 lead evaporate.
But Rodgers, a legendary competitor who's tough as nails, refused to stay down. In a league where coaches often say the best ability is availability, Rodgers marched on. He was a fixture on the injury report until Thanksgiving.
'Obviously, I Feel a Lot Better'
A healthy Rodgers, who turned 41 on Dec. 2, has turned back the clock. The Jets averaged 29 points in their Florida split against the Dolphins and the Jaguars as Rodgers hit on 62% of his passes for 628 yards and 4 TDs. Since Week 8, Rodgers has posted a 100.4 passer rating with 13 TDs and 1 INTs.
"It's the what-if game," said Rodgers when asked if he thought a week off earlier this season could have been beneficial for his long-term prospects. "I don't really get a whole lot of that. I feel like I was healthy enough to play, so I played and that was kind of the end of the conversation there. There were games I was more hampered and games I felt a little bit better. But obviously I feel a lot better the last couple of weeks."
Entering Week 16, Rodgers ranks No. 7 in completions (305), T7 in TDs (23) and No. 11 in yards (3,255). With a strong final push against the Rams, the Bills and the Dolphins, Rodgers could set franchise marks in passing yards (Joe Namath: 4,007 in 1964/14-game season) and TDs (Ryan Fitzpatrick: 31 in 2015). But the most important statistic to Rodgers this regular season has always been 17 – he is determined to play a full season.
"To have played every game this season means a lot to me," he said. "To be 4-10 is really tough to deal with obviously late in your career. And then there's the whole idea of not wanting to go out like this. I'm 41 -years -old, I've played a lot of good football over the years. The game's given me a lot, I've given the game a lot and whatever happens after this – I'll feel real good about what I accomplished and the people I got to be around."
'Just Two Great Players'
While frigid temperatures in the forecast for Sunday (26-degree high/14-degree low), Aaron Rodgers will look to stay hot against a Rams defense than ranks No. 27 in yards/play (5.71) and No. 29 in pass yards/play (29). The Rams will counter with QB Matt Stafford, who's posted a 4-1 record since Week 11 with 10 TDs, 0 INT and a 115.0 passer rating.
"Just two great players and two guys who have done it a really high level," Rams head coach Sean McVay said of Stafford and Rodgers. "I think the essence of playing quarterback involves so many different things, but you talk about changing arm slots, creating off-schedule, understanding what are the defensive structures and how do you move and manipulate defenders. And both of those guys have been doing those things at a really high clip. The ability to make all types of throws but then also have incredible understanding above the neck of all things that involve this game. … It's two greats, it's two guys that I look at as Hall of Famers."
The great signal-callers have elite WR combinations in NYJ Garrett Wilson (84-933-11.1-6TD) and Davante Adams (49-651-13.3-5TD); and LAR Cooper Kupp (63-657-10.4-6TD) and Puka Nacua (61-805-13.2-3TD). Adams, who had 18 receptions for 307 yards and 3 TDs the past two games, and Nacua, who has averaged 8 receptions and 108 yards the past six contests, are both surging.
'Something You Don't Take for Granted'
After a 1-4 start, the Rams have positioned themselves to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the third time under Sean McVay. The Rams are in if they win out and will feel confident that Matt Stafford, who is 11-1 in December as a starter since the Rams traded for him in 2021, will get back to the postseason.
"Just one of the top quarterbacks in this league right now and maybe ever," said Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. "His accuracy, his ability to extend plays, especially when things break down. He is that rare guy that he can go into that mode of high efficiency and just walk you down the field, take what you give him and then at the same time, the explosive is always a threat because his elite accuracy and understanding of coverage and then the receivers to get open, so it is going to be maybe our greatest challenge of the year from that standpoint from a pass game perspective."
The Jets can play spoiler, and Rodgers is 13-4 in his career against Stafford (who Rodgers used to see twice a season in NFC North games between the Packers and the Lions). The Rams will encounter the cold, an early start and a Hall of Fame QB who's still giving back to the game.
"Our goal is to continue to improve," McVay said. "It is something you don't take for granted, playing meaningful football in the month of December. We have to continue to improve and I' m a big believer in that you don't stay the same – you either get better or you get worse."
Rodgers has never looked back this season, remaining present in every moment included the ones marred by adversity. He's gotten better and he could be a big problem for the Rams on Sunday.
