Any delusions about the Jets bringing Aaron Rodgers back to make a late-season playoff push ended here Monday in an utterly embarrassing, no-show performance against the Dolphins.
The Jets were outplayed and outcoached in every aspect of the game and suffered a humiliating 30-0 defeat at Hard Rock Stadium.
It is the first time the Jets have been shut out since Sept. 26, 2021, when the Broncos beat them 26-0. Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was the head coach of Denver that day.
Quarterback Zach Wilson was under siege in the first half behind an offensive line that played an atrocious game. He exited the game just before halftime with a head injury.
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The Jets needed to win against the Dolphins on Monday to keep their post-season hopes alive, thus also incentivising Rodgers to get back on the field, even if not 100 per cent.
Instead, Rodgers was left shaking his head on the sideline as the Jets were dominated from the opening snap in a blowout 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
The game was over in the first half when the Jets had 4 total yards and minus-10 yards passing. They did not cross the 50 until midway through the third quarter. Star receiver Garrett Wilson did not have a catch until the third quarter as he was blanketed by Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
While Wilson and Siemian had their struggles on the field, the off-the-field speculation has all been on another quarterback — Rodgers. The Jets have until Wednesday to add him to the active roster or his season is over. The belief is that he will be medically cleared to return, but what is the point? The Jets are now 5-9 and not making the playoffs and playing Rodgers behind this offensive line would be a terrible idea.
The Dolphins (10-4) came into this game with injury issues, most notably star receiver Tyreek Hill was missing with an ankle injury. It did not matter, though. The Dolphins carved up the vaunted Jets defense with receiver Jaylen Waddle running free through the secondary and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completing his first 13 passes.
It is believed that coach Robert Saleh will return in 2024 but a performance like Monday’s raises questions about whether owner Woody Johnson should make a change. The Jets were non-competitive against a division rival a week after they gained some momentum against the Texans.
It was clear this would be a long day for the Jets early. On their first possession, Wilson was sacked by Bradley Chubb and Christian Wilkins and fumbled. Zach Sieler recovered and returned it to the Jets’ 1. Three plays later, Raheem Mostert scored the first of his two touchdowns.
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On their second possession, Saleh called a fake punt on fourth-and-4 from his own 42 and Ashtyn Davis failed to pick up the first down. That led to a Dolphins field goal and a 10-0 lead.
The Dolphins added to the lead midway through the second quarter when Tagovailoa hit Waddle for a 60-yard touchdown. Waddle beat D.J. Reed on the play and the rout was on.
Mostert scored again just before halftime to make it 24-0.
The Jets have now lost in Miami eight straight times. Their last victory here was in the 2014 season finale, which was Rex Ryan’s final game as Jets coach. This was the largest margin of defeat for the Jets since Oct. 24, 2021, when the Patriots beat them 54-13.
HEARTBREAK FOR BEARS ON FINAL PLAY
Joe Flacco recovered from three interceptions to help the Browns to a crucial 20-17 win over the Bears, although Chicago very nearly stole the game at the death.
Quarterback Justin Fields threw a hail mary pass on the final play of the game and the ball deflected into wide receiver Darnell Mooney’s hands.
Mooney though, having initially came down with the ball, then spilled it as the pass was instead intercepted in a crushing late blow for Chicago.
It was the second interception of the day for Fields, although both of them came when the Bears had nothing to lose, with his first coming off a prayer throw on the final play of the opening half.
Flacco, on the other hand, looked to be unravelling after two impressive performances replacing the injured Deshaun Watson, who is ruled out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The veteran was unfazed by the sloppy start though, throwing a 51-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper that put the Browns back in the game.
A 34-yard completion to tight end David Njoku, who scored Cleveland’s first touchdown of the game, then put the Browns in field goal range and Dustin Hopkins was successful with his 34-yard attempt.
A quick 30-yard connection from Fields to Tyler Scott gave Chicago an outside chance late but it was not meant to be for the Bears as Mooney, who caught just two of eight passes in the game, coughed up the winning throw.
As for what the win means for the playoff picture, the Browns are now 9-5 and currently have the top wild card spot in the AFC.
Looming large though are the Houston Texans, who scored a critical 19-16 overtime win over the Titans on the boot of kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who slotted four field goals in the victory.
The win saw the Texans draw level at 8-6 with the Colts.
Houston has big games against Cleveland and Indianapolis coming up in the next three weeks to determine its playoff hopes and should be boosted by the return of standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) and potentially top target Nico Collins (calf) next week.
FALCONS BLOW BIG CHANCE, SAINTS MOCK GIANTS’ ROOKIE QB
Elsewhere, Green Bay’s playoff aspirations have taken a big hit after suffering a second-straight loss, this time to Tampa Bay by the tune of 34-20.
The Packers looked to be potentially pushing the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions for top spot in the division a fortnight ago after an impressive victory over Kansas City.
That 27-19 win made it three on the trot for the resurgent Packers but a four-touchdown statement from Baker Mayfield saw the Buccaneers home on Monday morning.
Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin, who had not recorded more than 80 yards since Week 4, erupted for 155 yards off 10 receptions as Mayfield’s favourite target.
Tampa Bay now sits atop of the NFC South at 7-7, level with the Saints after New Orleans cruised to a 24-6 win over the New York Giants.
Without top wide receivers Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, quarterback Derek Carr spread the ball around as nine different players finished the game with catches.
Carr was extremely efficient as he completed 23 of 28 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the win while running back Alvin Kamara rushed 16 times for 66 yards.
It was a tough reality check for the Giants after last week’s win over the Packers, with rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito mocked by Saints players.
The Atlanta Falcons had a chance to join the Bucs and Saints at 7-7 but instead struggled to get anything going in the wet, suffering a crushing 9-7 loss to the lowly Panthers.
Carolina had just the one win before Monday’s game and given the weather forecast, tickets were going for as low as $5 according to Ticketmaster’s listing.
But those rusted-on fans who braved the conditions on Monday got to celebrate a walk-off win for Carolina as kicker Eddie Pineiro slotted three field goals — including the game-winner.
The Falcon’s loss to the Panthers meant the Cowboys have officially clinched a spot in the playoffs.
WEEK 15 NFL SCORES
Raiders 63 defeated Chargers 21
Bengals 27 defeated Vikings 24 (OT)
Colts 30 defeated Steelers 13
Lions 42 defeated Broncos 17
Saints 24 defeated Giants 6
Panthers 9 defeated Falcons 7
Packers 20 defeated byBuccaneers 34
Dolphins 30 defeated Jets 0
Patriots 17 defeated by Chiefs 27
Titans 16 defeated by Texans 19 (OT)
Browns 20 defeat Bears 17
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