It was like 1999 all over again and felt just as bad. QB Aaron Rodgers went down with what's most likely a season ending Achilles injury, just like QB Vinny Testarverde did back in the '99 season opener. Back then the Gang Green were coming off an impressive 12-4 season, still their best season ever, and a trip to the AFC Championship Game where they had a 10-0 lead only to allow 23 unanswered points to the Broncos. They were the team to beat in 1999 and Testaverde's injury crushed our hopes. It was deja vu all over again last night when after just four offensive snaps, our season seemed all but over. The Jets went on to win in overtime, 22-16, as undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson scored a walk-off punt return touchdown.
Week 1 Takeaways:
- As many predicted, offensive line turned out to be a big problem. Rodgers was pressured on every drop back and sacked on the play he got injured. You start building your offense with the offensive line, apparently that's something GM Joe Douglas is not aware of. It almost doesn't matter who your quarterback is if you can't protect him.
- QB Zach Wilson is as bad as he's always been. He's as bad as Rick Mirer was in 1999. The Jets should look for a veteran QB (Wentz, Ryan, Foles), as pretty much anyone would be better than the biggest bust in the team's history.
- RB Breece Hall looked like the player we saw before he got injured last season. He gained 127 yards (career high) on just 10 carries.
- WR Garrett Wilson is an absolute star. Too bad we now don't have a quarterback who can throw him the ball.
- CB Sauce Gardner had an average game.
- Jets defensive line looked impressive and was pretty much the unit that kept us in the game.
- Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's playcalling reminded of his father Paul "Can't Hack It" Hackett. He was just as bad.
- PK Greg Zuerlein looked solid, especially on kickoffs (all went into the end zone for touchbacks).
- S Jordan Whitehead had a career game. His three interceptions exceeded the totals for each of his previous NFL seasons.
- The Jets will not be making playoffs, unless they do something about pass protection and replace Zach Wilson with a veteran QB.