The NFL released a promotional campaign this season with the premise of “you can’t make this stuff up”, addressing the absurd conspiracy theory that the drama of the NFL has been pre-scripted. After what transpired Monday night in the Meadowlands, football fans might want a word.
Reacting to Aaron Rodgers injury, what it means for Patriots
Just four plays into his career as the quarterback of the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers suffered a devastating season-ending Achilles injury on the turf of MetLife Stadium. A long offseason of courtship, media, training, publicity, hype, hope and hysteria over in just moments. To say it was stunning for all watching, especially those in attendance who’d pinned their hopes to the four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion reversing their decades of misfortune, would be the understatement of the decade.
Jets fans, despite the surprise victory over Josh Alen and the Buffalo Bills, are likely still in disbelief today. Allen gifted the Jets a chance to win with as many turnovers Monday as plays Rodgers was QB of the NYJ. And the night ended with a punt return by a player who barely made the Jets and was featured on The Aaron Rodgers Show, aka this season of HBO’s “Hard Knocks”.
Dramatic, dynamic, wild stuff. Like you couldn’t script. But that was just Monday night. Now we get to the season at hand in the AFC East, which was just pitched into utter chaos.
Following Rodgers’ injury, which puts the fortunes of the Jets and their loaded roster back into the hands of the man they didn’t trust to steer the ship, third-year QB Zach Wilson, the AFC East is essentially wide open and anyone’s for the taking. The Jets were picked by many to take the East for the first time in over 20 years, but now that could be in doubt given their signal-caller situation. They’ll do everything they can to bridle Wilson and make him a game-manager with their solid run game, but he's a wild card, and they also have a brutal upcoming schedule.
Buffalo is the three-time defending AFC East champion, but after Monday night’s performance their dominance has been called into question. Josh Allen, an MVP candidate and Madden cover boy, reverted back to 2019 Josh Allen, playing hero ball while continuously targeting Jets safety Jordan Whitehead, who picked Allen off three times. Whitehead equaled his career INT total and received a $250,000 performance incentive thanks to Allen, no less. Allen also fumbled of his own accord, which brought back unfortunate fumble-centric memories for one former Jet.
The Dolphins sit tied with the Jets at 1-0 right now but have vaulted into the betting favorite to win the AFC East following their thrilling 36-34 win last Sunday in LA against the Chargers. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill went off, showcasing a potent passing attack that could keep opposing coordinators up at night. Yet Tagovailoa’s injury history is a legitimate concern, from his college hip injury to last season's multiple concussions. If Monday night showcased anything for the Fins, or the league, it's that your best laid plans could be out the window in just moments (just ask 1999 Vinny Testaverde, 2008 Tom Brady and others who had postseason expectations but bowed out early Week 1 due to catastrophic injury). Miami’s backup, oddly enough, is Mike White, last season’s Jets replacement for an ineffective Zach Wilson. He could steer the ship well enough for Miami if need be, but would likely be far less impactful than Tua under center.
Again, you just can't make this stuff up.
And then there are the Patriots. Tied currently for last place in the AFC East at 0-1 following Sunday’s hard-fought 25-20 defeat at Gillette Stadium to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Pats could suddenly see a chance to be right in the thick of things. Picked by many to finish last in the division, if New England can continue to play solid defense while getting their offensive line healthy, all the while Bill O’Brien guiding and nurturing a mild renaissance of Mac Jones? Who’s to say they can’t be in almost every game this season. Buffalo and the Jets sprung leaks and displayed vulnerabilities aplenty Monday night. And the Dolphins are coming to town Sunday night for a now suddenly humongous game on primetime TV.
September was always going to provide a massive test for these Patriots. But now a big division game for Bill Belichick’s squad just got a whole lot bigger. Unreal to say the least.
Opportunity or adversity is always just an injury away in football. While nobody knows who will stay healthiest and take hold of the AFC East, the only certainty is that the division is up for grabs and chaos reigns supreme just one week into the season. It’s unfortunate what happened to Aaron Rodgers, and Jets fans probably feel thrust into an early darkness retreat, but such is life in the modern NFL. The division is anyone’s for the taking!
You really can't make this stuff up.