JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a thrilling matchup, the New York Jets’ interim head coach and future leadership witnessed a nostalgic yet promising performance from Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers. The duo sparked a phenomenal second-half comeback, leading the Jets to a 32-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, thus breaking a four-game losing streak.
Adams showcased his remarkable skills by catching nine passes for 198 yards, including two touchdowns, all of which came during the game’s final half. With just 3:24 remaining in the game, he managed to secure a 71-yard scoring reception, followed shortly by a 41-yard catch that set the stage for Breece Hall’s short touchdown run with only 1:05 left on the clock. His impressive sideline grab for a crucial first down in between those plays was a testament to his elite gaming ability.
This performance not only marked a significant achievement for Adams, who notched his 100th receiving touchdown—making him the twelfth player in NFL history to reach this milestone—but it also highlighted the vintage playmaking of Rodgers. The veteran quarterback threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns while also leading the team with 45 rushing yards, helping the Jets (4-10) score over 30 points for the first time this season.
Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ interim coach, reflected on the moment as “historic, magical,” expressing his gratitude to have witnessed Adams’ landmark achievement. He noted the special bond between Adams and Rodgers, evident from their extensive history of playing together and the multitude of touchdowns they’ve shared.
The possibility of bringing back the duo remains a topic of speculation, even as they are projected to account for nearly $52 million against the Jets’ salary cap in 2025. Their performance against the Jaguars reignited discussions on a potential reunion.
Adams’ 100th touchdown reception was a calculated 1-yard fade route in the third quarter, but his 101st touchdown reception was an even more spectacular display of his capabilities. He dashed through the defense unguarded, easily evading linebacker Devin Lloyd and capitalizing on the lack of safety coverage, taking the 41-yard pass down to the 1-yard line before getting tackled.
Although it would have been strategic for the Jets to kneel it out from there to run the clock and force Jacksonville to exhaust their timeouts, Hall’s rush did leave the door ajar for the Jaguars (3-11), who were placed in a late-game situation to respond.
“I wanted to be aggressive, and I wanted the points,” Ulbrich stated about his decision-making at the end of the game. “I aimed to put the nail in the coffin.”
Mac Jones, the Jaguars quarterback, made an effort to connect with his receivers and managed to drive the team into Jets territory before throwing his second interception of the day, which effectively ended the Jaguars’ chances. Sauce Gardner’s interception marked his first of the season and was pivotal in sealing the game.
Despite completing 31 out of 46 passes for 294 yards—two of which were touchdowns to rookie Brian Thomas Jr.—Jones’ efforts were overshadowed. Thomas achieved 10 catches for 105 yards, while tight end Brenton Strange caught 11 passes totaling 73 yards. The Jaguars seemed poised to win back-to-back games for the first time in over a year, but Rodgers and Adams had different plans that day.
With their latest touchdowns combined, Adams and Rodgers have now struck gold on 81 connections, counting the playoffs—a figure that places them fourth on the all-time QB-WR touchdown pairing list. They sit just one touchdown shy of tying with Miami’s Dan Marino and Mark Clayton.
In a rare sight this season, both teams made strong starts; the Jaguars scored on their opening drive, breaking a streak of 19 games without a touchdown to start. On the other hand, the Jets answered in kind with their first opening-drive touchdown of the season, featuring a 22-yard throw from Rodgers to an unguarded Garrett Wilson. This quick start was a breath of fresh air for both teams.
In a personal milestone, Jaguar’s rookie wide receiver, Thomas, broke two single-season team receiving records, surpassing Justin Blackmon’s mark of 865 receiving yards and catching his seventh touchdown pass, surpassing Allen Hurns’ record.
Adding an amusing highlight, Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter, weighing in at 300 pounds, celebrated a successful sack on Rodgers with an unexpected backflip, showcasing his athleticism and providing a moment of levity during the game.
However, the game was also marred by injuries, as Jets players Jalen Mills, Tony Adams, Jamien Sherwood, Braelon Allen, and Michael Carter were all forced to leave the field. Fortunately, Adams, Sherwood, and Allen managed to return.
Looking ahead, the Jets are set to host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday, while the Jaguars will be facing off against the Las Vegas Raiders on the same day.
