Episode. Aaron Rodgers throws three interceptions – and yet he is not the main culprit. A commentary.

The New York Jets are in crisis. A homemade one. Against the Minnesota Vikings, they suffered their second avoidable defeat in a row (17:23).

To say that Aaron Rodgers had an off day in both defeats would be an understatement. In London, the 40-year-old committed a total of three interceptions – only the sixth time in his 20-year NFL career.

One pick even went back into his own end zone (only the fifth time in his career) and ultimately gave the Vikings a crucial six points.

But it would be wrong to blame Rodgers alone for the Jets’ disappointments over the past eight days. And a bit unfair.

Because the fact is: the quarterback is getting absolutely no help at the moment.

Not from his offensive line, which allowed a total of eight sacks against Denver and Minnesota. And especially not from his offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who apparently decided to remove the running game from his repertoire.

Against Denver, the Jets still ran the ball 23 times for 64 yards. Against Minnesota, there were just 14 meager running attempts for an even meager 36 yards. And that was in the rain, in which (accurate) passes are inherently more difficult and a variable running game is usually the method of choice.

Playcalling that makes no sense. And puts unnecessary pressure on Rodgers. Against Denver, the quarterback threw the ball 42 times; against Minnesota, an incredible 54 times (or rather, had to throw it). Against a strong defense like the Vikings’, three interceptions are almost a blessing.

Rodgers can’t do it alone

Imbalance between passing and running plays has rarely led to success. In a single game, if circumstances demand it, maybe – just remember the legendary New England Patriots win at the Buffalo Bills in November 2021, when Bill Belichick only passed the ball three times in strong winds.

But such a blatant imbalance as with the Jets right now can only lead to disaster in the long run.

Rodgers himself should not be absolved of all blame. The three picks against the Vikings were all on him. He himself said after the game that he played “below his standard”.

But even a future hall-of-famer can’t play flawlessly in every game, let alone perform magic.

Especially not at 40, after a serious Achilles tendon injury. Especially not when he has to constantly fear being knocked to the ground by a 100-kilo monster because the O-line is more permeable than a revolving door in a shopping center.

It’s understandable to want to put the ball in the hands of a man like Rodgers in the clutch. But not all the time. Not at 80 percent of the snaps.

At least the mistake has been recognized. Robert Saleh stated after the game: “Our running game is not good enough.”

The head coach is right. If the Jets don’t quickly become more versatile offensively – and the players have what it takes – the homemade crisis will continue for quite some time.