The NFL landscape can change in a heartbeat. And for the New York Jets? It’s been a whirlwind of disappointment lately! With playoff hopes slipping through their fingers, what does the future hold? The Week 11 game against the Indianapolis Colts turned out to be yet another painful chapter in their saga.

So, the Jets faced off against the Colts. And lost 28-27! And well, that brings their record to a cringe-worthy 3-8. Yeah, it’s not good! Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stepped up and acknowledged the team’s struggles, quipping, “I know Aaron would love to be playing better, but it’s not just him—it’s all of us.” Ouch. That’s a total team failure right there.

Then there’s the final drive. Aaron Rodgers had a pivotal fumble that left everyone scratching their heads. He broke it down, saying, “Not a very good play. I was getting rushed… I was trying to throw an incompletion.” It’s tough to hear a superstar like Rodgers admit that, but hey, that’s the reality—he’s got to do better when it counts.

And let’s talk coaching. Ulbrich took a lot of heat for his fourth-down decision. Instead of going for it, he opted for a field goal that put them ahead momentarily. But guess what? Bam- the Colts took that opportunity and marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Ulbrich said he regretted not being more aggressive, which just adds to the frustration. This team needs a win stat, and these little decisions can haunt a coach.

Now, it’s not just the loss that stings. It’s the realization that the Jets are pretty much out of the playoff picture! Will Ulbrich keep his job? Now that’s the burning question.

Rodgers’ performance and criticism

Speaking of heat, Aaron Rodgers is catching it from all sides following this game. Some folks are ready to bench him or even call for his retirement. Emmanuel Acho didn’t mince words: “The Jets deserve better than the old, unenthused and completely uninspired Aaron Rodgers… Rodgers is just out there collecting checks.“ Shots fired.

Jets fans are venting too. One sportswriter said, “Typical Aaron Rodgers under pressure final drive: Refuses to throw the ball downfield because he doesn’t want extra picks on his stats.” You can practically hear the frustration through the screen—Rodgers is playing not to lose rather than playing to win.

Rodgers himself described that he was “disappointed” with this 3-8 start. Can’t argue with that now, can we? Sure, he says he wants to come back and honor his contract. But at almost 41? Everyone’s wondering if he’s still got it!

With the playoff door slamming shut, what’s next? Is Rodgers the guy to lead this team? Or is it time for a new direction? At 3-8, the New York Jets have some serious questions to answer.