It only takes a different angle or a cut-out video frame to start conspiracies on the internet. And something similar happened during the Thursday Night clash under lights in New York. During post-game handshakes between the Jets and Texans, the cameras may have recorded a moment that fans thought was a cold shoulder.

Well, it looked like Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave a cold shoulder to Jets QB Aaron Rodgers as he went in for a handshake. This got the fans seemingly excited as reactions started to pour in on X, “GAHHHHHHHH DAMN that was COLD from #Texans HC DeMeco Ryans.” And another fan was quick to point out the relationship Ryans had with former Jets coach Robert Saleh: “DeMeco is tight with Saleh. Rodgers got his bro fired. If anything, it solidifies Ryans as a solid person. Stand on business for your people.”

But hold on to your reactions and conspiracies as NFL insider Ari Meirov cleared the air surrounding the rumors. Posting a photo on his X, Meirov put those conspiracies to bed, as he said, “Aaron Rodgers and DeMeco Ryans did acknowledge each other after last night’s game. DeMeco didn’t give him the cold shoulder. The broadcast just got to it late.”

Although Meirov may have put a lid on those controversies out of New York, Ryans and Saleh were close during their time working with the 49ers. Over the four seasons they spent together in the Bay Area, Saleh was the defensive coordinator, while Ryans was the inside linebackers coach. With Saleh vacating his position in San Francisco to join the Jets as their head coach in 2021. Ryans was given the defensive coordinator position, but he also eventually moved on by accepting the Texans coaching role last season.

However, both of them always sang their praises for each other as Saleh said, “He knows how to evolve day-to-day. You just knew with his demeanor, the way he talked to people and treated people. He was always going to be something special.” Well, Ryans also spoke highly of Saleh on learning the strides of coaching from him: “I learned how to coach from being under Saleh. He taught me a lot when it comes to schemes. When it came to just handling players game-planning.”

But that advice from Saleh might not have worked this week, as Aaron Rodgers finally snapped his team’s 5-game losing streak in New York.

Aaron Rodgers keeps the Jets playoff hopes alive

Losing to the Patriots last week led to the Jets finding themselves under darkness. And coming into the prime-time clash against the Texans, only a win could have helped them find light within that darkness. Well, after Thursday night’s win over the Texans, the Jets can finally breathe some fresh air after 5 weeks.

Although many could say they had luck on their side, as Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two field goals in New York. While their QB CJ Stroud got sacked, a whopping eight times on Thursday. He did not score a touchdown, nor did he give an interception, as the Texans remain first in the AFC South. Even Rodgers didn’t enjoy a great time starting the game. As he only completed 7-of-14 passes for 32 yards. It could have been a Halloween horror for Rodgers, who himself accepted his lack of accuracy, “I mean, I was terrible.”

But coming out in the second-half, the Jets fans finally got a glimpse of their four-time NFL MVP. He completed 15 of his 18 passes while throwing 3 TDs for 179 yards. And that was Rodgers, who was missing from the Jets up until this week. Even Davante Adams shared his thoughts on Rodgers’ second-half brilliance, “Night and Day. I think that was everybody. We all kind of had our hiccups early. He flipped it around and we were able to finally figure it out.”

Will this win start a new comeback story for the Jets this season? Or is it just another bandage to their woes after 9 weeks of NFL action? Well, we shall find out as the Jets find a glimmer of hope in their darkness-wrapped season.