JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jeff Ulbrich took home just one thing Sunday.
The Jets' interim coach made a terrible time management error that ultimately cost the Jets a 32-25 victory over the Jaguars.
The game was tied at 25-25, and after the Jaguars used their first timeout, Aaron Rodgers threw a 41-yard completion to Davante Adams with 1:08 left in the game, putting the ball on the Jaguars' 1-yard line. Ta.
The Jets kicked the knee three times, potentially forcing the Jaguars to use their final two timeouts and run the clock down to about 15 seconds after the third knee. They then kicked the game-clinching field goal and could have left the Jaguars with about 11 seconds to go without a timeout.
Instead, Ulbrich called a running play to Brees Hall, and the Jaguars allowed Ulbrich a touchdown with 1:05 left in the game. The Jaguars got the ball back with two timeouts and 1:05 left. After moving the ball to the Jets' 47, Mac Jones threw the game-ending interception to Sauce Gardner.
Ulbrich was asked after the game if he was considering taking a knee.
“We did that, but at the same time we wanted to be aggressive there. We wanted points.” “They had some success offensively. We wanted to put the nail in the coffin.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said punter Thomas Morstead asked him on the sideline why he didn't time it and kick a field goal.
“If we were 10-3, I probably would have gotten down on my knees and kicked a field goal,” Rodgers said. “We're 3-10. We were. I'm glad we were able to go for it and get it back on defense. I'm proud of them for being able to stop there.”
Rodgers said he expected Ulbrich to allow a touchdown as he gave the Jets 30 points for the first time this season.
Rodgers led the team with 45 yards rushing. This is the second-best total by a 40-year-old player since the merger, behind Doug Flutie's 53 yards in 2003.
“It's been a while since I've led a team and led the rush,” Rodgers said. “I take great pride in my minimal athletic ability. This is what I trained so hard for those nine months, coming back early in three months and coming back all the way in six months. It was to be able to move around. Obviously, you all know that. You've seen it for the past few weeks.
Safety Jalen Mills (chest) and cornerback Michael Carter (back) are out with injuries. …TE Tyler Conklin missed the game due to personal reasons and did not play in the game. …Rookie WR Malachi Coley was inactive for the second straight week.
