New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the NFL’s oldest participant.
At 41, he has proven flashes of the ability that helped him win 4 NFL most-valuable-player awards.
So younger Rams defensive gamers are longing for the chance to play in opposition to the long run Corridor of Famer on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“It’s one of those things,” rookie security Kamren Kinchens stated, “if I can pick him off, it’s a dream come true.”
The Rams, winners of three video games in a row, are atop the NFC West with an 8-6 document. A victory over the Jets would set them up for a vital division recreation in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals and finale in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, each residence video games.
A loss would kill their momentum.
The Jets are 4-10. In early October, proprietor Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh. A couple of month later, Johnson fired common supervisor Joe Douglas.
Regardless of the turmoil, Rodgers has handed for 23 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, for a group that has extra expertise than its woeful document signifies.
Final Sunday, Rodgers handed for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The possibility to play in opposition to, and presumably sack, “a living legend” is thrilling, rookie edge rusher Jared Verse stated.
“He’s one of the dudes in the G.O.A.T conversation — one of the best players that ever lived,” stated Verse, who has 4 ½ sacks. “So to be able to line up across from him and try to make some plays, try to figure out how he reads me and vice versa, it’s going to be exciting.”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a landing by working again AJ Dillon (28) in opposition to the Rams in 2022.
(Morry Gash / Related Press)
In 2022, then-rookie cornerback Cobie Durant performed in opposition to Rodgers within the final of the quarterback’s 18 seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Rodgers accomplished 22 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a landing, with an interception, because the Packers defeated the Rams, 24-12, at Lambeau Subject.
“Probably the fastest I’ve ever seen a ball come out of a quarterback’s hand,” Durant stated. “It was like a missile.”
After struggling a torn Achilles within the 2023 opener, Rodgers’ mobility has not been the identical as when he drove defensive coordinators nuts along with his capacity to increase performs.
Not a lot else has modified, Durant stated.
“He’s still slinging it,” Durant stated.
Chris Shula was a defensive place coach when the Rams performed in opposition to Rodgers in 2018, throughout the 2020 NFC divisional spherical, and in 2021 and 2022.
Now Shula is defensive coordinator, scheming methods to neutralize among the best passers in NFL historical past.
“The game moves so slow for him, you’re not exactly going to be able to trick him,” Shula stated. “He’s kind of seen everything.”
Rodgers’ ball placement makes it particularly troublesome for defensive backs protecting receivers.
“They might be covered,” Shula stated, “but really, they’re never covered, especially with Aaron Rodgers.”
As of late, Rodgers seems to be recapturing a few of his prime kind. In opposition to the Jaguars, he rushed for a team-high 45 yards.
“These last three weeks, he’s really moving around a lot better,” Shula stated. “Kind of looks like his old self.”
Receiver Davante Adams has aided Rodgers’ resurgence.
The connection between Aaron Rodgers (8) and Davante Adams (17) has been reestablished with the Jets.
(Lynne Sladky / Related Press)
Adams and Rodgers performed collectively for eight seasons in Inexperienced Bay earlier than Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. Rodgers and Adams had been reunited in October, when the Raiders traded Adams to the Jets.
Two weeks in the past, in an extra time defeat by the Miami Dolphins, Adams caught 9 passes for 109 yards and a landing. In opposition to the Jaguars, he caught 9 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, one which coated 71 yards.
The Rams secondary is coming off one among its greatest performances of the season. Defensive backs broke up 9 passes, and cornerback Darious Williams intercepted a go, in a 12-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Rodgers is one other stage.
“We know he’s going to make fantastic throws,” security Quentin Lake stated. “It’s our job to minimize his ability to make those explosive plays while also being in positions where we can maybe get a tip that leads to turnover or punch the ball out. All those things.”
Williams is wanting ahead to the problem. Rodgers, Adams and receiver Garrett Wilson are “some of the hottest names in football,” he stated.
“It’s going to be fun, to say the least,” Williams stated.
How a lot the Rams take pleasure in themselves, nonetheless, can be decided by the result.
