Aaron Rodgers leads the Jets to a stirring fourth-quarter breakout

Jeff Ulbrich called it “magical.” Aaron Rodgers said it was “special.”

Regardless of the adjectives, the Jets’ 32-25 win in Jacksonville on Sunday was memorable and, in many ways, a relief. After losing four straight games, the Green and White (4-10) put together a strong, complementary performance in which the defense held firm when it mattered most and the offensive line gave Rodgers time to hold off the Jaguars’ (3-3) defense. 11) and experienced wide receiver Davante Adams had a feast in the second half.

“You play for the love of the game, moments like this are where you can come up big with your guys,” said Rodgers, who was 16 of 30 for 289 yards and 3 TD passes while leading the Jets’ rushing attack with 45 yards on 6 Run – and scored the 34th game-winning drive of his storied 20-year NFL career.

“It’s been a long time since I led a team in rushing,” Rodgers said, smiling ear to ear after the game. “I’m very proud of my minimal athleticism, but you know, that’s what I trained so hard for in those nine months (after his Achilles tendon injury last year). You know, three (months) to try to get back early, and then the six to get back to where I was supposed to be moving. You can see that in the last few weeks.

“You know, it’s too little, too late, but still special, it doesn’t detract from it at all, doesn’t steal any of the joy, doesn’t take away from the fun that’s about to be on the bus,” and then on the plane, and we have another bus back to the facility.”

The Jaguars largely managed to keep the ball out of Rodgers’ hands for most of the first half. The Jets only had three possessions. Jacksonville dominated in time of possession (21:08 to 8:52), yardage (203 to 104) and third downs (6 of 8 to 1 of 4), but led only 13-7 at halftime. Those stats weren’t all that different in the second half – the Jags finished the game with a lead of 34-24 to 25-36 in time of possession and 77 to 54 in offense.

What was different was the connection between Rodgers and Adams, who was held without a catch in the first 30 minutes, then burst out with 9 grabs for 198 yards and two touchdowns that breathed new life into his team and ultimately led to the stunning victory.

“Tae (Adams) is a fantastic player,” Rodgers said. After missing him on a play in the first half, Rodgers said Adams came back to the huddle and said, “You don’t trust me anymore?” second half.”