The Jets finally snapped that ugly five-game skid with a win over the Texans in Week 9. Feels like a breath of fresh air, right? Well, hold on before you start dreaming big. Next up, they’ve got the Cardinals, and while momentum could be on their side, anyone who’s been watching knows it’s a bit more complicated than that.

The season’s been anything but kind for New York—3-6, plenty of close calls, and even some controversy swirling around Aaron Rodgers. Remember Week 6 against the Bills? Rodgers played with fire and nearly found himself in hot water for criticizing the refs, which saw chief Adrian Hill’s crew enforce 22 penalties for 204 yards!

Despite the NFL often issuing fines for players who publicly criticize officials, the organization decided to cut Rodgers a break. “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the league did not fine Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for criticizing officials in the aftermath of a Week 6 Monday night loss to the Bills,” Mike Florio reported.

If that wasn’t enough drama, the league just threw another curveball with an unexpected suspension. This time, it’s former Jet Jimmy Moreland, benched for three games. No official word yet on what landed Moreland in the penalty box, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports he’s out for three games, no questions asked.

And here’s the kicker: even if he had signed with a team, that suspension would have stuck. Moreland hasn’t been on the field since his 2021 stint with the Texans, where he tallied just two tackles in seven games. Guess that’s the reason he went forgotten. But boy, if ‘what could have been’ had a physical appearance, Moreland would’ve been it.

Maybe, just maybe, the Jets could have gone in and brought him back, but it did not happen. So, no point in wondering about what-ifs. Now, their mentality should be to take games week-by-week as they come in.

Aaron Rodgers and the Gang are ready for the next challenge

Another record (well, kind of) in Aaron Rodgers’ name. But you can bet he would have wanted to avoid this one. After that week 6 loss to the Bills, Rodgers didn’t hold back about the officiating, calling out the game’s 22 penalties. “It seemed a little ridiculous,” he said, adding that calls like roughing the passer on him and a “phantom holding call” that cost the Jets a touchdown were way off. No fines came his way for the comments, though—guess he danced on the right side of the league’s “invisible” line.

And since then, A-Rod’s been the vintage gunslinger that he’s known to be. So, no doubt, the Cardinals aren’t about to underestimate Rodgers or the Jets. Sure, New York’s 3-6 record isn’t screaming THREAT by any means. But as Arizona’s safety Budda Baker put it, Rodgers is still “one of the best QBs to play this game.” And Rodgers has a solid set of weapons around him, like Garrett Wilson and recent trade addition Davante Adams (ah! one of A-Rod’s trusted weapons from back in time). They can make any defense sweat.

Add a versatile ground game with backs like Breece Hall, and this Jets offense has more tricks up its sleeve than you’d expect from their record alone. Arizona’s defense knows it won’t be a walk in the park. This matchup might look lopsided on paper, but the Jets have shown flashes of brilliance this season. And of course, Rodgers wants the Gang Green to bask in that playoff joy again. So, expect it to be a thriller.