"Might as well play Sarcastaball if we're gonna call those things."
East Rutherford, NJ -- October 14, 2024 -- Aaron Rodgers of the Jets leaves the field at the end of the game. The Buffalo Bills came to MetLife Stadium to play the NY Jets. The Jets played their first game under new interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Monday night’s matchup between the Bills and Jets was full of action, with a whopping 22 penalties resulting in 204 yards. After Buffalo’s narrow 23-20 victory, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers shared his thoughts on the game.
His frustration centered around a roughing-the-passer penalty called on Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who had made contact with Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers frustrated with the number of penalties given today
“It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said in a post-game interview, referring to the overall penalty calls. “Yeah, some of them seemed really bad. Including the roughing the passer on me.“
“That’s not roughing the passer. Might as well play Sarcastaball if we’re gonna call those things. And I thought the one on [Jets defensive tackle Javon] Kinlaw was not roughing the passer, either.”
Later, Rodgers pointed out in the same post-game interview that a Jets touchdown by rookie running back Braelon Allen was nullified by a “phantom holding call.”
While the NFL has strict rules on coaches and management criticizing officials, it’s a bit murkier for players. Previously, fines were only issued if a player questioned the officials’ integrity.
Last year, however, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was fined $25,000 for describing the officiating during a win against the Jaguars as “a travesty.”
Rodgers didn’t go that far. His critique was more about the officials’ ability rather than their honesty. Whether or not the league’s office will focus on his bank account remains to be seen.
Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary today
Rodgers added to his legendary reputation by doing something he’s now done four times: he threw a Hail Mary touchdown.
This time, it was Allen Lazard who came down with the 52-yard bomb, leaping to grab it in the end zone while surrounded by Taylor Rapp, Taron Johnson, and Damar Hamlin in the final seconds of the first half.
The miraculous play narrowed the Bills’ lead to 20-17 at halftime.
Despite the big play, the Bills largely controlled the first half, racking up 217 total yards, with Josh Allen accounting for three touchdowns.
How many Hail Marys does Aaron Rodgers have?
Aaron Rodgers now has four Hail Mary touchdowns to his name. His most recent throw adds to his growing legacy of miracle passes, pulling off the improbable when his team needs it most.
Rodgers’ other Hail Marys include a game-winner to Richard Rodgers against the Lions, a wild-card throw to Jeff Janis that pushed a game against Arizona to overtime, and a playoff pass to Randall Cobb at the end of the first half.
It’s safe to say he still holds the crown when it comes to Hail Mary throws.
What does a Hail Mary mean in the NFL?
A Hail Mary in the NFL is a long forward pass thrown toward the end zone, typically as a desperate, last-second attempt to score before time expires. The term comes from the Catholic prayer “Hail Mary,” symbolizing a plea for help.
The first Hail Mary play dates back to 1922, when Notre Dame players recited the prayer before the final play. It gained wider fame when Roger Staubach threw a Hail Mary to Drew Pearson, coining the phrase as he admitted to praying for his receiver to catch it, and catch it they did.
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Image Credit: © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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