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Despite the addition of Adams, Rodgers and Jets reeling after another loss
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Despite the addition of Adams, Rodgers and Jets reeling after another loss

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets insist the season won’t be lost despite the recent signing of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.

Rodgers and Adams reunited in New York after the Jets acquired the star wide receiver from Las Vegas earlier this week. But during their first game with the Jets, the two failed to recreate the on-field connection they had in Green Bay, as Pittsburgh used a strong second half to claim a 37-15 win on Sunday night.

“You can see the great synergy,” said interim coach Jeff Ulbrich. “You can see the relationship they had and the same page they were on. At the same time, it’s been a second since they played together. I imagine the relationship and production between these two will grow as we move forward.”

New York played its second game with Ulbrich as interim coach after Robert Saleh was fired on Oct. 8, but the Jets fell to 2-5 overall and snapped their first four-game losing streak since a five-game losing streak last game prevent season.

Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Adams was targeted nine times, including on the Jets’ first offensive play of the game, but only managed three catches for 30 yards.

“I threw him a long shot the first time,” Rodgers said. “He kind of stumbled over a deep cross, but I felt like we were on the same page on that one.”

Adams caught 615 passes from Rodgers for 7,517 yards and 68 touchdowns in eight seasons together in Green Bay. Adams sat out the Raiders’ last three games with a hamstring injury that coincided with a trade request.

Adams, a three-time All-Pro, had 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown with the Raiders this season. Adams has had 100 or more catches in five of his last six seasons, including a career-high 123 in 2021 with Rodgers in Green Bay.

“I wouldn’t say it’s rust,” Adams said. “We can continue to get to a better side. It’s just football. It doesn’t always work perfectly.”

Thanks to touchdowns on two of their first five possessions, the Jets built a 15-6 lead. Breece Hall scored on a 13-yard run and Tyler Conklin caught a 1-yard play-action pass from Rodgers.

Pittsburgh scored 31 unanswered points after Conklin’s touchdown. Rodgers threw two game-winning interceptions to Beanie Bishop, New York fumbled, Pittsburgh blocked a field goal and the Jets turned the ball over on downs on their next five series. Hall had 114 yards from scrimmage in the first half but was limited to just 27 yards the rest of the way.

After the game, Rodgers complained to Bishop about his first interception.

“It was a bad throw,” Rodgers said. “For some reason it just changed the whole energy of the game.”

Star pass rusher Haason Reddick ended his long stint with the Jets and will report to the team on Monday. He hasn’t played this season while in a contract dispute with the Jets, who acquired him from Philadelphia in March to boost their pass rush.

New York had the second-best defense entering Sunday’s game but managed just one sack as Russell Wilson and the Steelers combined for 409 yards of offense and a season-high 37 points, the first time since 2020 that Pittsburgh scored at least 30 points in consecutive Play.

Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowler, has 58 sacks in seven NFL seasons but returns to a team reeling from another loss.

“Everything is still right in front of us,” Rodgers said. “We have to somehow keep the faith in the locker room and start a run. We can’t win 10 times in a row unless we win the first time.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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