Cheat Sheet: No new coach for dramatic jets

Aaron Rodgers and the Jets seemed like a game, but not necessarily a good one.

Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but in recent years he has leaned toward the darker side of the bizarre. The Jets are mired in dysfunction that starts at the top with owner Woody Johnson, who is prone to bouts of impulsiveness.

That’s how Rodgers came to the Jets in the first place. And that’s why, after another tumultuous week in which coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in London that dropped them to 2-3, the Jets are still trying to make amends to escape from the mess.

The blame immediately shifted to Rodgers, whose relationship with Saleh seemed shaky at best — made particularly clear when Rodgers awkwardly rebuffed Saleh’s attempted hug on the sideline in the final moments of the Jets’ 24-3 victory over the Patriots in September. 19 at Meadowlands.

Both Rodgers and Saleh dismissed the social media criticism that the scene generated. And maybe it really was much ado about nothing. Who in the public eye actually has a great relationship with Rodgers?

Rodgers insisted he had nothing to do with Saleh’s firing. Although he probably has a fingerprint or two on it, he might be right this time. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Johnson apparently fired Saleh himself in a fit of anger following the defeat in London, where Johnson was U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021. However, Johnson was “embarrassed” to lose in London. It was a close game against an undefeated team.

It’s a pure soap opera. According to CBS Sports, Saleh wanted to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hacket – a friend of Rodgers from his time with the Packers. But Johnson took matters into his own hands.

Hackett didn’t get away unscathed. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ defensive coordinator, stripped Hackett of his game-calling duties. So Hackett is the offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator Todd Downing will call the plays and Ulbrich is the head coach.

Rodgers is still the quarterback, and even that could be a problem. He has a passer rating of 62.4 with two touchdowns and three interceptions over the last two games.

So if Johnson hopes to fire the coach, he could be in for a disappointment.

BEST BET

INVOICES at JETS

Time: Monday, 7:15 p.m., ESPN.

Line: Bills by 2½.

In total: 41.

Records (Total/ATS): Bills 3-2/2-3; Nozzles 2-3/2-3.

Choose: Bills 27, Jets 13.

TOP GAMES

BROWNS at EAGLES

Time: Midday.

Line: Eagles at 9½.

In total: 43.

Records (Total/ATS): Browns 1-4/1-4; Eagles 2-2/2-2.

Outlook: The Eagles flopped against the Buccaneers but are coming off a bye and could have WR DeVonta Smith (concussion), WR AJ Brown (hamstring injury) and LT Lane Johnson (concussion) back. The Eagles are 3-0 after the bye under Nick Sirianni, including a 21-17 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead last season. Browns and Deshaun Watson are going downhill.

Choose: Eagles 31, Browns 13.

TEXANS at PATRIOTS

Time: Midday.

Line: Texans at 7.

In total: 38.

Records (Total/ATS): Texans 4-1/1-3-1; Patriots 1-4/1-3-1.

Outlook: A week after shutting out Bills QB Josh Allen (9:30, 131 yards, 56.4 points), the Texans face Drake Maye, who is making his first NFL start. First-round QBs making their first start are 1-11 SU over the last four seasons, with the Bears’ Caleb Williams the lone winner. Pats have lost four straight since their opening win against the Bengals.

Choose: Texans 24, Patriots 7.

BENGALS at GIANTS

Time: 7:20 p.m., NBC 5.

Line: Bengals by 3½.

In total: 49½.

Records (Total/ATS): Bengals 1-4/2-3; Giants 2-3/2-2-1.

Outlook: Joe Burrow has regained momentum since returning from a season-ending injury and was at his best against the Ravens last week – 30-for-39, 392 yards, 5 touchdowns and a 137.0 passer rating. He can’t play defense, but he won’t have to against a Giants team that’s suffering disappointment after a road upset by the Seahawks.

Choose: Bengals 31, Giants 19.

OTHER GAMES

BEARS vs. JAGUARS

Time: 8:30 a.m., London, NFL, Fox 32.

Line: Bears at 2½. In total: 44.

Records (Total/ATS): Bears 3-2/3-1-1; Jaguars 1-4/2-3.

Outlook: The Bears have won two in a row, albeit against the undermanned Rams (1-4) and the upstream Panthers (1-4). Still, their progress on offense with rookie Caleb Williams seems legitimate, and the Jaguars haven’t moved up that far in the class – although Trevor Lawrence is always a wild card. Games in London can be difficult, especially given the Jaguars’ experience, so be careful as a bettor.

Choose: Bears 23, Jaguars 20.

COMMANDERS at RAVENS

Time: Noon, CBS 2.

Line: Ravens at 6½. In total: 52½.

Records (Total/ATS): Commanders 4-1/4-1; Ravens 3-2/3-2.

Outlook: The Commanders held the lead behind rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in a 34-13 victory over the Browns. The Ravens defense hasn’t been what it used to be, but it’s looking to respond after being torched by Joe Burrow (5 TDs). The bigger challenge may be on defense, against Lamar Jackson and a Ravens offense that ranks first in yards and third in scoring with 28, 35 and 41 points in the last three games.

Choose: Ravens 30, Commanders 23.

COLTS at TITANS

Time: Midday.

Line: Titans at 2½. In total: 43½.

Records (Total/ATS): colt 2-3/4-1; Titans 1-3/1-3.

Outlook: The Colts are in a tough situation at QB, where veteran Joe Flacco gives them the best chance to win, but injured Anthony Richardson (oblique) is currently their long-term future. Flacco has a 115.6 passer rating (5 TDs, 0 INTs, 70%) in two games in place of Richardson. With Richardson getting healthy, Colts coach Shane Steichen has a big decision to make. The Titans say goodbye.

Choose: Colts 24, Titans 20.

STEELERS at RAIDERS

Time: 3:05 p.m

Line: Steelers up 3. In total: 36½.

Records (Total/ATS): Steelers 3-2/3-2; Raiders 2-3/2-3.

Outlook: The Steelers faltered late against the Cowboys, allowing a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown in the final five minutes of a 20-17 home loss to the Cowboys. But it’s QB Justin Fields and his offense who are there after just 226 yards. With Russell Wilson healthy, Fields has to be more than just better than he was with the Bears.

Choose: Steelers 18, Raiders 16.

CARDINALS at PACKERS

Time: Noon, Fox 32.

Line: Packers at 5. In total: 49½.

Records (Total/ATS): Cardinals 2-3/3-2; Packers 3-2/3-2.

Outlook: Packers QB Jordan Love is finding his groove, getting Romeo Doubs back from suspension and could get Christian Watson back from injury. You can’t give up on the Cardinals, who suffered a 24-23 loss to the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Choose: Packer 27, Cards 17.

Privateer at SAINTS

Time: Midday.

Line: Buccaneers by 2½. In total: 42½.

Records (Total/ATS): Buccaneers 3-2/3-2; Saints 2-3/3-2.

Outlook: The Saints and QB Derek Carr have faded from a red-hot start, scoring 12, 24 and 13 points in three losses after scoring 47 and 44 points in wins over the Panthers and Cowboys. After losing to the Falcons in overtime, the Bucs should bounce back after a long layoff.

Choose: Buccaneers 31, Saints 24.

CHARGERS at BRONCOS

Time: 3:05 p.m

Line: Chargers from 3. In total: 35½.

Records (Total/ATS): Chargers 2-2/2-2; Broncos 3-2/4-1.

Outlook: At some point, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will have to work his QB magic on Justin Herbert, who is averaging a career-low 144.5 yards per game (starting at 277.8) and 6.4 yards per attempt (7.6). ) reached.

Choose: Chargers 24, Broncos 20.

LIONS at COWBOYS

Time: 3:25 p.m., Fox 32.

Line: Lions at 3. In total: 52.

Records (Total/ATS): Lions 3-1/3-1; Cowboys 3-2/2-2-1.

Outlook: The Cowboys weren’t as invincible at home (1-1) as they were last year, when they were 8-0 with six wins by 20 or more points. Dan Campbell will get his team fit after the bye.

Choose: Lions 30, Cowboys 28.

FALKEN at PANTHERS

Time: 3:25 p.m

Line: Falcons at 6.

Records (Total/ATS): Falcons 3-2/2-3; Panthers 1-4/1-4.

Outlook: Kirk Cousins ​​​​is finding his rhythm with a new team and survived season-ending Achilles tendon surgery last year – rushing for 504 yards and 4 touchdowns in an OT win over the Bucs. Panthers stick with Andy Dalton for now.

Choose: Falcons 31, Panthers 23.