The Jets fail to reunite Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams

PITTSBURGH – Two scenes in the New York Jets' postgame locker room told the story of their 37-15 loss Sunday night to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Newly signed wide receiver Davante Adams, surrounded by reporters, appeared in disbelief that an offense with so much talent managed only two touchdowns and was shut out in the second half.

“That's almost what makes you more upset, knowing that you have these kinds of weapons and you're coming up short…” he said.

As Adams spoke, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Garrett Wilson — in the back corner of the room — hugged each other for several seconds. It was a comforting hug. Wilson blamed himself for the Jets' fourth straight loss and said his third-quarter drop – intercepted by nickelback Beanie Bishop Jr. – was the turning point.

It was an evening like this for the Jets (2-5): emotional, frustrating and bitterly disappointing. They are 0-2 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the fired Robert Saleh.

Adams' highly anticipated Jets debut and his reunion with Rodgers generated some early buzz, but no fireworks. It was a tough night for Rodgers (two interceptions) and his two star receivers, as Adams and Wilson combined for just eight receptions and 91 yards on 18 targets.

“I have to play better,” said Rodgers, who has five interceptions in the last three games. “That's the key, I have to play better. We have to find a way to run the ball better so we can make passes.”

The Jets played well in the first 20 minutes, taking a 15-6 lead on a 1-yard scoring pass from Rodgers to tight end Tyler Conklin. After that the crime disappeared. Just before halftime, Rodgers threw the ball over the middle to Wilson, who was deflected by Bishop.

“A damn interception,” Rodgers called it, taking the blame.

It was a catalyst; The Steelers converted the turnover into a touchdown and the score was 15-13 at halftime. Rodgers said there was no energy at halftime – or before the game, for that matter, a pretty startling admission.

“It felt like the energy — and this starts with me — the energy, for whatever reason at halftime, was a little flat,” Rodgers said. “It also felt like it was flat before the game…So I'm looking at myself and what I can do to bring more energy, but we all have to do better.”

Rodgers added: “I mean, Sunday Night Football on NBC, the only show on television. I live for these games and I just don’t fully understand why the energy went down a little.”

Acquiring Adams should provide a spark and get the offense going. He was targeted on the first play of the game and the throw was wide, out of his hands – a foreshadowing of the evening. Adams played 53 of 55 snaps on offense, but managed just three catches for 30 yards on nine targets.

Adams, who missed his last three games with the Las Vegas Raiders due to a hamstring injury, said there is no rust between him and Rodgers. He attributed the unproductive evening to the circumstances of the game. He expressed optimism about the offense's potential.

“I’m fired up, man,” he said. “I'm in a bad mood – we lost the game – … but I'm still excited to see what this football team can do. There is a lot of talent. I mean, the offense that we have, the weapons that we have, when I'm in the huddle several times today, I just look around (at the talent) and it's kind of crazy.

Rodgers, who appeared to be hampered by a left hamstring injury, completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards. He struggled to get the ball to his wideouts as he completed just 13 of 25 attempts. He also seemed hesitant to make a downfield throw; he didn't throw a pass longer than 19 yards. His most effective play was throwing the ball to running back Breece Hall, who had six catches for 103 yards.

On their second possession of the second half, Rodgers looked for Wilson again – a good ball, but it bounced off him straight to Bishop. He returned it to the 1-yard line, setting up another touchdown.

“I’m on fire, man. I'm in a bad mood – we lost the game – … but I'm still excited to see what this football team can do. There is a lot of talent. I mean.”, the offense we have, the weapons we have, when I'm in the huddle several times today, I just look around (at the talent) and it's kind of crazy.

Jets WR Davante Adams

“I gotta catch the damn ball,” Wilson said. “I’m playing shit right now. I have to change that. I don't take it lightly. That was the reason why we lost the game at the end of the day. (That) shit doesn’t work.” That can’t happen.

“It's like a culmination where I've picked up bad habits of not attacking the ball in play and suddenly I have to sort it out. I have good hands. I have to use my hands and catch the ball.” damn ball.

The Jets, who started the season with Super Bowl ambitions, travel to the New England Patriots (1-6) and basically have to win. One more loss and they could be toast by Halloween.

“This game, especially the second half, is not what defines this team,” said Ulbrich. “It’s not good enough and that starts with me and the coaching staff. We can all give more and we will give more. We have what we need. That's not who we are. Extremely disappointed.”