Sports
NFL QB stock report, Week 9: Why the Aaron Rodgers-Jets experiment has failed
As the New York Jets fell to 2-6, it’s looking more and more like the Aaron Rodgers experiment is never going to meet expectations.
Perhaps the expectations were never realistic.
Rodgers is coming off a torn Achilles, and he’s also dealt with knee, ankle and hamstring injuries this season. As such, he’s on pace for one of the worst seasons of his career, and he might lose double-digit starts for the first time since 2008 when he took over for Brett Favre.
So, has it been due to bad injury luck, skill deterioration, organizational issues or a little bit of everything?
“(Rodgers is) trying to play as if he’s 10 years younger, and he’s not close to the same player,” a defensive coach, granted anonymity so he could speak freely, told The Athletic. “He can still throw it in a clean pocket with the best of the best, (but his) mobility is not the same. He’s jumpy and has missed some throws I’ve never seen him miss.”
A couple of coaches who have studied Rodgers said his footwork has been out of whack, and he’s made some mistakes that would have been out of character from his time with the Green Bay Packers, notably much of his performance in London against the Minnesota Vikings and that late first-half interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He needs the run game, play action, screen game more than ever, but that’s not what he wants,” the coach added. “He wants to play the way he’s most comfortable. And he doesn’t have the offensive line or skill group to play that way. Getting (Davante Adams) will help. There’s always a chance he gets hot. I’ll never underestimate his ability as long as he’s still playing. He’s always turned it on when people have doubted him the most.”
Rodgers had a solid statistical showing Sunday in the loss to the Patriots, but he’s now carved them up twice. In two games against them, Rodgers has completed 69.8 percent of his passes for 514 yards (257 per game), four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 115.4 passer rating. In all other games, he’s completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,382 yards (230.3 per game), eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 76.4 rating.
“Rodgers’ skill erosion is real,” an executive said. “Not being able to extend plays with his feet puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line to be firm up the middle and the playmakers to get open quicker. I won’t be surprised if you see more of the screen game being put into their offense. They really need to ride Breece Hall more as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.”
The rush gets HOME on 3rd down 😤
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/2RvF7RzR7g
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2024
The Jets had visions of Super Bowls when they acquired Rodgers in 2023, but their playoff drought is likely about to hit a 14th consecutive season. Rodgers, who turns 41 in December, is running short on time to change the narrative of his Jets tenure.
“Rodgers has been so good for so long that it’s almost like people believed he was immune from the effects of tearing his Achilles at 40 years old,” another executive said. “That’s a difficult injury for a young player. To be 40 and play at that (expected) level, that’s really hard, and they can’t protect him.
“At his age, Aaron is coming off a career-ending injury in most sports. To not have the footwork, quickness and mobility, that’s fine. We should expect that. But for some reason, the expectation is he should be looking like the MVP from 2021. That’s not living in reality. He’s probably doing better than most 40-year-olds with that injury. It’s almost unfair to him to ask him to be the driver of that team in those circumstances. But there’s a double-edged sword that maybe he doesn’t realize he’s not the same Aaron he was in 2021.”
Mahomes still ‘elite’
Patrick Mahomes is on pace for the worst statistical season of his career, but there’s not nearly as much concern about the three-time champ.
“Mahomes is playing at an elite level,” a defensive coach said. “(He’s) doing what it takes week in and week out, has complete command of the situations. His footwork in the pocket is as good as I’ve seen. (He’s still) growing every week as a player. Best competitor in the game.
“He just wills his team to winning.”
GO DEEPER
How Chiefs newcomer DeAndre Hopkins helped Travis Kelce have his best game of the season
The struggles are more about the situation around Mahomes. They’ve had numerous issues at both tackle spots. Wideouts Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown and running back Isiah Pacheco have been out with significant injuries. Tight end Travis Kelce has dropped off quickly, although he finally caught fire Sunday against the Raiders.
“The Pacheco injury is the biggest factor that not many people talk about,” an executive said. “They obviously miss the play, but also the physicality and spark he brings the offense. Kelce is getting older. It’s noticeable on tape that he’s losing some (yards after the catch).”
Yet, the Chiefs are the NFL’s lone unbeaten team. Credit their defense, for sure, but Mahomes has made a host of clutch plays in the fourth quarter to seal some close victories.
WE’RE NOT WORTHY. pic.twitter.com/8dYWhc0ybA
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 27, 2024
“Mahomes’ issue right now is injuries at receiver,” another executive said. “(DeAndre) Hopkins isn’t a stretch-the-field player anymore. It’s more of an issue of protection and issues with balance, which puts a lot of pressure on the QB. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Mahomes. He’s managing a little bit of a s— show in terms of a personnel standpoint, their depth, changing out guys, offensive linemen, injuries.”
The Chiefs acquired Hopkins last week and Pacheco is expected to return at some point this season, so help is on the way. All the while, Mahomes is trying to figure out what works with the rest of his supporting cast, not unlike last season before he turned it on in the playoffs.
If their opponents can’t take down Mahomes when it’s looking like this, they might be in real trouble if the Chiefs figure it out down the stretch. And it’s a good bet that happens because they almost always do.
Biggest movers
There’s been a lot of stability in the top five of late, but Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Brock Purdy have been knocking on the door. Goff is the latest to climb to No. 6, and a two-spot jump in the top 10 is a significant rise. Goff is squarely involved in the MVP race.
Jayden Daniels made his top-10 debut with a two-spot jump of his own. He’s been electric this season and just had a signature moment with the Hail Mary to shock Caleb Williams and the Bears. Daniels, who has spent four consecutive weeks in the top 13, and Lamar Jackson are the only two QBs who have been in the rankings every week but never fallen back.
A;FK;JD;KJF;LAKEJFLKJVAL;KEJL;JF;EFJ;LFAKJ
JAYDEN DANIELS HAIL MARY! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/BsQ0Z84Rko
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
On the flip side, Dak Prescott’s six-spot fall occurred after the Cowboys’ latest flat performance on national television. Prescott has thrown two interceptions in three consecutive games, including back-to-back losses to the Lions and 49ers, as the Cowboys have fallen to the 13th seed in the NFC and two games out of the playoff picture.
GO DEEPER
Week 8 NFL roundtable: Cowboys-49ers, NFC North prowess, Bucs injuries and Browns’ woes
Injury notes
Derek Carr returned to the rankings because Saints coach Dennis Allen said Monday he’s “optimistic” Carr would play this week. Carr slid in the rankings, reaching No. 13 in Week 3 but falling to No. 21 in Weeks 5-6 before the oblique injury. He is a decisive upgrade over Spencer Rattler, who debuted at No. 28 before tumbling last week to No. 32.
Bryce Young also returned to the rankings while Andy Dalton missed Sunday’s game with a thumb injury. Coach Dave Canales hasn’t announced who will start this week. Young debuted at No. 25 but dropped to No. 30 before he was benched.
Jordan Love (groin) and Drake Maye (concussion) remained in the rankings because they have not been declared out this week. Will Levis (shoulder) remained in the rankings, as he could return to the starting lineup this week.
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(Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images)
Sports
‘Demon’ Finn Balor settles score with Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
Sports
Ryan Ward has a solid debut, but bullpen blows it again as Dodgers lose to Rockies
DENVER — What do you know? The once-stampeding Dodgers have been caged by the Colorado Rockies.
With a 9-6 loss Sunday at Coors Field, the two-time defending World Series champions lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Dodgers again couldn’t hold a lead, letting the Rockies tee off for 15 hits.
Nor could the Dodgers keep up offensively at the hitter-friendly park — though they put some pressure on in the ninth inning, when Shohei Ohtani led off with a ground-rule double and the Dodgers scored twice to cut the lead to three runs. Then the new guy, Ryan Ward, made the final out in his big league debut, robbed of a hit and a chance to keep chipping away by a diving Troy Johnston in right field.
Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers. That included closer Edwin Díaz, who came on in the eighth and promptly gave up three singles, a walk and two runs before being pulled with the Dodgers trailing 8-4.
Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki gave up three runs on seven hits in 4-2/3 innings Sunday against the Rockies in Denver.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
He and Blake Treinen combined to face eight batters without getting an out.
“They both weren’t sharp,” said manager Dave Roberts, who had theories but not many answers — though he did have real concern, especially about Díaz, who recently had his right knee checked out by the medical staff.
Roberts said the closer wanted to pitch after nine days off, even though it wasn’t a save situation. But his velocity was slightly down (95.4 mph vs. 95.8) and so, “today was a tough evaluation,” the manager said.
“It really was,” Roberts said. “Because, you know, I know what it’s supposed to look like, and when it doesn’t look like that, it gets a little concerning, really.”
And losing for the second time to the Rockies, who are now 9-13? Being in danger of losing their four-game series, after arriving in Denver without having lost to a National League opponent, against a club that hasn’t made the postseason since 2018?
It’s well below the bar the Dodgers have set, and it added a bitter note to Ward’s otherwise sweet debut.
Ward punched a big league clock for the first time wearing No. 67 and cranked his first hit off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen in the fourth inning, lining a changeup to right field for a single that scored Andy Pages, made it 3-0 and got the 20-some members of Ward’s party up, jumping in place, hugging and high-fiving.
“When I was on first base, I got to see them all jumping around up there,” Ward said. “That was a pretty special moment.”
He also singled in the sixth and swung on the first pitch in his first at-bat, a fly out in the third inning.
The Dodgers gave Sasaki a 2-0 lead in the third. Alex Freeland drove in Hyeseong Kim, and Shohei Ohtani doubled in Freeland — and extended his career-best on-base streak to 51 games, moving past Willie Keeler into third place in Dodgers history.
Sasaki went 4-2/3 innings, threw 78 pitches and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two. His ERA after his fourth start: 6.11, worst in the six-man rotation.
The Dodgers fell behind 6-5 in the seventh when Treinen — who was cleared Friday after he was struck in the head by a batted ball during batting practice — gave up four consecutive hits, including a two-run home run by Mickey Moniak.
The result likely will be a minor detail when Ward tells the story years from now about getting the call after first baseman Freddie Freeman was placed on the paternity list.
The Dodgers’ No. 19 prospect and reigning Pacific Coast League MVP spent the last seven years in the minors. Last season, he hit 36 home runs and drove in 122 runs with a .937 on-base-plus-slugging percentage for triple-A Oklahoma City, and he has a 1.020 OPS and four homers this year.
Ward made it a point to improve his chase rate, draw more walks and get on base more frequently, everything the Dodgers asked of him. He also passed the broadest patience test.
“The plate discipline, being a better hitter … he’s done all that,” Roberts said. “He’s improved his defense. But honestly, for me, just not to let his lack of opportunity in the big leagues deter him. That’s easy when you get frustrated and let it affect performance, and he hasn’t done that.”
If anything, Ward said, the waiting made him better.
“I used it to keep going. ‘OK, if I’m not there yet, what do I have to do to get there?’” he said. “‘What part of my game do I need to work on to keep getting better?’
“I used it as fire to keep working.”
That will be the Dodgers’ assignment too.
In the finale of the four-game series Monday, the Dodgers are expected to start left-hander Justin Wrobleski (2-0, 2.12) against Colorado left-hander Jose Quintana (0-1, 5.63).
Sports
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd
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LAS VEGAS – Danhausen’s curse may be real after all – just ask Stephen A. Smith and the New York Mets.
While the latter dropped their 10th game in a row, Smith got his share of the curse on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Smith was in attendance for WWE’s premier event of the year and heard massive boos from the crowd.
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith was sitting ringside to watch the action. The ESPN star appeared on the videoboard above the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He appeared to embrace the reaction and smiled through it.
The boos came after Danhausen appeared on “First Take” on Friday – much to the chagrin of the sports pundit. Smith appeared perplexed by Danhausen’s appearance. Smith said he heard about Danhausen and called him a “bad luck charm.”
Danhausen said Smith had been “rude” to him and put the dreaded “curse” on the commentator.
WWE STAR DANHAUSEN SAYS METS ‘CURSE’ ISN’T EXACTLY LIFTED AS TEAM DROPS NINTH STRAIGHT GAME
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith is far from the only one dealing with the effects of the “curse.”
Danhausen agreed to “un-curse” the Mets during their losing streak. However, he told Fox News Digital earlier this week that there was a reason why the curse’s removal didn’t take full effect.
“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” Danhausen said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”
Danhausen enters the arena before his match against Kit Wilson during SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on April 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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On “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE stars like The Miz and Kit Wilson were also targets of Danhausen’s curse.
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