Aaron Rodgers did it again. While he couldn’t lead the Jets to a win over the Bill during MNF, the 40-year-old showed the world that he’s still got it in him with his 52-yard Hail Mary pass.
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On the New York Jets’ final play of the first half, Rodgers appeared in vintage form and tossed the stunning Hail Mary to Allen Lazard. The long-distance connection gave New York a much-needed adrenaline jolt and helped cut the Buffalo Bills’ halftime edge to three points (20-17).
ANOTHER AARON RODGERS HAIL MARY.
: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/F8OMUzAW9l— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
Rodgers is the king of the Hail Maries. Tonight’s touchdown was the fourth such scoring toss – his first in a Jets uniform.
Each of Rodgers’ first three Hail Mary scores transpired during his time with the Green Bay Packers. His initial success took place one day after his 32nd birthday when he hooked up with tight end Richard Rodgers for a 61-yard game-winning touchdown against the Detroit Lions (27-23).
The second and third Hail Mary touchdowns of his illustrious career occurred in the playoffs. In the 2015 Divisional round, he pulled Green Bay away from the brink of elimination by finding Jeff Janis from 41 yards out at the end of regulation versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The throw came moments after Rodgers linked up with Janis for a 60-yard Hail Mary on 4th-and-20 to keep the Packers alive. Rodgers didn’t wait long to fire another Hail Mary out of his right arm.
The following season – at the end of the first half in the 2016 Wild Card round – he placed a beautiful ball in the bucket of longtime friend Randall Cobb from 42 yards away. The scoring play gave the Packers a 14-6 lead over the New York Giants in a game they went on to win 38-13.
Rodgers’ heroics today didn’t lead to a New York victory. He may never capture a second Super Bowl trophy. But nobody can dispute his title of Hail Mary king.
