To cap Week 6 action, the New York Jets hosted the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in a crucial AFC East showdown.
After the Jets looked like they were going to let the Bills bust this one open in the first half, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense got the ball back with just seconds to go, down 20-10 before halftime. The Bills would receive the second half kickoff, as well.
Buffalo had just come off a touchdown drive and the Jets defense was reeling; struggling with penalties, containing Josh Allen and simple, missed assignments.
What the Bills defense might have failed to realize, before taking the field against Rodgers with only 21 seconds to go in the second quarter, is the fact that this was no ordinary quarterback. First off, 21 seconds might as well be an eternity for Rodgers.
Second, Rodgers is no stranger to the Hail Mary. And, on the final play of the half, Rodgers and the offense were within Hail Mary striking distance.
Just before Rodgers and the Jets offense lined up for the play, ESPN showed a montage of the veteran quarterback's previous Hail Mary touchdown passes.
In poetic fashion, Rodgers proceeded to do it again.
Of course, reactions came flooding in all over the internet, and you just know the ManningCast had the call. During this one, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was on the air with both Peyton and Eli, ironically enough.
The guys react to Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary touchdown pass pic.twitter.com/gnjNNx14s4
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) October 15, 2024
"He does such a great job of buying time and giving them a chance to get down there ... I think that's a touchdown," Peyton commented.
One thing Belichick and Jets fans can agree on is seeing the Bills in misery, and Belichick seemed to offer just a little poke, here.
"Hey, that's Aaron Rodgers ... I'll tell ya, Buffalo's had a lot of trouble with these end of the half, end of the game plays like this," Belichick said.
Patrick Mahomes and all of social media blew up after Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary
Why is Aaron so good at that 😂😂😂
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 15, 2024
Hey, calm down Pat. The last thing this league needs is you learning a new trick.
Vintage Aaron Rodgers
— jack (@jackstrn) October 15, 2024
No other way to explain it, really.
It’s insane that when Rodgers throws a Hail Mary it’s a 50/50 proposition to work. On a HAIL MARY
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 15, 2024
When you put it into perspective, it truly is remarkable.
Good LORD, Aaron Rodgers 😳
— Jordañ (@Jordan_Milam) October 15, 2024
What we were all thinking.
The greatest Hail Mary thrower ever strikes again. Wow.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 15, 2024
Wow, is right, Rich!
How tf is Aaron Rodgers so good/lucky with hail Mary's bro?!? Wow
— Kyle Cooper (@k1ngcoopa24) October 15, 2024
Yeah, we'd err more on the "good" side of that. "Lucky" would be doing it once, Mr. Cooper.
We gotta start calling Hail Marys Aaron Rodgers after that one
— Díjon. (@ThatKingxCold) October 15, 2024
Renaming the play? Interesting proposition.
The Rodgers Hail Mary thing is just such a funny, weird footnote for an all-time player.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 15, 2024
“Yeah, he won 4 MVPs, a Super Bowl, went to 10 Pro Bowls…and oh yeah, he was weirdly incredible at throwing Hail Marys.”
The Athletic's Robert Mays weighed in.
4 successful Hail Marys by ARod is outrageous! 🔥🔥🔥
— J. McCarthy🤘🏾 (@AlphaDE_) October 15, 2024
Yes, indeed it is.
Sorry Doug Flutie, the Hail Mary is owned by Aaron Rodgers
— Reagan Huggins (@ReaganHuggins12) October 15, 2024
No one else, Doug. Sorry, no one else.
Aaron Rodgers Hail Marys need to be studied
— Schwang (@Wyatt_S7) October 15, 2024
"What if I told you..." incoming.