In a stunning turn of events, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers added another pick-six to his resume, bringing his career total to five. However, that wasn’t the only noteworthy occurrence for the future Hall of Famer on that fateful day.
In a rare feat, Rodgers threw three interceptions in a single game for only the sixth time in his illustrious career. The final interception, a spectacular catch by Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore as he was falling down, sealed Rodgers’ fate for the day.
The first instance of Rodgers tossing three picks came early in his career, during Week 4 of his debut season as a starter in 2008. The Jets suffered a 30-21 loss to Tampa, marking the beginning of a concerning trend for the young quarterback. The second occurrence occurred later that same year, in Week 12 against the Saints, leading to a 51-29 defeat.
No. 3 on the list happened in 2009, once again against Tampa in a 38-28 loss. Eight years later, in a 31-24 matchup against Carolina, Rodgers added a fourth three-interception game to his record. His penultimate performance of this nature took place on Thanksgiving in his final season with the Packers, resulting in a loss to Detroit.
It’s no surprise that Rodgers’ teams have yet to secure a victory in games where he throws three interceptions. While this outcome is typical given the circumstances, Rodgers’ track record in critical matchups is worth noting.
Twice Rodgers has fallen short in NFC Championships when facing off against opposing quarterbacks with three or more picks. In the 2014 clash against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, Rodgers couldn’t overcome a four-interception game. More recently, in the 2020 showdown with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, Rodgers found himself on the losing end once again despite Brady’s three interceptions.
The narrative surrounding Rodgers and his interception struggles continues to evolve, with each game adding a new chapter to his legacy. Only time will tell if the gifted quarterback can rewrite the script and overcome this recurring obstacle in his otherwise storied career.