Rogers: Jets are a very angry game, needing to be fun

The New York Jets are “on fire,” losing four straight, according to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And he believes it is up to him to save them.

Rodgers, in his weekly spot on “The Pat McAfee Show” said Tuesday that the Jets are “playing with too much anger and not enough enjoyment.” The four-time MVP, whose leadership has been questioned by pundits with recent criticism of teammate Mike Williams, said he will focus on changing the team's attitude this week.

“The power of faith is a snowball that can start an avalanche, and I think that's what we need,” Rogers said. “It starts with me. I have to bring the right energy every day, especially on game days.

“I think we loosened up, we had good practices, but for whatever reason there was some tightness on game day, and I think it should start with me. … I have to be a. Great leader.”

The Jets (2-5) hit the road Sunday to face the New England Patriots (1-6). After Sunday night's 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers raised eyebrows by saying the team was flat before the game and again at halftime. He contributed to that with a momentum-changing interception late in the second quarter — a “s—ty interception,” he called it.

“We just need to have a little more fun, laugh more to enjoy each other,” she said. “Of course it's fun when you win, but I think there are ways to take some of the pressure off, and that has to start with me this week with my strength and my approach.

“I wasn't just disappointed [interception]But a couple more [throws] I wish I could get back. But we just have to respond to adversity a little bit better, and that starts with me, and I have to lead the way.”

Rodgers, 40, is off to perhaps the worst start of his career. He already has seven interceptions, the most since 2010 after seven games That year, his third as a starter for the Green Bay Packers, he had nine picks in that span

“Confidence is a snowball that can start in an avalanche, and I think that's what we need. It starts with me. I have to bring the right energy every single day and especially on game day.”

Aaron Rodgers

The Jets are 0-2 on the way to falling out of contention since firing Robert Saleh. Their last win was against the Patriots, 24-3 in Week 3. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said there was “some pressure” from the players, including Rodgers.

“I just think he's an amazing person and teammate, and he feels such a strong obligation to this team in the locker room,” Ulbricht said Monday. “It can get us all out of trouble sometimes, myself included.”

Rodgers spoke highly of Ulbricht, but he said the team plays hard and doesn't handle adversity well. And stress, for that matter. Before Pittsburgh, the Jets had dropped three close games in a row. In fact, they had a chance to pull out the win on their final possession in every game. Two of them ended with interceptions on Williams' goal.

After the October 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Rodgers called out Williams for running the wrong route. It's unusual for a quarterback to publicly criticize a player. Williams, who could be considered expendable with the arrival of Davante Adams, insisted he wasn't bothered by it.

Now Rogers wants to blame himself and the crime. Long considered a defensive-minded organization — New York had a top-five defense the past two seasons — Rodgers said it was time for the Jets to make a change.

“I think we just have to adjust that mindset,” he said. “Instead of, 'Hey, let's go play,' it's, 'Hey, let's let the offense win the game.' And I know it seems like a small thing or trivial, but mindset is everything.”