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Monday Night Football got kicked off with excitement in Week 1 with the Jets and Bills going to overtime. In that thrilling matchup, New York’s Xavier Gipson returned a punt 65-yard to the house to seal the win.
While the excitement on the field had Jets fans elated come game’s end, the fanbase went through a wave of emotions in the season opener. It started on the team’s first offensive drive when newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a leg injury. That injury hurt not only the hearts of New York fans, but the wallets of others throughout the NFL world.
Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury on just the fourth play for the New York offense. After being taken to the ground by a Buffalo defender, the passer was slow to get up. While initially not seeming catastrophic, the hit landed Rodgers out of the game and in a walking boot.
The severity of that injury will likely end Rodgers’ season before it got started, giving Jets fans another dose of Zach Wilson. Many are already hoping to see a change in the upcoming NFL schedule as New York was expected to play in a number of primetime matchups.
NFL followers are also worried about the fantasy football and betting implications. Many suffered horrific beats following the injury.
With MNF being the last game of the week, a number of fantasy football players entered the night needing just one point from Aaron Rodgers to bring home a Week 1 win. They were left with potentially the worst beat of the early season.
Buddy of mine about to take the worst L in fantasy football history pic.twitter.com/tncwlKjofk
— JB (@OldTownCards) September 12, 2023
My buddy won his Fantasy Matchup by .06 because of the Aaron Rodgers injury 😳🤯 pic.twitter.com/zeRwpqaqaX
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) September 12, 2023
The injury affected the gambling world, too, particularly bettors who booked one specific promotion that needed Rodgers to throw for more than 0.5 yards. Sites listed seeming “locks” in hopes of adding new players. Somehow, the new user promos didn’t cash.
This could be a sweat pic.twitter.com/qYJFWGZRtE
— Not Eli Drinkwitz (@NotEliDrinkwitz) September 11, 2023
When you took the Aaron Rodgers new user boost over .5 passing yards pic.twitter.com/Rf22V5RIGS
— Fantasy Points (@FantasyPts) September 12, 2023
And don’t forget about those who took overs on Aaron Rodgers’ season totals or expected the Jets to surpass the 9.5-win mark.
Everyone that took an over for Rodgers passing yards now pic.twitter.com/FG9EXsYKnR
— noah maddox (fake parody) (@noahmaddox23) September 12, 2023
At least New York won despite the injury and a relatively poor offensive showing, so the win totals could still be alive.
Still, it was certainly a tough day for many in the NFL world.