Aaron Rodgers, Jets rout Patriots in electric home opener on Thursday Night Football
Aaron Rodgers of the Jets reacts in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Aaron Rodgers put on a show for the Jets fans who have been waiting more than a year to see him play in person.
The Jets put on a show for everyone watching at home and made it abundantly clear that this team could be a force this season, especially when their offense and defense are as dominant as they were Thursday night.
Rodgers completed 27-of-35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns and led the Jets to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
Chants of “Aa-Ron Rod-gers” filled the stadium multiple times in Rodgers’ first home game since he tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into Week 1 last year. Just like last season, the Jets introduced the offense before the game. Rodgers got the loudest ovation – and then he gave the Jets’ fans a reason to cheer.
“It was a really special night,” Rodgers said. “All those chants are really meaningful. I was kind of hoping for a stop there to go take a final knee on the field. Yeah, special night.”
What happened last year wasn’t on Rodgers’ mind Thursday night.
“I felt a really good calm about it honestly,” he said. “I didn’t think a whole lot about it. It was obviously emotional to come back home the first time since then. But I really think the first week kind of took a lot of the fears and anxiety of playing out. Tonight I felt like I played pretty free.”
It truly is a new era in the Jets-Patriots rivalry.
The Jets (2-1) snapped an eight-game home losing streak against the Pats and have two in a row against them for the first time since 2008-09. The Jets ended a 15-game skid against New England in last season’s finale and Bill Belichick's final game as coach.
The 40-year-old Rodgers didn’t look like the oldest player in the NFL Thursday night, playing his third game in 11 days. He looked fresh and spry. He used his legs to make some throws off schedule and scrambled for two first downs.
“This was kind of a first step in how I know I’m capable of playing,” Rodgers said. “I felt like I was myself.”
Rodgers finished with a passer rating of 118.9. He spread the ball around to eight different receivers.
“He may not be what he used to be, but he still has plenty in this legs,” Robert Saleh said. “His arm is still 30. His mind is still operating at a high level. He was definitely impressive today.”
Tyler Conklin caught five passes for 93 yards. Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard had receiving touchdowns. Breece Hall had 54 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Braelon Allen led the Jets with 55 yards rushing.
Will McDonald followed his three-sack game Sunday in Tennessee with a two-sack performance against the Patriots. The Jets recorded seven sacks and held New England to 139 yards of offense.
Jacoby Brissett was just 12-for-18 for 98 yards. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson had just 23 yards rushing and a fumble.
“I thought we were really good,” Saleh said. “We talk about a style of play and a standard. Just playing relentless effort, 11 hats to the ball and I felt like we did that.”
Rodgers’ goal was to get the offense going early, and he did for the most part.
The Jets controlled this game from the beginning. They led 14-3 at halftime and went ahead by three scores on their first series of the third quarter. Rodgers connected with Wilson for a 2-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-3 with 6:18 to go in the third. He was 6-for-6 on that drive.
Rodgers led the Jets touchdown drives on their second and third possessions. Lazard scored first. He caught a quick pass from Rodgers and took it in from 10 yards out. Cornerback Alex Austin grabbed onto Lazard’s compression undershirt, pulled and tore it. But it didn’t stop Lazard
After McDonald and Micheal Clemons shared a third-down sack to get the Patriots offense off the field, Rodgers engineering a 13-play, 91-yard touchdown drive. Hall scored on a 1-yard run with a key block from Jeremy Ruckert to give the Jets a 14-0 lead with 8:32 left in the half. Hall was initially ruled short, but Robert Saleh challenged the call and it was reversed.
At that point, the Jets were outgaining New England 191 yards to 12.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Rodgers said. “We’ve been improving, but it hasn’t been good enough for some people outside the room. To have a performance like tonight, it feels really good.”
Two-minute drill
Right tackle Morgan Moses left the game late in the third quarter because of a knee injury. He will be re-evaluated Friday. Rookie Olu Fashanu played in his place. … Linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) was inactive. Jamien Sherwood started in his place. … The Jets placed defensive end Jermaine Johnson (torn Achilles) on injured reserve and signed defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes to the active roster. They also elevated linebacker Marcelino McCray-Ball from the practice squad with Mosley down.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
