Three takeaways from the Jets' Week 3 win over the Patriots

1. This was impressive: It wasn’t just Aaron Rodgers, but let’s start with him. He’s 40 years old, coming back from a torn Achilles tendon, playing his third game in 11 days and he played brilliantly. It was far and away his best game of the three Rodgers completed 77% of his passes (27-of-35) for 281 yards, two touchdowns and had three carries for 18 yards. The running and making plays off-schedule were especially remarkable. This was an inspiring performance. As for the rest of the Jets, really strong effort to cap a rough opening stretch. The Jets gave all-out effort, knowing they will have three days off to rest up and recover. They were flying all over the field and making plays on defense. The offense was the best it’s looked in a long time and it’s going to get better if they can keep everyone healthy and continue to grow. There is concern about right tackle Morgan Moses’ knee. If he misses time, it’s Olu Fashanu time.

2. The defensive line stepped up: These are not the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick Patriots — not even close — but you can’t take away what Jeff Ulbrich’s defense and Aaron Whitecotton’s defensive line did in this game. The Jets were a step (at least) quicker than the Patriots and had Jacoby Brissett bracing to be hit for most of the game. This is a defensive line that lost edge rusher Jermaine Johnson for the year last game with a torn Achilles tendon. It was as if the group dedicated the game to Johnson. Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons each did Johnson’s sack celebration after they brought down Brissett. In all, the Jets had seven sacks, 14 quarterback hits and five tackles for loss. It was an overall team effort to keep the Patriots from getting in the end zone and hold them to 139 yards of offense. But it would hard not to recognize McDonald, last year’s first-round pick. He was relentless rushing the passer. He had two sacks and four quarterback hits.

3. The offense was clicking: This is the Rodgers’ effect. But he also has a lot of weapons to get the ball to — and he’s spreading it around. Rodgers hit eight receivers and finally got tight end Tyler Conklin involved (five catches, 93 yards and his main recipient of some throws on the move). The Jets didn’t have a single three-and-out. Think about that for a moment and consider what their offense has been like in recent years. They had no three-and-outs. They scored three touchdowns again. That’s the third straight time they’ve done that. The Jets offense hasn’t generated three touchdowns in three straight games since 2019. Allen Lazard looks like a different player. They have a good one-two punch in the backfield in Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Mike Williams is getting more involved. Then there’s Garrett Wilson. He caught his first touchdown pass Thursday, but he hasn’t had that big game everyone expects. When Rodgers and Wilson click, the Jets could do some real damage.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.