Aaron Rodgers dazzles in Jets home-opening win over Patriots

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets rolled to their second victory of the season on Thursday evening in opposition to the New England Patriots, 24-3. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers impressed in his return to MetLife Stadium, throwing two touchdowns within the first half, with the group chanting his identify.

Listed below are a very powerful issues to know from Thursday evening for each groups:

Merely put, it was classic Rodgers, whose second Jets residence opener was much more joyous than the primary.

This time, Rodgers dazzled the MetLife Stadium crowd with uncanny accuracy and an array of off-platform throws, passing for 281 yards and a couple of touchdowns within the Jets’ second straight win.

By the tip of the third quarter, the sellout crowd was chanting his identify. Now suppose again to final season’s opener on Sept. 11. The stadium fell eerily silent when, on the fourth snap of the season, Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles and was helped off the sphere.

On Thursday evening, Rodgers (27-for-35) resembled some extent guard, distributing the ball to everybody round him. He accomplished passes to eight completely different receivers. Considerably, the 40-year-old quarterback moved nicely in and outdoors of the pocket, a lot better than he did within the first two video games. That he did this on a brief week — solely three days relaxation — bodes nicely for the remainder of the season.

The Jets started the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations. When Rodgers performs like this, all issues appear attainable within the Jets’ universe.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Utter domination. The Jets managed the ball for 40:04 and outgained the Patriots, 400-139.

Promising development: The Jets’ cross rush, sans Jermaine Johnson (season-ending Achilles harm) and Haason Reddick (holdout), was frisky. Led by defensive finish Will McDonald IV (2.5 sacks), who now has 5.5 for the season, the Jets smothered quarterback Jacoby Brissett. They completed with seven sacks, bringing the season complete to 14.

Does this imply the protection has returned to its top-5 standing? No. Some perspective: They confronted two poor offenses within the Patriots and Tennessee Titans the final two weeks.

Purchase Allen Lazard and Tyler Conklin‘s performances: A yr in the past, Lazard was such a non-factor that he acquired benched after signing a four-year, $44 million contract. He seems to be revived with Rodgers as his quarterback, giving the offense one other weapon on the perimeter.

The previous Green Bay Packers teammates linked within the first quarter on a 10-yard landing, Lazard’s third of the season. He completed with three catches for 48 yards. Conklin, a non-factor within the first two video games, erupted for 5 receptions for 93 yards. In video games the place Garrett Wilson is quiet, Conklin and Lazard could be good secondary choices within the passing assault.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: Possibly we’re nitpicking, however Rodgers and Wilson nonetheless appear to be understanding some chemistry points. They had been on completely different pages on a few routes.

Wilson did rating a landing on a 2-yard cross — a laser by Rodgers — however it was an in any other case quiet evening for the star receiver, who was lined by cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Rodgers prevented that matchup, as he focused Wilson 9 occasions. He is off to a sluggish begin in his third season, drawing extra consideration from opponents.

Subsequent sport: vs. Denver Broncos (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 29)

All the nice vibes the Patriots had generated in two aggressive video games to open the season evaporated in a New York minute on Thursday evening. The rating did not replicate how one-sided it was.

Whereas Rodgers made it look straightforward for the Jets, it was a tractor pull for quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots, whose 4 first downs within the first half had been the fewest the franchise has had in a half since 2000. The Patriots had 40 yards of offense within the first half, as they had been outgained by 212 yards within the first half-hour.

Brissett was sacked 5 occasions and by no means appeared snug within the pocket. The Patriots began rookie Caedan Wallace at left sort out as a result of Vederian Lowe was out with an ankle harm, and his rising pains had been evident on one drive within the second half during which he was known as for back-to-back holding penalties. It regarded like a free-for-all at occasions.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Completely overmatched. From the opening kickoff, the consequence by no means felt prefer it was unsure.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: Blocking and tackling. It sounds easy however head coach Jerod Mayo stated that Thursday video games normally come all the way down to which staff performs with higher fundamentals. That had been an space of power by means of the primary two video games, however there have been too many free rushers allowed on offense, and too many missed tackles and dangerous angles on protection.

QB breakdown: Brissett was typically working for his life because of the shaky safety. If there was one throw he’d need again, it was within the first quarter when he had tight finish Austin Hooper down the sphere alongside the left sideline and misfired.

Rookie QB Drake Maye made his NFL regular-season debut with 4:24 left within the fourth quarter, down 24-3. He went 4-8 for 22 yards and was sacked twice.

Troubling development: That is the second week in a row that the Patriots’ protection hasn’t been in a position to give you decisive solutions in opposition to the cross. Rodgers’ knack for getting the ball out fast and delivering precisely made it tough to generate stress for a entrance seven taking part in with out linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pectoral muscle).

And the protection within the secondary, which had each starter out there, wasn’t to its typical normal. Mayo had pinpointed the significance of conserving quarterbacks within the pocket after Week 2, and the Patriots had the identical issues in opposition to Rodgers.

Subsequent sport: at San Francisco 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 29)