In his splendid return to his home field, Aaron Rodgers delivered two touchdown passes, leading the Jets to a triumphant 24-3 win against the New England Patriots during the home opener on Thursday evening. This was Rodgers’ first game since sustaining an Achilles tendon injury a little over a year ago. Despite playing his third game within a span of 11 days, the veteran quarterback displayed no effects of the injury and thrilled the spectators with his swift agility and adept off-balance throws, cutting sharply through the Patriots’ defence.
Completing 27 out of 35 for 281 yards, Rodgers directed touchdown passes to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard. The continuous chants of “Aa-ron! Rod-gers!” echoed throughout the stadium as the Jets (2-1) effectively ended an eight-match home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2).
The world witnessed the formidable defence of New York, which curtailed a 15-match losing streak against the Patriots in what marked the final game for Bill Belichick as the Patriots’ coach. Jacoby Brissett was sacked five times, and Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April, made his first appearance in the NFL when he substituted Brissett with just 4:24 left on the clock.
Adding to the victory, Breece Hall scored a touchdown for the Jets, who also terminated a six-game losing streak on Thursday nights. There was an undeniable sense of conquest against their AFC East rivals.
The audience reacted with roaring applause as Rodgers stepped onto the field. They were soon treated to another spectacle as Rodgers effectively led his team downfield after their initial drive faltered. This effort was bolstered by a costly error from the Patriots. With a first down pass from Rodgers to Hall having resulted in no gain, Jahlani Tavai hoisted Hall onto his shoulder and forcefully threw him to the ground in a move more befitting a wrestling ring, which awarded the Jets a 15-yard penalty positioning the ball on the New England’s 31-yard line.
A few plays later, Rodgers quickly passed to Lazard on his left. Alex Austin stretched out to try to halt him but could only grasp a piece of Lazard’s undershirt which stretched like elastic before he broke free and sped into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
Instantly, Lazard raced over to Rodgers and gave him the ball, marking Rodgers’ first home touchdown pass for the Jets.
Continuing their momentum in their following possession, the Jets finished a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a single-yard run by Hall, revised to a touchdown by video review after the initial judgment that he fell short of the goal line.
Joey Slye’s 44-yard field goal reduced the Patriots’ gap to 14-3 with just under four minutes to go in the first half.
Greg Zuerlein narrowly missed a 45-yard attempt just before the half-time break.
New York extended their lead to 21-3 with just over six minutes left in the third quarter when Rodgers swiftly threw a pass to his right, finding Wilson who delicately placed his toes at the front corner of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.
This was the third consecutive game in which the Jets had scored at least three touchdowns on offence. Following a forced fumble and recovery by Chuck Clark from Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets furthered their lead with a 28-yard field goal from Zuerlein. – Guardian