Rodgers’ Jets down Patriots for consecutive NFL wins
Aaron Rodgers has thrown two touchdown passes in a superb homecoming performance, New York’s defence was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over New England in their home opener.
Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field just over a year ago with a torn achilles tendon in New York’s opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or playing in his third game in 11 days — while scrambling several times and making off-balance throws all night, slicing through the Patriots’ defence with surgical precision.
Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards with TD tosses to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard and heard chants of “Aa-ron! Rod-gers!” throughout as the Jets (2-1) ended an eight-game home losing streak against the Pats (1-2).
New York, who stopped a 15-game skid against New England in Bill Belichick’s final game as the Patriots’ coach, sacked Jacoby Brissett five times. Drake Maye, the No.3 overall pick in April, made his NFL debut when he replaced Brissett with 4:24 left in the game.
Breece Hall ran for a score for the Jets, who also snapped a six-game skid in Thursday night games.
And there was never much of a doubt in this one between the AFC East rivals.
After New York’s first drive stalled, Rodgers marched them down the field and threw a quick out to Lazard on his left. The receiver made a move and Alex Austin reached out to try to stop him, but instead got only a handful of Lazard’s undershirt that stretched like a rubber band before Lazard broke away and zipped into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
Lazard immediately ran over to his quarterback and handed the football to Rodgers, who threw his first touchdown pass at home for the Jets.
The home side kept things going on their next possession, capping a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a one-yard run by Hall that was reversed by video review after it was originally ruled he was short of the goal line.
Joey Slye’s 44-yard field goal cut New England’s deficit to 14-3 with 3:56 left in the first half.
New York made it 21-3 with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter when Rodgers zipped a pass to his right and found Wilson, who toe-tapped in the front corner of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.
It marked the third straight game the Jets had at least three touchdowns on offence.
After Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets increased their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Zuerlein.
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