Aaron Rodgers stunned the Jets in their win over the Patriots
September 20, 2024 2024-09-20 6:56Aaron Rodgers stunned the Jets in their win over the Patriots
Introduction: Aaron Rodgers
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
The New York Jets picked
up their second win of the
season against the New England
Patriots, 24-3, on Thursday night.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers
returned to MetLife Stadium
and impressed, throwing two
touchdowns in the first half and
the crowd chanting his name.
Here’s what you need to know from Thursday night for both teams. In short, the Jets’ second home opener was a lot more fun than the old Rodgers’ first.
This time, Rodgers stunned the Met Life audience with his incredible accuracy and consecutive throws, rushing for 281 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ second straight win.
At the end of the third quarter, the sellout crowd began chanting Rodgers’ name. Now I want you to remember last season’s opener on September 11th. There was an eerie silence in the stadium as Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on his fourth goal of the season and was helped off the field.
On Thursday night, Rodgers (27 of 35) looked like an assist by distributing the ball to everyone around him. He completed passes to eight different receivers. What’s notable is that the 40-year-old quarterback got in and out of the pocket well, much better than he did in the first two games. The fact that he did it in a short week with only three days off bodes well for the rest of the season.
The Jets began the season with the dream of reaching the Super Bowl. When Rodgers plays like that, anything seems possible in the Jets world.
An alarming trend
For the second week in a row, the Patriots’ defense failed to find decisive answers to the pass. Rodgers’ ability to catch the ball quickly and pass accurately will keep seven players from pressuring the game without linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pectoral muscle).
And the coverage in the secondary market, where everything is necessary, is not at an adequate level. Mayo noted the importance of keeping quarterbacks in the pocket after Week 2, and the Patriots had the same issues with Rodgers.
Next game: San Francisco 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 29)
