2024-09-20 08:55:02
EAST RUTHERFORD − From start to finish, the Jets had this game under control as they easily took care of business in a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
Aaron Rodgers dominated in his first start back at MetLife Stadium since tearing his Achilles last September, as he finished 27-for-35 with 281 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Starting in the second half, fans echoed chants of “Aaron Rodgers!” throughout the stadium when the Jets started to pull away on a drive that would ultimately lead to the first touchdown connection between Rodgers and No. 1 wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
What was more impressive was how well the 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP used his legs, as there were multiple instances where he rolled out of the pocket and gained yardage. He finished with 18 rushing yards, tying his most in a game since Christmas Day against the Dolphins in 2022.
Outside of the continuous problem of taking way too many penalties (eight times for 106 yards), it was a near perfect execution by this Jets team.
The defense was dominant all night long, as it didn’t allow a touchdown and recorded six sacks of Patriots QBs Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft who took over for the final drive of the game.
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With the victory, the Jets now get an extended rest as they don’t play until Sept. 29, when they host the Denver Broncos in Week 4.
Here’s our analysis as the game progressed:
On their final drive of the game with the game out of reach, New England turns the starting over to the No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye.
Gang Green nearly found the end zone again but Patriots’ cornerback Jonathan Jones broke up a pass intended for Jets’ wide receiver Mike Williams in the end zone.
After missing a 45-yard field goal attempt before the half, kicker Greg Zuerlein makes a chip shot 28-yard field goal to put the Jets up three touchdowns.
Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, safety Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble on New England’s first play of the final quarter.
It’s Jets’ ball at the Patriots 37-yard line.
Morgan Moses, the Jets’ starting right tackle, left the game on the final play of the third quarter after his left knee was rolled up on by a Patriots’ defender.
Olu Fashanu, the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, took over for Moses on the right side for the remainder of the night.
Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson connect for the first time in the end zone as Rodgers’ finds Wilson on a two-yard pass to give Gang Green a three-score lead.
You could tell Rodgers wanted to get his No. 1 wide receiver the ball in the end zone, as the play before the duo connected for eight yards down to the two-yard line, as Wilson almost broke a tackle to score but couldn’t break through until the following play.
The Jets missed an opportunity to add to their lead right before the half as kicker Greg Zuerlein couldn’t convert on a 45-yard field goal that went wide left.
It’s clear the Jets’ have been the better team through the first 30 minutes of action. Gang Green’s outgained New England 252-40, have double the amount of plays (39-18), are 2-for-2 in the red zone and have dominated time of possession (20:43 for the Jets compared to 9:17 for the Patriots).
However, it feels like the Patriots are doing just enough on defense to hang around. Miscues also continue to haunt the Jets, as they’ve already been flagged six times for 76 yards, one of which was called on a play where Aaron Rodgers just missed wide receiver Garrett Wilson for what would’ve been a 35-yard touchdown and put Gang Green up three scores.
The Patriots get on the board with a 44-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye.
As it was the first two games, penalties continue to be an issue for the Jets, as a defensive pass interference on cornerback D.J. Reed turned into a 34-yard penalty, moving the ball from the Patriots 41-yard line all the way to the Jets’ 25-yard line after the enforcement.
A sack from Will McDonald and two incompletions from Jacoby Brissett would lead to an eventual field goal for New England.
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Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh challenge pays off, as running back Breece Hall scores to give Gang Green a two score lead early nearly at the halfway point of the first half.
It’s Hall’s third touchdown of the season and second on the ground.
Aaron Rodgers throws his first touchdown pass as a member of the Jets’ at MetLife Stadium on a 10-yard TD to Allen Lazard, who’s already scored his third receiving touchdown of the season.
The drive really took off when Patriots’ linebacker Jahlani Tavai body slammed running back Breece Hall to the ground, resulting in a15-yard penalty and the ball in New England territory near midfield. Rodgers would find Lazard, his long time Packers’ teammate, only four plays later.
Will McDonald, who’s coming off a career high three-sack performance in Week 2 against the Titans, nearly got his fourth of the season but Patriots’ QB Jacoby Brissett got rid of the ball just in time to tight end Hunter Henry for no gain as both teams go three-and-out on their opening drives of the game.
In Rodgers’ first play, he passes short right to Wilson for a gain of six yards. He then showed off the hustle as he scrambled for a five yard run, picking up a first down on the ensuing play.
The Patriots have won the coin toss and have deferred to get the ball to begin the second half. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Jets will be on offense first.
Already without Jermaine Johnson due to a Achilles injury and Haason Reddick due to contractual issues, the Jets will be without another member of their defense, as linebacker C.J. Mosley has been ruled out for tonight’s game with a toe injury.
Even though they’re not facing a prolific offense by any stretch of the imagination, the Jets’ defense (which ranks 24th in the NFL) could have their hands full playing for the third time in 11 days.
Jets inactives
Patriots inactives
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The pick: Jets 27, Patriots 20
Here’s why: The Jets will struggle against the Patriots rush attack that has dominated through the first two weeks. Making his home debut this season, QB Aaron Rodgers will lead enough scoring drives while the defense makes the critical stops when needed to give Gang Green the win, ultimately moving the organization above .500 for the first time since last October.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 18:
Some clouds with a slight chance of a shower. Low around 65.
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