Aaron Rodgers surprised everyone with how well he moved during Thursday night’s game.
At 40 years old, and following an Achilles injury, there were doubts about his mobility. While he’s no longer the runner he was in his prime, Rodgers showed he can still move effectively when needed. Early in the game, he scrambled for a 5-yard first down on the Jets’ opening drive.
He moved within the pocket to avoid pressure and made several throws on the run. One standout play came in the second half, where on a third-down blitz, Rodgers escaped the pocket and hit tight end Tyler Conklin for an 18-yard gain. His mobility doesn’t appear to be a concern.
After last season’s short-lived four-play debut, Jets fans finally got to see Rodgers in action at MetLife Stadium. If Thursday night is a preview of what’s to come, they’re in for an exciting season.
Rodgers looked like his old self, leading an offense that clicked in all aspects while the Jets’ defense dominated the New England Patriots in a 24-3 blowout. Despite the Patriots’ tough start to the season—having won against the Bengals in Week 1 and narrowly losing in overtime to the Seahawks—they were completely outmatched.
By the game’s final minutes, the Jets had racked up 400 yards of offense while holding the Patriots to just 93. This performance might reveal how strong the Jets truly are.
Over the past two seasons, the Jets endured subpar quarterback play but still managed seven wins each year, thanks to a stellar defense and standout skill players.
Thursday night was the kind of performance Jets fans had dreamed of with better quarterback play. Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
In the third quarter, the home crowd broke into an “Aaron Rodgers!” chant. Rodgers waved for the fans to quiet down, but the chants persisted a bit longer.
The night started strong for the Jets as Aaron Rodgers was in top form, delivering precise throws. Although the first drive was halted by a holding penalty, the second drive culminated in a touchdown pass to Allen Lazard. The third drive saw Breece Hall power his way into the end zone with a rushing touchdown.
Rodgers, the Jets’ marquee player, was in the spotlight Thursday night and didn’t disappoint. While he may not have the blazing arm strength of his MVP years, his passes still carry significant velocity, enough to outmatch defenses. Rodgers completed 12 of his first 13 passes for 135 yards, guiding the Jets to a 14-0 lead, and had 170 yards by halftime.
What stood out most, however, was the support around Rodgers.
Jets’ stars step up The Jets boast a well-rounded roster, and it was evident in their game against the Patriots. Hall proved why he’s one of the top running backs in the league, while rookie Braelon Allen impressed when filling in. New York racked up 88 rushing yards by halftime. Although Garrett Wilson had a tough battle against cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Lazard, Mike Williams, and Tyler Conklin all made key contributions.
Wilson eventually scored on a short touchdown, extending the Jets’ lead to 21-3. The offensive line also performed admirably, handling a tough Patriots defensive front, opening running lanes, and mostly keeping Rodgers upright. The only setback was right tackle Morgan Moses leaving the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Defensively, the Jets returned to their dominant form after a shaky opener against the 49ers. They held New England to just 40 yards in the first half, with frequent blitzes overwhelming Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots’ offensive line.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye made his debut late in the game as the Patriots struggled to move the ball, largely due to the Jets’ suffocating defense. New York controlled possession for over 10 minutes in each of the first three quarters, thanks to the defense stalling New England’s offense.
The Jets have gone all-in this season, banking on Rodgers to lead them to success. While the first two weeks were shaky, Thursday night’s performance—with Rodgers clicking and the defense in lockdown mode—offered a glimpse of how it all might pay off.