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.
Quarterback 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.
"We had a lot of emotions for sure," said Rodgers in the postgame press conference. "We're thankfully already into the third game of the season and played two full games. Body feels good, but as good as you can on a short week."
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 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 Brissett on the final drive of the game.
In the absence of many starters defensively, it was defensive end Will McDonald who stepped up for a second straight week, as he had another consecutive multi-sack performance. McDonald now has five on the season, second most in the entire NFL. The 2023 first-round pick also recorded a team-high four QB hits on the night.
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This was the first of five primetime games for Gang Green, with four of them coming in front of the 80,000+ fans in East Rutherford.
"It'll be fun to be out there with the crowd and night games, I love night games," stated Rodgers.
With the victory, the Jets now get an extended rest period 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 everything out of reach, New England hands the ball over to their No. 3 overall pick, QB Drake Maye, to finish things up.
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-yarder 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 2-yard pass to give the Jets 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 8 yards down to the 2-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. Gang Green has outgained New England 252-40, doubled the amount of plays (39-18), are 2-for-2 in the red zone, and 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 Garrett Wilson for what would've been a 35-yard touchdown and put the Jets up three scores.
The Patriots get on the board with a 44-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye.
As it was for 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 after the enforcement.
A sack from Will McDonald and two incompletions from Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett would lead to an eventual field goal for New England.
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Jets head coach Robert Saleh's 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 MetLife Stadium touchdown pass as a member of the Jets 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 6 yards. He then showed off the hustle as he scrambled for a 5-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.
How will depleted Jets defense respond on short week?
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.
NY Jets and New England Patriots inactives
Jets inactives
- ILB C.J. Mosley
- OT Max Mitchell
- RB Israel Abanikanda
- OT Carter Warren
- DE Eric Watts
- CB Jarrick Benard-Converse
Patriots inactives
- LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
- QB Joe Milton III
- CB Marco Wilson
- DE Jamree Kromah
- OT Vederian Lowe
- OL Sidy Sow
NY Jets vs New England Patriots time today
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 19
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
What channel is NY Jets vs Patriots game on today?
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NY Jets vs Patriots history
- Series record: Patriots lead, 74-55-1
- Jets' last win: Jan. 7, 2024 (17-3)
- Patriots' last win : Sept. 24, 2023 (15-10)
NY Jets vs Patriots prediction
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.
NY Jets vs Patriots odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 18:
- Spread: Jets by 6.5
- Over/Under: 38.5 points
- Moneyline: Jets (-275), Patriots (+220)
Jets vs Patriots injury updates
- NY Jets : LB C.J. Mosley (Toe) is questionable as he did not practice on Wednesday.
- Patriots: C David Andrews, (Hip), OL Mike Onwenu, (Wrist), S Jabrill Peppers, (Shoulder)DE Deatrich Wise Jr (Shoulder) are questionable while LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (Shoulder) T Vederian Lowe, (Knee) G Sidy Sow (Ankle) and LB Oshane Ximines (Knee) have been ruled out for Thursday night.
NY Jets vs Patriots weather update
Some clouds with a slight chance of a shower. Low around 65.
NY Jets schedule 2024
- Sept. 9: at San Francisco, L 32-19
- Sept. 15: at Tennessee, W 24-17
- Sept. 19: New England
- Sept. 29: Denver
- Oct. 6: Minnesota (London)
- Oct. 14: Buffalo
- Oct. 20: at Pittsburgh
- Oct. 27: at New England
- Oct. 31: Houston
- Nov. 10: at Arizona
- Nov. 17: Indianapolis
- Bye
- Dec. 1: Seattle
- Dec. 8: at Miami
- Dec. 15: at Jacksonville
- Dec. 22: Los Angeles (N)
- Dec. 29: at Buffalo
- Jan. 5: Miami
Buy Jets football tickets this season with StubHub
Patriots schedule
- Sept. 8: at Cincinnati, W, 16-10
- Sept. 15: Seattle, L, 23-20
- Sept. 19: at New York (A)
- Sept. 29: at San Francisco
- Oct. 6: Miami
- Oct. 13: Houston
- Oct. 20: Jacksonville (London)
- Oct: 27: New York (A)
- Nov. 3: at Tennessee
- Nov. 10: at Chicago
- Nov. 17: Los Angeles (N)
- Nov. 24: at Miami
- Dec. 1: Indianapolis
- Bye
- Dec. 15: at Arizona
- Dec. 22: at Buffalo
- Dec. 29: Los Angeles (A)
- Jan. 5: Buffalo
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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Aaron Rodgers, NY Jets dominate from start to finish in 24-3 victory over Patriots
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