Aaron Rodgers Guides N.Y. Jets to 24-3 Victory Over New England Patriots

On September 20, the New York Jets secured a decisive victory over the New England Patriots, winning 24-3 and improving their record to 2-1 for the season. Aaron Rodgers, the veteran quarterback, threw two touchdown passes and showcased the potential for the Jets to dominate in the future.

“It’s the expectations,” Rodgers expressed to reporters in East Rutherford, N.J. “If the expectation is winning, we are going to celebrate it, but we should expect to win. The next step is expecting to dominate.”

In the game, Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes, totaling 281 yards. This match marked his first home start for the Jets since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1 of the previous season. His performance was instrumental in the team’s victory at MetLife Stadium.

The Jets had a remarkable showing, outpacing the Patriots in total yards, finishing with 400 to New England’s 139. They also led significantly in first downs, recording 27 compared to the Patriots’ 11, and achieved 133 rushing yards against New England’s 78. Time of possession was another area of dominance for the Jets, where they held the advantage for more than 20 minutes. Their defense was solid, notching six sacks and forcing a fumble.

Rodgers expressed pride in his team, stating, “I’m proud of our guys. We’ve been improving, but it hasn’t been good enough for some people outside the room, so to have a performance like we had feels really good.”

The scoring began in the first quarter when Rodgers connected with Allen Lazard for a 10-yard touchdown pass, putting the Jets ahead 7-0. Then, midway through the second quarter, running back Breece Hall extended their lead with a 1-yard touchdown following a lengthy 13-play, 91-yard drive.

The Patriots managed to get on the scoreboard just before halftime with a 44-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye. However, the Jets responded with another touchdown in the third quarter, as Rodgers found Garrett Wilson for a score that brought the Jets’ lead to 21-3.

Later in the fourth quarter, Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein sealed the game by adding a 28-yard field goal, bringing the final score to 24-3.

In a notable substitution, rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, came in for Jacoby Brissett with just over four minutes left in the game. Maye completed four of eight passes for 22 yards as the Patriots sought to rally but ultimately fell short. Brissett finished the night with 12 completions out of 18 attempts for 98 yards.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo did not disclose whether Brissett or Maye would take the lead in their upcoming game. He remarked on Maye’s performance, saying, “I just thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there with the 1s [first-team offense] and put a few drives together. They moved the ball. We will watch the film and evaluate it.”

For the Jets, Hall recorded an impressive 83 total yards from scrimmage while handling 20 touches. Rookie running back Braelon Allen contributed with 68 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches, and tight end Tyler Conklin had a standout performance, catching five passes for a game-high 93 yards.

The defensive unit for the Jets was also performing at a high level. Edge rusher Will McDonald IV logged two of the team’s six sacks, while safety Chuck Clark added a sack along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Coach Robert Saleh praised his team’s effort, emphasizing their relentless determination and adherence to the team’s standards.

The Jets now prepare to face the Denver Broncos in their next matchup on September 29 at home, while the Patriots are set to play against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California on the same day.