EAST RUTHERFORD-. Aaron Rodgers He was in complete control of the match, with a brilliant performance that marked his return to a house he had left in a painful manner almost a year ago. This time he was able to walk away, healthy and victorious.
The star quarterback completed two touchdown passes, captivated the crowd and led the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. New York Jets to a 24-3 thrashing of the New England Patriots.
“It was a really special night,” Rodgers said. “And all those chants from the crowd meant a lot to me.”
The defense looked dominant in supporting Rodgers, who made his first start at MetLife Stadium since just over a year ago, when he left with a ruptured Achilles tendon in last season’s opener.
The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of injury or fatigue from playing for the third time in 11 days. He was able to escape his pursuers and throw with little support or balance all night, breaking through New England’s defense with surgical precision.
“I felt really good out there,” he said. “I had told them after Week 1 that this was going to be a process and that I was going to keep extending the plays once I got more comfortable. This was kind of a first step to playing like I know I can play. I felt like I was myself.”
Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards. He connected on touchdown passes to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
The crowd chanted his name and surname. The Jets (2-1) had gone eight games without beating the Patriots (1-2) in New Jersey.
“He may not be his old self, but he still has plenty in those legs,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Rodgers. “His arm looks like he’s 30 years old and his mind operates at a high level.”
Last season, New York snapped a 15-game losing streak against New England in Bill Belichick’s final game as Pats coach. This time, he sacked Jacoby Brissett five times.
Drake Maye, the third overall pick in April’s draft, made his NFL debut by replacing Brissett, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 98 yards.
The substitution came with 4:24 minutes remaining in the match.
Maye completed four of 18 passes for 22 yards and was sacked twice.
