By Tiffany Williams –
In their home opener at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets faced off against the New England Patriots in a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football matchup after starting the season with a 1-1 record on the road. The Jets delivered an outstanding performance, securing a 24-3 victory in front of their home crowd.
The Jets’ offense has shown consistency, scoring nine points in their first three games, three points in each marking a feat not achieved by the team since 1989.
The game began with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers connecting with Allen Lazard for a touchdown pass in the first quarter, giving the Jets an early 7-0 lead. This marked Lazard’s third receiving touchdown of the season and Rodgers’ fourth passing touchdown. Greg Zuerlein successfully converted the extra point.
The second quarter saw third-year running back Breece Hall making a significant impact with a rushing touchdown, extending the Jets’ lead to 14-0 after Zuerlein’s successful extra point. Breece Hall has now scored a scrimmage touchdown in six consecutive regular season games, dating back to Week 16 in 2023. The Patriots managed to get on the scoreboard with a 44-yard field goal by Joey Slye, making it a 14-3 game.
In the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers continued to impress, throwing his second touchdown pass of the game to Garrett Wilson, further solidifying the Jets’ lead at 21-3 after Zuerlein’s successful extra point. This marked Rodgers’ fifth passing touchdown of the season and Wilson’s first receiving touchdown.
Greg Zuerlein’s 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter extended the Jets’ lead to 24-3.
On the defensive side, Quincy Williams recorded eight total tackles and one for a loss, while Quinnen Williams recorded two tackles, one for a loss, 1.0 sack, and three quarterback hits.
The Jets have demonstrated dominance in their recent matchups against the Patriots, winning their last two games by a combined score of 41-6. Despite this, New York still trails the all-time series 55-72-1, including a 30-34 record at home against NE.
Aaron Rodgers had a stellar performance, completing 27 passes on 35 attempts for 281 yards, two touchdowns, and a 118.9 passer rating. This win marked Rodgers’ 150th career victory, and his touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson was the 480th of his career, making Wilson the first wide receiver selected in the 1st round of the NFL draft to catch a touchdown pass from Rodgers.
Following the Jets win Breece Hall said, “Our last two games we expected to win, you know, felt like we had a better team, better talent and everything. So, you know, I was I was happy we won. But I still feel like offense, like we were still shooting ourselves in the foot on the drives where we could have put them away even earlier. I felt like, you know, we were we were getting across the 50 then we get a holding or a false start or something to put us back in second and 15 second and 20. So like it was good, but it was like still little stuff like that. That’s like it’s irritating, but it like just because you get the win, it’s like, OK, whatever. But like when you go back and watch the film, it’s like, OK, we can’t do that if we’re playing a a better opponent just because like that, that stuff matters.”
Looking ahead, the Jets will be gearing up to face the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium on September 29 at 1:00 PM.
Sports Insider Daily 