Aaron Rodgers Shines in Return to MetLife Stadium
Aaron Rodgers made a triumphant return to MetLife Stadium on Thursday night, showcasing his elite skills as he led the New York Jets to a commanding 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots. This marked Rodgers’ first game back since his Achilles injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season. At 40 years old, he displayed remarkable mobility and precision, earning a passer rating of 118.9, while the Jets’ defense stifled the Patriots, limiting them to a mere 2.9 yards per play.
Fans erupted in cheers, chanting Rodgers’ name in the third quarter. In a surprising move, the Patriots chose to play rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the final minutes of the game, despite the significant score gap. Maye, the third overall pick in the recent draft, made his NFL debut with just over four minutes left on the clock.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt and Chad Graff provide key insights from this impressive matchup.
Peak Rodgers on Display
What we witnessed on Thursday night was pure, vintage Aaron Rodgers. He looked far from a 40-year-old player, especially evident during the three instances he escaped the pocket, twice converting those moments into first downs. Rodgers excelled at quickly releasing the ball while showcasing his ability to thrive even amidst defensive pressure from the Patriots.
The Jets’ offensive strategy was aggressive from the start, with a heavy emphasis on passing during their opening drive. Although a holding penalty disrupted their momentum, the Jets quickly regrouped, and the Rodgers-led offense dominated the first half.
For the third consecutive game, the Jets managed to score at least three touchdowns, a feat they only achieved in two games throughout the entirety of the previous season. The potential for this Jets team is significantly higher with Rodgers performing at this level, especially with an upgraded offensive line and a talented group of weapons that has not been seen in recent Jets history.
— Zack Rosenblatt, Jets Beat Writer
Much Needed Showing for New York’s Defense
After a few weeks of inconsistent performances, particularly from the defensive line, Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich devised a clever game plan that left the Patriots’ offense baffled.
While it is true that New England’s offensive line may rank among the worst in the NFL, the Jets still needed to demonstrate their ability to dominate an inferior opponent, and they did just that. Ulbrich increased the frequency of blitzing more than he typically does, and defensive end Will McDonald stepped up, alleviating concerns over the absences of Jermaine Johnson and Haason Reddick with an impressive first-half display.
By the end of the third quarter, the Patriots had accumulated only 118 yards of total offense, which dwindled down to 85 yards just a few minutes into the fourth quarter, a statistic that didn’t improve much as the game progressed. While the Jets may not face an offense as struggling as the Patriots again this season, their history of faltering against weaker opponents makes this victory all the more satisfying.
— Zack Rosenblatt
How Did Maye Look?
The Patriots had been cautious with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, hesitant to expose him to the challenges of a poor supporting cast. However, with the game significantly out of reach, their strategy shifted.
Maye, selected third overall in April’s draft, entered the game with just over four minutes remaining, completing 4 of 8 passes for a total of 22 yards. Similar to Jacoby Brissett, he faced relentless pressure, resulting in two sacks during his single drive. His initial pass was nearly intercepted, and his second dropback ended with a significant hit while attempting to scramble. Nonetheless, Maye managed to settle into the game, connecting on a few short completions, culminating in a 46-yard drive that became the team’s second-longest of the night.
— Chad Graff, Patriots Beat Writer
Patriots Have Serious Protection Issues
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Patriots to construct any semblance of a competent offense with the current state of their offensive line. Both head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf had spent weeks insisting that there were no issues with the offensive line, dismissing concerns as exaggerated.
However, after three weeks, it is clear that the offensive front is the team’s most pressing issue. On Thursday night, their performance was dismal, with Brissett being hit on nearly half of his dropbacks. The offensive line entered the game ranked 31st in terms of pressure rate allowed, and this performance might see them drop to the bottom of the rankings.
What makes this predicament even more frustrating is how predictable it was. The Patriots struggled with their offensive line last year and attempted minimal fixes by signing journeymen like Vederian Lowe and Chukwuma Okorafor, along with drafting a right tackle (Caedan Wallace) to play left tackle—an approach that has proven disastrous.
— Chad Graff
Pats Struggle to Tackle
The Patriots’ defense was expected to be their stronghold, so witnessing their collapse on Thursday was particularly shocking. While the offensive struggles and O-line issues were anticipated, the defense—previously viewed as a reliable unit—was a complete wreck.
The loss of sure-tackling linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to a torn pectoral muscle earlier in the week left a significant void, and without him, the Patriots struggled to make tackles. The team missed more than a dozen tackles, allowing the Jets to dominate in various aspects of the game. This situation poses a considerable challenge for Mayo, marking an early test of his ability to address and rectify the issues plaguing his once-prized defense, particularly with a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on the horizon.
— Chad Graff
Required Reading
- NFL Week 3 picks against the spread: Why Falcons’ Bijan Robinson is one RB to take seriously
- With Jermaine Johnson out for the year, Jets must scramble for answers
- How Patriots pass rusher Keion White became a breakout star: From Domino’s delivery to the NFL
(Photo: Robert Deutsch / Imagn Images)
