
New England Patriots at New York Jets
· National Football LeagueRodgers sparkles in his first home start since his injury to lead Jets to 24-3 win over Patriots

And this time, Rodgers was able to walk off the field — healthy and a winner.
The star quarterback threw two touchdown passes while being showered with “Aa-ron! Rod-gers!” chants throughout, New York’s defense was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots in their home opener Thursday night.
“It was a really special night,” Rodgers said. “All those chants are really meaningful.”
Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field just over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York's opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or playing in his third game in 11 days — while scrambling several times and making off-balance throws all night, slicing through New England's defense with surgical precision.
“It felt great,” Rodgers said. “I was feeling real good out there. I felt good in pregame. I told you guys after Week 1 that it's going to be a process and I'll continue to extend plays once I feel more comfortable. This was kind of a first step in playing like I know I'm capable of playing.
“I felt like I was, you know, myself.”
Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards with TD tosses to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard as the Jets (2-1) ended an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2).
“He may not be what he used to be, but he still has plenty in those legs,” a smiling Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Rodgers. “His arm is still 30 and his mind is still operating at a high level.”
New York, which stopped a 15-game skid against New England last season in Bill Belichick's final game as the Patriots' coach, sacked Jacoby Brissett five times. Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April, made his NFL debut when he replaced Brissett — who was 12 of 18 for 98 yards — with 4:24 left in the game.
Maye finished 4 for 8 for 22 yards and was sacked twice, but Patriots coach Jerod Mayo wasn't sure he would be making a quarterback change any time soon.
“I don't know,” the first-year coach said. “We talk every single week that you’re competing for a job. We’ll get together as a coaching staff and see where it goes.”
Breece Hall ran for a score for the Jets, who also snapped a six-game skid in Thursday night games.
And there was never much of a doubt in this one between the AFC East rivals.
“A lot of good things to build on from this game,” said Rodgers, who jogged onto the field to a thunderous ovation.
Soon after, he sent the crowd into a frenzy again.
After the Jets' first drive stalled, Rodgers marched them down the field — with a little help by a mental mistake from the Patriots.
A first-down pass from Rodgers to Hall was stopped for no gain, but Jahlani Tavai lifted the Jets running back and slammed him to the turf with a move more suitable for the wrestling ring. The 15-yard penalty put the ball at New England's 31.
Four plays later, Rodgers threw a quick out to Lazard on his left. The receiver made a move and Alex Austin reached out to try to stop him, but instead got only a handful of Lazard's undershirt that stretched several yards like a rubber band before Lazard broke away and zipped into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
Lazard immediately ran over to his quarterback and handed the ball to Rodgers, who threw his first touchdown pass at home for the Jets.
Rodgers and the Jets kept things going on their next possession, capping a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a 1-yard run by Hall that was reversed by video review after it was originally ruled he was short of the goal line.
Joey Slye's 44-yard field goal cut the Patriots' deficit to 14-3 with 3:56 left in the first half.
New York made it 21-3 with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter when Rodgers zipped a pass to his right and found Wilson, who toe-tapped in the front corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.
It marked the third straight game the Jets had at least three touchdowns on offense.
After Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets increased their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
“Honestly, it just wasn’t our night,” Brissett said. “I don’t think we did anything well, to be honest with you.”
The final stats weren't much better: New York finished with 400 yards to New England's 139, and 27 first downs to the Patriots' 11.
Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured a knee on the final play of the third quarter and didn't return. First-round pick Olu Fashanu replaced him.
Jets: Host Denver on Sept. 29.
How can I watch Patriots vs. Jets?
- TV Channel: Patriots at Jets 2021-22 NFL, week 3 is broadcasted nationally on Prime Video.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Patriots vs. Jets on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
![]() |
TD | 1st Period 4:21 | Allen Lazard 10 Yd pass from Aaron Rodgers (Greg Zuerlein Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 2nd Period 8:32 | Breece Hall 1 Yd Run (Greg Zuerlein Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 2nd Period 3:56 | Joey Slye 44 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
TD | 3rd Period 6:18 | Garrett Wilson 2 Yd pass from Aaron Rodgers (Greg Zuerlein Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 4th Period 10:16 | Greg Zuerlein 28 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
![]() |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
11 | 1st Downs | 27 |
6 | Passing 1st downs | 16 |
3 | Rushing 1st downs | 9 |
2 | 1st downs from penalties | 2 |
2-11 | 3rd down efficiency | 10-15 |
3-3 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
48 | Total Plays | 70 |
139 | Total Yards | 400 |
2.9 | Yards per Play | 5.7 |
9 | Total Drives | 8 |
61 | Passing | 267 |
16/26 | Comp/Att | 27/35 |
1.8 | Yards per pass | 7.2 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
7-59 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 2-14 |
78 | Rushing | 133 |
15 | Rushing Attempts | 33 |
5.2 | Yards per rush | 4.0 |
0-1 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 3-4 |
5-70 | Penalties | 8-106 |
1 | Turnovers | 0 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 |
19:56 | Possession | 40:04 |
New York Jets Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Irvin Charles, WR | Questionable | Mar 28 |
Greg Zuerlein, PK | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Jordan Travis, QB | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Marcus Riley, WR | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Jermaine Johnson, LB | Questionable | Feb 11 |
New England Patriots Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Christian Barmore, DT | Questionable | Mar 31 |
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR | Questionable | Mar 31 |
Stefon Diggs, WR | Questionable | Mar 26 |
Marcus Epps, S | Questionable | Mar 14 |
JaQuae Jackson, WR | Questionable | Feb 12 |
Game Information

Location: East Rutherford, NJ
Attendance: 80,812 · Capacity:
2024 AFC East Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffalo | 13 | 4 | .765 | 0 | 525 | 368 |
Miami | 8 | 9 | .471 | 0 | 345 | 364 |
New York | 5 | 12 | .294 | 0 | 338 | 404 |
New England | 4 | 13 | .235 | 0 | 289 | 417 |
NFL News

Canty: Cowboys have to start considering a Dak Prescott trade
Chris Canty explains why the Cowboys' lack of playoff success will pressure them to consider trading Dak Prescott.

2025 NFL draft: Latest buzz, Hunter's position, sleepers
Could Travis Hunter play full-time wide receiver? Which teams are most likely to trade down? Our NFL draft experts weigh in.

How Cowboys get a draft advantage with their 'Dallas Day'
With many draft prospects from the Dallas area -- such as RB Ashton Jeanty and QB Quinn Ewers -- the Cowboys have a leg up on other NFL teams.

Detroit Lions prioritized discipline in NFL free agency
With so many young stars still to pay, the Lions are trusting what they already had in-house this offseason.

Do Panthers have a legit No. 1 receiver in Xavier Legette?
The Panthers still see a lot of upside in Legette, their 2024 first-round pick, but he has a lot to improve on from his rookie year.