The atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was electric as Jets fans were treated to some Thursday Night Football action. It was a little over a year since the devastating injury to Aaron Rodgers, but the veteran quarterback was proving that age was just a number.
Rodgers, at 40 years old, put on a show in the first half of the game. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 170 yards and even threw a touchdown. The Jets were leading 14-3, dominating the Patriots with a total yardage of 252 compared to just 40 yards for New England.
The star quarterback connected with Allen Lazard for a 10-yard touchdown pass, while Breece Hall added a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Despite a missed field goal by Greg Zuerlein, Rodgers orchestrated a solid 12-play, 59-yard drive at the end of the half.
Rodgers showcased his versatility by distributing the ball to eight different receivers, with Lazard leading the pack with three catches for 48 yards. Meanwhile, Hall contributed to the ground game with 11 carries for 43 yards.
The Jets defense was not to be outshined, as they managed to sack the Patriots’ quarterback three times, taking advantage of a weakened offensive line. Will McDonald was a standout performer with 1.5 sacks in the game, bringing his season total to an impressive 4.5 sacks.
New England was struggling to gain momentum, averaging a mere 2.2 yards per play. The Jets were in control of the game, and their fans were reveling in the spectacular performance by their team and their resilient quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.