Rodgers sparkles in his first home start since his injury to lead Jets to 24-3 win over Patriots

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers delivered a stellar homecoming, throwing two touchdown passes as the New York Jets triumphed over the New England Patriots with a commanding 24-3 victory in their home opener on Thursday night.

This marked Rodgers’ first game at MetLife Stadium since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon last season. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no lingering effects from the injury, showcasing his agility with several scrambles and precise, off-balance throws that dismantled New England’s defense. He completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards, finding Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard for touchdowns while the crowd chanted his name.

With this win, the Jets (2-1) snapped an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2) and halted a 15-game skid against New England during Bill Belichick’s tenure. The Jets’ defense was relentless, sacking quarterback Jacoby Brissett five times before he was replaced by rookie Drake Maye, the third overall pick, in the game’s final minutes.

Breece Hall contributed a touchdown for New York, which also ended a six-game losing streak on Thursday nights. From the outset, it was clear that the Jets were in control.

Rodgers received a raucous ovation as he took the field and quickly electrified the crowd. After an initial drive stalled, a key penalty against the Patriots set up a touchdown. Following a no-gain pass to Hall, linebacker Jahlani Tavai committed a personal foul by slamming Hall to the ground, giving the Jets a 15-yard advance to New England’s 31.

Four plays later, Rodgers connected with Lazard on a quick out route, where Lazard broke free from a tackle attempt and sprinted into the end zone for a 13-yard score. He immediately handed the ball to Rodgers, marking the quarterback’s first touchdown at home as a Jet.

The Jets extended their lead with a 91-yard drive culminating in a 1-yard run by Hall, although it was briefly ruled short before being overturned by video review. Joey Slye’s 44-yard field goal brought the Patriots within 14-3 just before halftime, while Greg Zuerlein missed a 45-yarder shortly after.

In the third quarter, the Jets increased their lead to 21-3 when Rodgers connected with Wilson for a 2-yard touchdown. This marked the third consecutive game where the Jets scored at least three offensive touchdowns.

After a forced fumble by Chuck Clark, recovered by the Jets, Zuerlein added a 28-yard field goal to further secure the victory.