Sept. 20 (UPI) — Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and the New York Jets outgained the New England Patriots 400 to 139 in total yards to improve to 2-1. Now, the veteran quarterback said he sees potential domination for the Jets.
“It’s the expectations,” Rodgers told reporters Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J. “If the expectation is winning, we are going to celebrate it, but we should expect to win.
“The next step is expecting to dominate.”
Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards in the 24-3 triumph Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The four-time MVP made his first home start for the Jets since he sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1 of last season.
The Jets topped the Patriots 27-11 in first downs and 133-78 in rushing yards. They also held an edge of more than 20 minutes in time of possession. The Jets defense totaled six sacks and forced a fumble.
Rodgers, who joined the Jets last off-season, hopes to help the franchise post a winning record for just the second time since 2015.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Rodgers said. “We’ve been improving, but it hasn’t been good enough for some people outside the room, so to have a performance like we had feels really good.”
The Jets took a 7-0 lead when Rodgers threw a 10-yard touchdown toss to Allen Lazard with 4:26 remaining in the first quarter Thursday at MetLife Stadium.
Running back Breece Hall doubled the advantage with a 1-yard score midway through the second. That touchdown ended a 13-play, 91-yard drive.
Kicker Joey Slye put the Patriots on the scoreboard with a 44-yard attempt four minutes before halftime.
Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson for his final touchdown pass with 6:24 remaining in the third quarter. That score, and an extra point, gave the Jets a 21-3 advantage.
Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 28-yard field goal about five minutes into the fourth quarter for the final points of the night.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, replaced Patriots veteran Jacoby Brissett with 4:24 remaining. He completed 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards in the loss.
Brissett completed 12 of 18 passes for 98 yards.
Patriots coach Jerord Mayo declined to say if Brissett or Maye will start in Week 4.
“I just thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there with the 1s [first-team offense] and put a few drives together,” Mayo said of Maye. “They moved the ball. We will watch the film and evaluate it.”
Hall logged 83 yards from scrimmage and a score on 20 touches for the Jets. Rookie running back Braelon Allen registered 68 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches. Jets tight end Tyler Conklin hauled in five catches for a game-high 93 yards.
Edge rusher Will McDonald IV logged two of the Jets’ six sacks. Safety Chuck Clark registered a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery.
“I thought we were good, really good,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “We talk about a style of play and a standard and just playing with relentless effort, with 11 hats to the ball and I thought we did that.”
The Jets (2-1) will host the Denver Broncos (0-2) on Sept. 29 in East Rutherford. The Patriots (1-2) will face the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) on Sept. 29 in Santa Clara, Calif.
