New England Patriots vs. New York Jets Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 19th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Jets supporters are eagerly anticipating a longer glimpse at quarterback Aaron Rodgers as New York takes on the New England Patriots on Thursday evening in East Rutherford, N.J.
The previous time Rodgers stepped onto the field at MetLife Stadium, he only lasted four plays before tearing his left Achillies tendon in the Jets' 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
This injury sidelined Rodgers for the entire season. While he was still credited with the win against Buffalo, it wasn't until Sunday that he led the Jets (1-1) to victory while playing for a full game. The 40-year-old completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as New York defeated the Tennessee Titans 24-17.
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Now that the Jets have experienced their first taste of success with Rodgers as their quarterback, head coach Robert Saleh is counting on the home crowd to give his team a significant advantage on Thursday.
"I hope it's electric," Saleh said, referring to the type of atmosphere he expects. "I mean, it's our home opener on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate in all of football. ... You want to play in the spotlight."
The Jets will need all the support they can get as they face a tough New England defense that has only allowed an average of 16.5 points per game in the first two weeks of the season.
After a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) stumbled late and lost 23-20 in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Rhamondre Stevenson scored a touchdown from 1 yard out to give New England a 20-17 lead with 12:43 remaining in regulation, but the Patriots allowed Seattle to drive down the field and tie the game with a 38-yard field goal by Jason Myers with only 55 seconds left on the clock.
Myers then kicked a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. Although New England had the ball first in the extra period, they were unable to score and went three-and-out.
This was the first loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who now has to navigate a short week.
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"The first thing is to recover. That's the most important thing," Mayo said. "So in saying that, we're going to have late practices every day this week. ... It's crucial for the players to rest up. It also gives the coaches time to put together the game plan. That's the first thing.
"Secondly, it comes down to execution. When you're sore and tired, that's what it really comes down to."
However, relying on their defense may not be an option for New England on Thursday.
Multiple media sources reported on Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley suffered a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks. Linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder), safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder), and cornerback Marcus Jones (knee) were all limited in practice on Tuesday.
New England guard Sidy Sow is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Tuesday.
New York released an estimated injury report, having only a walkthrough on Tuesday, but linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) would not have participated in practice. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson announced on Monday that he has a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets Recap SEP 19TH 2024
Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 24-3 on Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.
Rodgers was playing at MetLife Stadium for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon in New York's 2023 season opener. He was injured on the fourth snap in that contest before missing the rest of the campaign.
Jets fans had to be pleased with what they saw on Thursday, though, as the 40-year-old completed 27 of 35 passes and was constantly escaping pressure from New England's front seven. Rodgers was sacked just twice.
Tyler Conklin thrived in New York's passing game, hauling in five catches for 93 yards.
Breece Hall had 54 yards and a TD on 16 carries for the Jets (2-1), who outgained the Patriots 400-139 and controlled the ball for 40 minutes, four seconds. Hall added four receptions for 29 yards.
The Patriots (1-2) struggled to get anything going offensively. Jacoby Brissett had 98 yards on 12-of-18 passing and got no help from the running game. New England did not have a rusher break the 30-yard mark.
No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye made his NFL debut, taking over for Brissett late in the fourth quarter. Maye hit on 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards.
New York virtually put the game away on its first possession of the second half.
After their defense forced a three-and-out to begin the half, the Jets ate 7:10 of clock during a drive that ended with a 2-yard scoring strike from Rodgers to Garrett Wilson.
That provided the Jets with a commanding 21-3 lead and prompted the home crowd to get "Aaron Rodgers" chants going later in the third quarter.
Greg Zuerlein drilled a 28-yard field goal with 10:16 left in the game for the hosts' final points.
New York opened the scoring with 4:21 left in the first quarter when Rodgers connected with Allen Lazard for a 10-yard touchdown.
Hall doubled the Jets' lead with 8:32 remaining in the second quarter, punctuating a 13-play, 91-yard march by rushing into the end zone from 1 yard out to make it 14-0. Officials initially ruled Hall down short of the goal line, but New York successfully challenged the call.
A 34-yard defensive pass interference penalty got New England down to the Jets 25 on the ensuing possession, but the Patriots ended up having to settle for Joey Slye's 44-yard field goal with 3:56 left in the half.