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Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss
ESPN Employees Author
Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has lined the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the 12 months by the Nationwide Sports activities Media Affiliation. You may comply with Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets rolled to their second victory of the season on Thursday evening in opposition to the New England Patriots, 24-3. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers impressed in his return to MetLife Stadium, throwing two touchdowns within the first half and prompting the gang to chant his identify.
Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Thursday evening for each groups:
Merely put, it was classic Rodgers, whose second Jets house opener was much more joyous than the primary.
This time, Rodgers dazzled the MetLife Stadium crowd with uncanny accuracy and an array of off-platform throws, passing for 281 yards and two touchdowns within the Jets’ second straight win.
By the tip of the third quarter, the sellout crowd was chanting Rodgers’ identify. Now suppose again to final season’s opener on Sept. 11. The stadium fell eerily silent when, on the fourth snap of the season, Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles and was helped off the sphere.
On Thursday evening, Rodgers (27-for-35) resembled a degree guard, distributing the ball to everybody round him. He accomplished passes to eight totally different receivers. Considerably, the 40-year-old quarterback moved nicely in and outdoors of the pocket, a lot better than he did within the first two video games. That he did this on a brief week — solely three days’ relaxation — bodes nicely for the remainder of the season.
The Jets started the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations. When Rodgers performs like this, all issues appear attainable within the Jets’ universe.
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Describe the sport in two phrases: Utter domination. The Jets managed the ball for 40:04 and outgained the Patriots 400-139.
Promising development: The Jets’ move rush, sans Jermaine Johnson (season-ending Achilles damage) and Haason Reddick (holdout), was frisky. Led by defensive finish Will McDonald IV (2.5 sacks), who now has 5.5 for the season, the Jets smothered quarterback Jacoby Brissett. They completed with seven sacks, bringing the season whole to 14.
Does this imply the protection has returned to its top-five standing? No. Some perspective: It confronted two poor offenses within the Patriots and Tennessee Titans the previous two weeks.
Purchase Allen Lazard’s and Tyler Conklin’s performances: A yr in the past, Lazard was such a nonfactor that he acquired benched after signing a four-year, $44 million contract. He seems to be revived with Rodgers as his quarterback, giving the offense one other weapon on the perimeter.
The previous Inexperienced Bay Packers teammates related within the first quarter on a 10-yard landing, Lazard’s third of the season. He completed with three catches for 48 yards. Conklin, a nonfactor within the first two video games, erupted for 5 receptions for 93 yards. In video games the place Garrett Wilson is quiet, Conklin and Lazard may be good secondary choices within the passing assault.
Largest gap within the recreation plan: Possibly we’re nitpicking, however Rodgers and Wilson nonetheless appear to be figuring out some chemistry points. They had been on totally different pages on a few routes.
Wilson did rating a landing on a 2-yard move — a laser by Rodgers — however it was an in any other case quiet evening for the star receiver, who was lined by cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Rodgers prevented that matchup, as he focused Wilson 9 occasions. Wilson is off to a gradual begin in his third season, drawing extra consideration from opponents.
Subsequent recreation: vs. Denver Broncos (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 29)
All the great vibes the Patriots had generated in two aggressive video games to open the season evaporated in a New York minute on Thursday evening. The rating did not mirror how one-sided it was.
Whereas Rodgers made it look straightforward for the Jets, it was a tractor pull for quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots, whose 4 first downs within the first half had been the fewest the franchise has had in a half since 2000. The Patriots had 40 yards of offense within the first half, as they had been outgained by 212 yards within the first half-hour.
Brissett was sacked 5 occasions and by no means appeared snug within the pocket. The Patriots began rookie Caedan Wallace at left deal with as a result of Vederian Lowe was out with an ankle damage, and his rising pains had been evident on one drive within the second half during which he was known as for back-to-back holding penalties. It seemed like a free-for-all at occasions.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Completely overmatched. From the opening kickoff, the end result by no means felt prefer it was doubtful.
Largest gap within the recreation plan: Blocking and tackling. It sounds easy, however head coach Jerod Mayo mentioned that Thursday video games often come right down to which crew performs with higher fundamentals. That had been an space of energy by means of the primary two video games, however there have been too many free rushers allowed on offense, and too many missed tackles and unhealthy angles on protection.
QB breakdown: Brissett was usually working for his life due to the shaky safety. If there was one throw he’d need again, it was within the first quarter when he had tight finish Austin Hooper down the sphere alongside the left sideline and misfired.
Rookie QB Drake Maye made his NFL regular-season debut with 4:24 left within the fourth quarter, down 24-3. He went 4-8 for 22 yards and was sacked twice.
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Troubling development: That is the second week in a row that the Patriots’ protection hasn’t been in a position to give you decisive solutions in opposition to the move. Rodgers’ knack for getting the ball out rapidly and delivering precisely made it tough to generate strain for a entrance seven enjoying with out linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pectoral muscle).
And the protection within the secondary, which had each starter obtainable, wasn’t to its traditional customary. Mayo had pinpointed the significance of conserving quarterbacks within the pocket after Week 2, and the Patriots had the identical issues in opposition to Rodgers.
Subsequent recreation: at San Francisco 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 29)
