5 takeaways from the Jets' 24-3 win over the Patriots

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After a pair of games to start 2024 where we saw an up-and-down showing from the Jets offense… they were jetting all the way up against the Patriots. The effort started at the top with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He was his vintage self and that was bad news for New England.

Rodgers started hot and finished 27-for-35 passing with 281 yards and two touchdowns. After the rushing attack led the offense in the first two weeks, it was Rodgers’ night.

Rodgers pushed the ball down field all night long. Perhaps more importantly, a ton of players caught passes from him. At least eight players had a catch from him and that keeps every defensive back on their toes. That helped Rodgers surpass 200 passing yards for the first time in a game this year.

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When an offense rolls like the Jets did, it helps stop an opponent’s run game. Then they have to throw the ball, abandon the run game, and the Patriots did that.

However, in the first half, New York’s front seven gave New England nothing even when they could still hand it off. Pats running back Rhamondre Stevenson entered the contest with 201 yards rushing. He barely surpassed 10 in the first half and finished with 23 total. Head coach Robert Saleh said that aspect of the defense would be fixed, it just took an extra week.

Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) sacked by New York Jets defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) and defensive end Will McDonald IV (99) in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

It was a bad night to be Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots quarterback was running around a lot and getting hit plenty.

The Jets decided to blitz a lot more than their first two games and that helped. The defensive front ended up being rewarded.

Those notching sacks for the Jets included Will McDonald IV (1.5), Quinnen Williams (1) and Micheal Clemons. (0.5), among others. In total, Brissett was hit 15 total times as well.

In an added treat, McDonald and Clemons did Jermaine Johnson’s sack celebration as he recovers from his Achilles injury. A nice touch.

Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) signals first down after a catch against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

In a huge twist, the Jets got their tight ends involved in the offense. As noted, Rodgers was spreading the ball around and these guys were included.

In fact, Tyler Conklin led the Jets. After a combined two catches for 16 yards in their first pair of games. Conklin had five grabs for 93 yards on Thursday which led the team. In addition, Jeremy Ruckert had two for 15. That keeps a defense honest.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets scrambles against the New England Patriots during the second quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

As is customary with a Thursday game, the Jets now will have an extended period off. After three games in 11 days, that’s well deserved.

However, head coach Robert Saleh has to make sure this momentum rolls into Week 4 and beyond. It feels like it certainly will. This is the first time in a long time where an offense wearing the green and white looked like a group to be confident in.