EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jets fans are hoping to get a longer look at quarterback Aaron Rodgers when New York faces the New England Patriots tonight in New Jersey.
The last time Rodgers stepped onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four plays, tearing his left Achillies tendon in the Jets’ 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
That injury put Rodgers on the shelf for the entirety of the campaign. He was still credited with the win against Buffalo, but it wasn’t until Sunday that Rodgers 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 beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.
Now that the Jets have their first real taste of success with Rodgers under center, New York coach Robert Saleh is banking on the home crowd giving his team a significant advantage on Thursday.
“I hope it’s off the chain,” Saleh said, referring to the type of atmosphere he expects. “I mean, shoot, it’s our home opener coming on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. … You want to play in the spotlight.”
The Jets will need all the help they can get as they try to crack a New England defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (16.5) through the first two weeks of the season.
After picking up a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) faltered late to drop a 23-20 overtime decision against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone from 1 yard out to put New England up 20-17 with 12:43 left in regulation, but the Patriots let Seattle march its way to Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal that tied the game with 55 seconds to go.
Myers nailed a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. New England got the ball to open the extra session but went three-and-out.
It marked the first career loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who is now trying to effectively navigate a short week.
“I think the first thing is to recover. That’s the first thing,” Mayo said. “So in saying that, we’re going to bring the guys in late every day this week. … I think it’s important that those guys rest up. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to get the game plan put together. That’s the first thing.
“Secondly, it comes back to executing. When you’re sore, when you’re tired, that’s what it really comes back to.”
And leaning on the defense might not be an option for New England come Thursday.
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks, and fellow 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 York turned in an estimated injury report, simply holding 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.
–Field Level Media