The energy in MetLife Stadium was different. You could feel it through the screen. For weeks, the New York Jets looked like a team stuck in mud, but the Thursday night football score last night tells a story of a massive turnaround. It wasn't just a win. It was a 24-3 demolition of the New England Patriots that basically silenced every critic calling for Aaron Rodgers to retire.
Rodgers looked sharp. Honestly, he looked like the guy who won back-to-back MVPs not that long ago. He was 27-of-35 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. No interceptions. No silly mistakes. Just clinical, efficient football that moved the chains and kept the Patriots' defense guessing for four straight quarters.
It was a statement.
Why the Thursday Night Football Score Last Night Matters So Much
People love to overreact to prime-time games. Usually, that’s a mistake because short weeks lead to sloppy football. But this was different. The Jets dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for over 40 minutes. Think about that for a second. New England barely had time to breathe, let alone mount a comeback.
Jacoby Brissett had a rough night. He was under siege from the jump. The Jets' pass rush, led by Will McDonald IV, lived in the backfield. McDonald ended the night with three sacks. It’s kinda wild to see a young player step up that much when the team is missing Haason Reddick due to that ongoing contract holdout.
The final score of 24-3 doesn't even feel like it captures how lopsided this was. It felt more like 40-0.
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The Rodgers Factor
Rodgers wasn't just throwing checkdowns. He was hitting Garrett Wilson on back-shoulder fades that reminded everyone why the Jets went all-in on a 40-year-old quarterback. Wilson caught his first home-game touchdown of the season, and the chemistry between those two is finally starting to click. It’s about time.
Breece Hall did his thing too. He found the end zone early. He’s basically the engine of this offense, and when he’s rolling, the play-action opens up everything for Rodgers. The Patriots had no answer. Jerod Mayo looked frustrated on the sideline, and you can't blame him. His defense, which is usually the backbone of that team, looked tired and confused.
Defensive Dominance and the Drake Maye Debut
While everyone is talking about the Thursday night football score last night in the context of the Jets winning, we have to talk about the Patriots' quarterback situation. Drake Maye finally got in. It was late in the fourth quarter, and the game was already over, but the rookie got his first real taste of NFL speed.
He took a couple of big hits. Welcome to the league, kid.
He completed 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards. Nothing crazy. But he showed a little bit of mobility that Brissett just doesn't have at this stage of his career. The fans in New England are already screaming for Maye to start next week. It’s a tough spot for Mayo. Do you throw the rookie to the wolves behind an offensive line that looks like a sieve, or do you keep letting Brissett take the punishment?
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The Jets' defense didn't care who was under center. They were relentless. Sauce Gardner was his usual self, locking down his side of the field so effectively that the Patriots barely even looked his way.
Breaking Down the Key Stats
If you look at the box score, a few things jump out immediately:
- The Jets had 25 first downs compared to New England's 11.
- Total yards? Jets 400, Patriots 139.
- Third-down conversions? The Jets were 10-of-15. That is an insane clip.
When a team converts 66% of their third downs, they aren't going to lose. Period. Rodgers was playing "point guard" football, just distributing the ball to whoever was open. Allen Lazard caught a touchdown too, proving that the old Green Bay connection still has plenty of juice left in the tank.
Misconceptions About the "Short Week" Jinx
There’s this narrative that Thursday night games are always bad. Critics say the players are too tired and the coaching is too rushed. Sometimes that's true. But last night proved that if you have a veteran quarterback who has seen every defensive look under the sun, the short week actually becomes an advantage. Rodgers knew exactly where the blitzes were coming from before the ball was even snapped.
New England looked like they were playing checkers while the Jets were playing chess.
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The Patriots' offensive line is a massive concern. They lost Sidy Sow and have been shuffling bodies around for weeks. It showed. Brissett was sacked five times. You can't run an NFL offense when your quarterback is hitting the turf every three dropbacks. It’s unsustainable.
What Happens Next for Both Teams?
The Jets move to 2-1. They have a bit of a "mini-bye" now before facing the Broncos. If they play like they did last night, they should cruise to 3-1. The defense is elite, and the offense is finally catching up.
For the Patriots, it’s soul-searching time. They are 1-2 and the schedule doesn't get any easier. They have to figure out the left tackle spot immediately or they risk getting both of their quarterbacks injured before November.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
- Watch the Jets' offensive line depth. They lost Morgan Moses to a knee injury late in the game. If he’s out for a significant amount of time, that changes the protection scheme for Rodgers. Rookie Olu Fashanu stepped in and looked okay, but losing a vet like Moses hurts.
- Don't start Drake Maye in Fantasy yet. Even if he gets the nod to start next week, that offensive line is a disaster. He’s going to be running for his life.
- Respect the Jets' defense. They are a top-five unit. If you're betting or playing daily fantasy, fading the opposing offense against the Jets is usually a smart move.
- Monitor the Aaron Rodgers "re-entry." He looked mobile last night. He was actually scrambling and throwing on the run, which we haven't seen much of since the Achilles injury. This is a huge sign for his long-term health this season.
The Thursday night football score last night wasn't just a number. It was a shift in the AFC East power dynamics. The Patriots' dynasty is long gone, and the Jets are finally acting like the big brothers in the division. Whether they can sustain this for 17 games is the real question, but for one night in Jersey, everything went exactly according to plan.
New York's defense is the real deal. They didn't allow a single touchdown. They forced punts on nearly every New England possession in the first half. It was a clinic in gap discipline and secondary coverage. If you missed the game, you missed a masterclass in modern defensive football.
Going forward, keep an eye on the injury reports for Moses. That’s the only dark cloud over an otherwise perfect night for Gang Green. The NFL is a week-to-week league, but the Jets finally gave their fans a reason to believe the hype wasn't just off-season talk.