Aaron Rodgers isn't a savior just yet, but QB could be just what Jets need

[{"selector":"#anim-1ad1d8ff-1880-4949-a5df-48b8fb31c397 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-941fcae3-12c3-474f-81e7-95c28c808da9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The oldest player in the NFL ran to the left, and seemingly on cue, fans held their breath for a second straight week.

[{"selector":"#anim-cd0c50f2-e9ce-47f4-aed3-df5556aed613 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b84cc36d-0270-4fbb-b39d-faf942f3bf2f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Aaron Rodgers came down onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, his season over after four games, when his first down and five yards on the game's second play came and went.

[{"selector":"#anim-c6bc326a-506f-422f-b1d5-23bd8a71fac8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d18aa5b-050c-40d4-9118-05ebb6c5d8d0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He returned to MetLife. After a 24-3 loss to the Patriots, he looked like the quarterback capable of sending the Jets to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

Unlike last year, Rodgers did not hold an American flag during pregame introductions. He fulfilled a championship-starved team's early-season hopes. Rodgers completed 27-of-35 passes for 281 yards and 2 TDs.

[{"selector":"#anim-df25572c-b965-4b9e-95b8-248d264bd298 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-6.481481505079106%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d6f9ada-188f-462e-8983-da55d281d438","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-70588965-5368-4bf7-81bf-d5c8456da866 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ff1bb70-e0da-4611-8e4d-45136282e3c0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] After the Patriots' defense pressured him on the first play of the second quarter, he vacated the pocket to find Allen Lazard, who ran for 27 yards.

Rodgers initially relied on his receivers. A third-and-5 slant to Garrett Wilson for a first down put the Jets in the red zone. Hall gathered his sidearm pass and caught a yard.

[{"selector":"#anim-4b68ad39-d28c-4c18-8a99-8161b391d3ca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97443ed5-05a7-48be-a340-294eeef598d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-ad6cd990-3acb-4f1b-875f-d2a71f3194cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-277aebb8-8b3d-40d4-b1b6-4bd85bd42bf6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Jets had 17 first downs of the half. With Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian, they averaged 15.3 in 2023 without Rodgers.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ff154be-bcab-449d-9fc4-cfdb551425af [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8509fe8f-43f4-498f-9101-03981f16ca1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Gang Green’s second drive brought another day. Again, the Jets drive 7:10. Another Rodgers first down early in the series. First down came to Conklin with the right-handed ball.

[{"selector":"#anim-1f7c027d-3cee-4a7a-a6e5-26788a691772 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36a84bdc-e9b0-446e-927c-d5107d2cc335","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From Oct. 10, 15, 2000, the Jets had not scored 21 points since Bill Belichick took over in New England. The Jets quarterback has never looked like Rodgers. They found that could be fun.

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