The New England Patriots literally out played Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. And the Patriots did it with their now “second string quarterback, Jacoby Brissett. What a game!!!
The New England Patriots New Franchise Quarterback , Drake Maye was Knocked Out of the Game!
After the opening volley of possessions resulted in punts, New England’s new franchise quarterback, Drake Maye drove his offense down the field. With 5:18 left on the clock in the first quarter, Maye scrambled right from the New York Jets 17 yard line for the games first touchdown. The Patriots kick was good, and it appeared early on that Jerod Mayo, calling his team out as “soft”, may have had a positive effect on the Patriots during this weeks practice.
But Aaron Rodgers and the Jets needed this win. Their next possession started at their own 30 yard line and culminated in a Rodgers short middle pass to tight end, Tyler Conklin for a 2 yard touchdown. The Greg Zuerlein extra point was NO GOOD, foreshadowing things to come for New York. The score was now 7-6 in favor of the New England Patriots.
In their next possession, Drake Maye was, once again, driving the Patriots down the field. But then it happened. Maye scrambled for a first down. Unfortunately, the New York Jets defender, used his head in making the tackle, litterally. After staying in the game for a few plays, Maye was retired from the game and put in concussion protocol. New England’s fans will wonder about this hit, but the fact remains their new “franchise quarterback” was now out of the game. The Patriots eventually punted.
Aaron Rodgers, and the Jets, then drove 59 yards down the field. From the 1 yard line, Rodgers completed his next pass to Xavier Gipson for the touchdown. This time Zuerlein’s kick was good and the Jets took the lead 13-7.
The New England Patriot’s “Next Man Up”, Jacoby Brissett Took Over the Quarterback Reigns
Enter the game journeyman quarterback, Jacoby Brissett for the Patriots. Pats fans were on pins and needles hoping Brissett’s “starter” experience, prior 696 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes, would give the backup the confidence to help the Patriots to reclaim the lead. But the next possessions of both teams led to punts and the Jets went in the locker room with a 13-7 lead at half time.
The 1st possession of the second half saw the Jets punt. Rodgers & Company just couldn’t seem to get it together. After Rodgers thew the ball away on 3rd down, the Jets went 3 and out. The Jets punted 52 yards. But New England’s Marcus Jones returned the punt 62 yards to the New York Jets 26 yard line.
Rhamondre Stevenson is Becoming a “Go To” Guy for New England
After that punt, New England fans, might have been wishing Tom Brady was still on the roster ready to close the deal and score. But Brissett and the Patriots’ offense were up to the task leaving the fans with a distant memory of Brady on this particular Sunday afternoon.
Under Brissett’s stewardship, on the first play of the series,on the first play of the series, Rhamondre Stevenson off the right end for 6 yards. Brissett then threw a short pass to Kayshon Boutte for for 8 yards putting New England on New York’s 12 yard line. Two plays later, Stevenson caught a Brissett pass for a 14 yard gain moving the ball to the Jets 3 yard line. Stevenson then ran the ball i8n for a Patriots touchdown and after the Joey Slye extra point, the Patriots led 14-13.
The Jets then marched down the field. But again, their drive stalled as on 3rd and 11, Rodgers threw a short pass, incomplete, to Davante Adams. But the jets kicked a 29 yard field goal and the score was now 16-14 in favor of New York.
The Patriots and Jets then traded punts with New England punting again with 00:10 seconds left in the third quarter. The Jets then proceeded down the field to the Patriots’ 26 yard line. But they went no further. And that’s when it happened…the turning point of the game. The Jets kicker missed his first of two 4th quarter field goal attempts.
The Patriots next drive went 14 plays for 61 yards resulting in a field goal. The score was 17-16, in favor of New England.
After that, the Jets drove 70 yard and 10 plays. Aaron Rodgers handed off to Braelon Allen for a 2 yard rush and the touchdown. But the jets luck had run out. They attempted a 2 yard conversion and Aaron Rodgers pass to Mike Williams failed to convert. New York now led 22-17 with 2:57 on the clock.
The final drive for the New England will go down in Patriots lore. Jacobi Brissett, the journeyman quarterback, recently demoted to second string, took the team 70 yards in 12 pays down the field to put the game away 25-22. The final touchdown saw Rhamondre Stevenson plunge 1 yard into the end zone. Stephenson then caught a short a pass from Brissett to score the 2 point conversion.
Rodgers, and to a lesser extent, the New York Jets, had now lost to the Patriots, the “softest” team in the NFL, (per their head coach, Jerod Mayo). But where does that put the Jets? Well they are now tied with the Patriots for last place in the AFC East. They are not a good football team and like the Patriots, barring divine intervention, they will not make the playoffs. This has to hurt their fans as the New York Jets ARE NOT in a “rebuilding year”.
The question has to be asked? Will Aaron Rodgers retire at the end of this season. An earlier article predicts his retirement at the end of this season.
In the game, Rodgers completed 17 of 28 passes for 233 yards for only 2 touchdowns. He was sacked once and hurries 9 times. His QBR was only 52.8. He struggled…and not just because of his offensive line. He struggled as a quarterback. He’s 41 years old and he showed it today. He is NOT the “Aaron Rodgers of old” rather looked like “an old Aaron Rodgers”. Time to retire and preserve his legacy.
Prior to getting knocked out of the game in the 2nd quarter, New England’s Jake Maye, went 3 for 6 passing receptions for 23 yards. He carried the ball 3 times for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. Jacoby Brissett finished the game 15 for 24 passing completions for 132 yards and a 75.6 QBR.
What does this mean for the Patriots? Well, while their “franchise quarterback” may be out for a game, they now know they have an accomplished, winning, season quarterback, in Jacoby Brissett, to help them through the rest of the season and during Drake May’s concussion recovery. The Patriots might not make the playoffs this year, but they are well on their way to a successful rebuilding year. If they play with the heart they showed to day, they should win 6 more games and finish 8-9…a respectable record for a rebuilding team.