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          Aaron Rodgers throws first MetLife touchdown as New York Jet

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterSep 20, 2024, 02:19 AM
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Aaron Rodgers hooked up with an old friend for the New York Jets' first touchdown vs. the New England Patriots on Monday night -- a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard, who celebrated by handing the ball to his quarterback. It was Rodgers' first touchdown as a Jet in MetLife Stadium.

          On first down, Rodgers read blitz and threw quickly in the left flat to Lazard, his former Green Bay Packers teammate. Cornerback Alex Austin tried to tackle Lazard in the open field, but the 6-foot-5 Lazard isn't easy to bring down. He grabbed the back of Lazard's jersey, holding on for dear life, but Lazard pulled away and scored, giving the Jets a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

          It capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive. Most interesting thing about the drive: Five different players touched the ball for the Jets.

          The Jets took a 14-0 lead on Breece Hall's 1-yard scoring run in the second quarter.

          The Jets loaded up with blockers, using backup OT Olu Fashanu and backup DT Solomon Thomas as eligible players/blockers in their jumbo package.

          Hall was ruled short initially, but the Jets challenged and the replay showed that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line before he was down.

          Rodgers threw his second touchdown of the night, connecting with Garrett Wilson on a two-yard pass with 6:18 left in the third quarter to give the Jets a 21-3 lead.

          It was a laser from Rodgers, who double-clutched but generated enough velocity on the ball to sneak the ball past the pleading fingertips of cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Wilson, in the slot, ran to the right flat. Gonzalez, covering Wilson all night, tried to jump the route. He came oh-so-close to knocking it down or picking it off.