5 plays where Aaron Rodgers looked like his vintage, MVP self in Jets' win over Patriots

Aaron Rodgers made his return in Week 1 and won his first game since his Achilles injury in Week 2, but it all truly came full circle in Thursday night's win over the Patriots. The Jets quarterback came out of the same tunnel he ran out of before his infamous Week 1 injury more than a year ago. Instead of leaving with a feeling of devastation, Rodgers left to a rousing ovation after what was easily his best performance since leaving Green Bay.

The 40-year-old threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, avoiding turnovers for the second consecutive game. By the third quarter, chants of "Aaron Rodgers" rained down from the MetLife Stadium crowd. "AARON RODGERS!" @Nyjets fans get the chant going 🗣️ pic.

twitter.com/uljQlvE2O9 The numbers were impressive, but the eye test was arguably even better for Rodgers. Here's a look at some of the plays where Rodgers looked like his old self in Thursday's win.

MORE: Video of Aaron Rodgers-Robert Saleh interaction raises eyebrows 5 plays where Aaron Rodgers looked like vintage self vs. Patriots Rodgers would be the first to say he still wants to improve, but Thursday's win offered the closest look yet at the player he was when he won back-to-back MVPs with the Packers at the start of the decade. Rodgers flashed his signature precision on this touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, which happened to be his first-ever touchdown pass to a first-round wide receiver.

That precision was absolutely necessary. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez had a read on the play, and an inaccurate pass could very well have ended up in his lap. Instead, Rodgers fit the ball into a tight window for Wilson to score.

when you look up "poetry in motion" 🔥 #NEvsNYJ on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8X6nr01RCQ This wasn't a completion, but Rodgers got the ball where it needed to be before Mike Williams dropped it in the end zone.

Any higher and it likely would've been out of Williams' reach, but any lower and it would've been off Jonathan Jones' head. Mike Williams juuuuusstttss drops the pass from Aaron Rodgers 🤏 Pain for any Over 38.5 bettors out there 😅 pic.

twitter.com/yxNNeqdQFM Williams got this one, though. Rodgers dropped it right into the former Chargers receiver, who was well-covered by Jones.

. @darealmike_dub hauls it in. #NEvsNYJ on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.

twitter.com/HIVNhyhfdm Rodgers took off running three times in the win, which might have been more heartening for the Jets than any throw he made. Even at 40, Rodgers looked comfortable when scrambling.

Aaron Rodgers used his legs to scramble 🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/mvlf4agXWA Plenty of credit goes to the play-call and Tyler Conklin's ability to get himself open here, but Rodgers fired a dart up the middle to his tight end.

This wasn't something the Jets saw much of from their quarterbacks last season. "Outlaw cover 2" while Aaron Rodgers rips a seam to Conklin against it pic.twitter.

com/6Pxgd3emrN MORE: Why Haason Reddick refuses to play for Jets Aaron Rodgers stats vs. Patriots Rodgers finished 27-of-35 for 281 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets' 24-3 win over the Patriots. Those are strong numbers from any quarterback on any day, but with passing offenses struggling so far this season, it's an especially impressive stat line from the former MVP.

Rodgers hit eight different receivers for multiple catches, flashing impressive connections with Conklin and Allen Lazard while Wilson dealt with tight coverage all night. Rodgers' 118.9 passer rating was his best since Week 10 of the 2022 season, and it was better than all but two games from his final season in Green Bay when he won MVP.

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