The Jets’ performance in their dominant win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night was gratifying in many ways.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked better than ever this young season, and the defense kept the Patriots from getting going all night. But there was one odd moment that was caught on the broadcast.
In the second quarter, Rodgers was promoted to head coach Robert Saleh on the sideline. Saleh went to hug his quarterback, but Rodgers extended his forearm to appear to ward him off before saying anything.
After the victory, we finally know what really happened.
“It wasn’t awkward at all,” Rodgers said with a smile. “He’s not normally a big hugger, so I didn’t know he was going for the hug. He also likes to do the chest bump with both hands.”
“He talks a lot about a two-point lead. So I just gave him a nudge and said, ‘Two points ahead.’ And that’s what happened.”
“One of the things we talked about was giving the defense a two-point lead,” Saleh said with a laugh. “It was a two-point lead, so he wanted to see something in defense.”
Rodgers certainly saw something from the Jets defense. Gang Green allowed the Patriots just 139 yards of offense and sacked the quarterback seven times.
But it wasn’t just the defense. The Rodgers-led offense gained 400 yards and had 27 first downs. Rodgers’ two touchdowns went to Garret Wilson And Allen Lazardwith Breece Hall and scored a third touchdown for the Jets.
It was an all-team effort and one the Jets wanted to see after their opening loss to the 49ers and narrow win over the Titans in Week 2.
But now the Jets have a 2-1 record for the first time since 2015 and can take a much-needed rest before hosting the Denver Broncos again at MetLife.
