At age 40, Aaron Rodgers of Chico, California, is still performing at an exceptionally high level. On Thursday, at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, along with three rushes for 18 rushing yards as the New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots 24-3.
Rodgers accomplished two things he has never done before. First, was start and finish a home game for the Jets, and get the win. When the Jets beat the Buffalo Bills 22-16 a year ago in the home opener, Rodgers was barely on the field before tearing his Achilles, which subsequently ended his season. Even though Rodgers was the starting quarterback, this was Zach Wilson’s victory. Then last week, Rodgers got his first win with the Jets, but it came in a 24-17 New York win in Tennessee.
The other feat Rodgers has never accomplished until Thursday night was throw a touchdown pass to a wide receiver who was a first round pick. According to nfl.com, Rodgers’s 479 prior touchdown passes were to wide receivers not drafted in the first round.