Jets' Aaron Rodgers returns to huge cheers for 1st home game since Achilles tendon injury last year

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — No American flag this time for Aaron Rodgers. But a thunderous ovation greeted the New York Jets quarterback as he jogged onto the field at MetLife Stadium.

Rodgers was home again and ready to play. Finally.

The 40-year-old four-time MVP made his first home start Thursday night since leaving his debut with the Jets with a torn Achilles tendon just over a year ago. And he walked off a winner after he helped lead New York to a dominant 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots.

Rodgers was the last Jets player introduced to the crowd — “And, your quarterback ...,” blared the public address announcer — before the game and the fans, many wearing green and white No. 8 jerseys, went into a frenzy. Fireworks lit up the night sky and the LED wristbands given to the fans in attendance made the stands glow in a sea of green light.

And he delivered some excitement in the first half, helping the Jets to a 14-3 lead.

Rodgers' first touchdown at home with the Jets went to his former Green Bay teammate Allen Lazard, who raced from the end zone right to his quarterback to give him the ball and help Rodgers celebrate the moment.

Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards and two touchdowns, and also was able to keep plays alive with his legs all night.

“This was kind of a first step in playing like I know I’m capable of playing,” he said after the game. “I felt like I was, you know, myself.”

The last time Rodgers jogged onto the field to play at MetLife Stadium, he emerged from the tunnel carrying an American flag on Sept. 11, 2023, the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The crowd roared while the flag fluttered behind him.

Rodgers called it one of the most special moments of his playing career.

Minutes later, the excitement and jubilation were replaced by the shocking sight of the quarterback struggling to get up and off the field. Rodgers had torn his left Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his Jets debut.

Tests confirmed the diagnosis the next day. He had surgery on Sept. 13.

Rodgers said he had brief thoughts of doubt immediately after the injury, wondering if it was the last time he'd ever play. He turned that into motivation, aiming for an unlikely return late last season if the Jets made the playoffs. Once New York fell out of the postseason hunt, Rodgers focused on being ready for Week 1 this year.

He made it, and Rodgers was solid but unspectacular in a season-opening loss to San Francisco followed by a win at Tennessee during which he went 5 for 5 passing to lead the Jets on a winning touchdown drive. Rodgers entered the game against the Patriots with three touchdown passes, 343 yards passing and an interception.

And now he's back at MetLife Stadium, looking forward to further pushing the disappointment of his last start at home by creating a few other memorable moments. For the right reasons this time around.

“I mean, I feel good about it. It’s been a long time since I took the field at ‘JetLife,’” Rodgers said earlier this week. “So, it’ll be a lot of emotions, for sure. But we’re thankfully already into the third game of the season.

“Played two full games, body feels good, about as good as it can on a short week.”

The Jets played their third game in 11 days to start the season, a tough stretch for any player, let alone a 40-year-old quarterback still shaking off the rust from a long layoff and playing with a surgically repaired Achilles tendon.

“Testing the body, for sure,” Rodgers said. "I’ll be ready to go Thursday night and look forward to three days off.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) motions to fans as he walks off the field after playing against the New England Patriots in an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) steps back to pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) steps back to pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cale Makar had a power-play goal and an assist, Parker Kelly scored short-handed and the Colorado Avalanche capitalized on special teams to get a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Nathan MacKinnon had an empty-net goal and two assists, Valeri Nichushkin also scored and the Avalanche picked up where they left off after scoring twice on the power play in a 4-2 win at San Jose on Thursday night. Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves.

Kelly tied it at 1 on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush in the second, and Nichushkin put Colorado ahead midway through the period. Makar made it 3-1 with a wrist shot early in the third, picking up his fifth power-play goal and 18th point with a man advantage.

Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn scored for Anaheim. John Gibson made 19 saves, including a penalty shot by Samuel Girard with 5:24 left in the third, but lost for the fifth time in six starts.

Avalanche: The decision to overhaul their goaltending has paid off so far, with Colorado winning six of nine games with Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood starting in net.

Ducks: Jacob Trouba got his first point as a Duck since getting traded from the New York Rangers on Dec. 6 when Carlsson redirected the veteran defenseman's shot early in the second.

Makar's shot is too good to be left with time and space on the power play, and he punished the Ducks' over pursuit on the penalty kill 3:30 into the third.

MacKinnon became the first player in the NHL to pass the 40-assist mark this season, picking up the secondary helper on Nichushkin’s goal and the primary on Makar's.

The Avalanche host Seattle and the Ducks visit Utah on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) blocks a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) stop a shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) celebrates after his goal with center Jansen Harkins (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) scores past Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton (67) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after a goal by right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)