Rodgers sparkles in his first home start since his injury to lead Jets to 24-3 win over Patriots

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers was in total control in a superb homecoming performance that kept the cheers and chants going from the giddy New York Jets fans.

And this time, Rodgers was able to walk off the field — healthy and a winner.

The star quarterback threw two touchdown passes while being showered with “Aa-ron! Rod-gers!” chants throughout, New York’s defense was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots in their home opener Thursday night.

“It was a really special night,” Rodgers said. “All those chants are really meaningful.”

Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field just over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York's opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or playing in his third game in 11 days — while scrambling several times and making off-balance throws all night, slicing through New England's defense with surgical precision.

“It felt great,” Rodgers said. “I was feeling real good out there. I felt good in pregame. I told you guys after Week 1 that it's going to be a process and I'll continue to extend plays once I feel more comfortable. This was kind of a first step in playing like I know I'm capable of playing.

“I felt like I was, you know, myself.”

Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards with TD tosses to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard as the Jets (2-1) ended an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2).

“He may not be what he used to be, but he still has plenty in those legs,” a smiling Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Rodgers. “His arm is still 30 and his mind is still operating at a high level.”

New York, which stopped a 15-game skid against New England last season in Bill Belichick's final game as the Patriots' coach, sacked Jacoby Brissett five times. Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April, made his NFL debut when he replaced Brissett — who was 12 of 18 for 98 yards — with 4:24 left in the game.

Maye finished 4 for 8 for 22 yards and was sacked twice, but Patriots coach Jerod Mayo wasn't sure he would be making a quarterback change any time soon.

“I don't know,” the first-year coach said. “We talk every single week that you’re competing for a job. We’ll get together as a coaching staff and see where it goes.”

Breece Hall ran for a score for the Jets, who also snapped a six-game skid in Thursday night games.

And there was never much of a doubt in this one between the AFC East rivals.

“A lot of good things to build on from this game,” said Rodgers, who jogged onto the field to a thunderous ovation.

Soon after, he sent the crowd into a frenzy again.

After the Jets' first drive stalled, Rodgers marched them down the field — with a little help by a mental mistake from the Patriots.

A first-down pass from Rodgers to Hall was stopped for no gain, but Jahlani Tavai lifted the Jets running back and slammed him to the turf with a move more suitable for the wrestling ring. The 15-yard penalty put the ball at New England's 31.

Four plays later, Rodgers threw a quick out to Lazard on his left. The receiver made a move and Alex Austin reached out to try to stop him, but instead got only a handful of Lazard's undershirt that stretched several yards like a rubber band before Lazard broke away and zipped into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Lazard immediately ran over to his quarterback and handed the ball to Rodgers, who threw his first touchdown pass at home for the Jets.

Rodgers and the Jets kept things going on their next possession, capping a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a 1-yard run by Hall that was reversed by video review after it was originally ruled he was short of the goal line.

Joey Slye's 44-yard field goal cut the Patriots' deficit to 14-3 with 3:56 left in the first half.

New York made it 21-3 with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter when Rodgers zipped a pass to his right and found Wilson, who toe-tapped in the front corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.

It marked the third straight game the Jets had at least three touchdowns on offense.

After Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets increased their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.

“Honestly, it just wasn’t our night,” Brissett said. “I don’t think we did anything well, to be honest with you.”

In the first half, the Jets outgained the Patriots 252 yards to 40 and had 17 first downs to New England's four. It was the fewest first downs for the Patriots in any half since 2000.

The final stats weren't much better: New York finished with 400 yards to New England's 139, and 27 first downs to the Patriots' 11.

Patriots: Austin (ankle), LG Michael Jordan (knee) and rookie LT Caedan Wallace (knee) all left in the fourth quarter.

Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured a knee on the final play of the third quarter and didn't return. First-round pick Olu Fashanu replaced him.

Patriots: At San Francisco on Sept. 29.

Jets: Host Denver on Sept. 29.

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

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) 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 England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (4) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh congratulates New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the Jets scored a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) scores a touchdown against New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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 wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) runs for a touchdown despite the efforts of New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin (28) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) motions on the line of scrimmage 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) reacts after throwing a touchdown 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)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed in his courthouse chambers Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged with murder in the slaying, police said.

The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police. Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was “shocked by this act of violence” and that the court system was “shaken by this news.”

Letcher County's judge-executive signed an order closing the county courthouse on Friday. The courthouse is in Whitesburg, which is 146 miles (235 kilometers) southeast of Lexington.

Mullins, 54, was hit multiple times in the shooting, Kentucky State Police said.

Stines, 43, was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

The investigation is continuing, police said.

It was unclear whether Stines had an attorney. Kentucky State Police referred inquires about Stines’ legal representation Thursday to a spokesperson who did not immediately respond by email.

Responding to the shooting, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with a commonwealth's attorney in the region as special prosecutors in the criminal case.

“We will fully investigate and pursue justice,” Coleman said on social media.

The shooting occurred at the Letcher County courthouse in Whitesburg. The Appalachian town in southeastern Kentucky is 146 miles (235 kilometers) southeast of Lexington, Kentucky.

Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.

Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.

Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.

After the shooting, several area schools were briefly placed on lockdown, including Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and Letcher County Schools, according to media reports.

This undated photo provided by Kentucky Court of Justice shows slain District Judge Kevin Mullins. (Kentucky Court of Justice via AP)