Aaron Rodgers and the reserves paved the way to a New York Jets victory
True to the Snoopy Bowl’s relative namesake, the New York Jets and their fans enjoyed “good grief” on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium – the latter feeling stemming from the fact that their latest game didn’t count.
Aaron Rodgers earned his first metropolitan touchdown tally, appropriately thrown to Garrett Wilson on his second unofficial drive as a Jet. Gang Green backups took care of the rest, as they earned the most basic form of Garden State bragging rights with a 32-24 victory over the New York Giants on Saturday night in the annual summer showdown between the East Rutherford roommates.
🚨AARON RODGERS 1st JETS TD🚨
📺: #NYJvsNYG on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/PSWFIwcLcF— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023
Rodgers’ first green box score saw him go 5-of-8 for 47 yards (plus a 22-yard pass interference drawn by Garrett Wilson). He played two drives on Saturday night, the other ending in a punt after the offense was handicapped by a penalty.
The Jets (2-2) took a two-possession lead thanks to Brandin Echols, who followed up Rodgers’ score with a 67-yard return of a Tommy DeVito interception.
Brandin Echols said 'see ya at home' 😎 pic.twitter.com/1UXLGz9NoL
— New York Jets UK (@NYJetsinUK) August 26, 2023
Defensive depth stars took center stage after Rodgers’ departure, particularly in the form of backfield invasions. Jets defenders had five sacks of DeVito and Tyrod Taylor, including one from Jermaine Johnson on the Giants’ opening possession and two from XFL champion Bruce Hector.
Sack by JJ!#Jets pic.twitter.com/RZA29byvJi
— 🗽NYJETS🗽TWEETZ🗽 (@NYJETSTWEETZ) August 26, 2023
Before the night let out, the Jets’ offensive reserves created the final margin through a pair of scoring hook-ups between Tim Boyle and Alex Erickson.
Tim Boyle to Alex Erickson Passing TD (3/1) pic.twitter.com/x2WTNxF1pY
— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDVideos2023) August 27, 2023
Boyle-to-Erickson x2!!#NYJvsNYG on WNBC & NFLN pic.twitter.com/sDpi9kIqow
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 27, 2023
Undrafted rookie wideout Xavier Gipson shined throughout the night, leading the Jets with seven receptions and 79 receiving yards.
A solid connection from Zach Wilson to Xavier Gipson for 21 yards
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/mIUPr7LJqQ
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 27, 2023
The Giants (1-2) earned their points through a trio of Graham Gano triples (two from at least 56 yards), a one-yard punch-in from Jashaun Corbin, and a late 30-yard score from Tommy DeVito to David Sills V.
Jashaun Corbin puts it in for a Giants touchdown! pic.twitter.com/TZWVDzMxit
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) August 26, 2023
DeVito connects with @dsv and the @Giants get 6 more.
📺: #NYJvsNYG on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/pzqnYf66ev— NFL (@NFL) August 27, 2023
Barring injury, Rodgers will take on a more permanent presence the next time he takes to MetLife Stadium’s turf. In 16 days, the new-look Jets will finally play real football, facing off against the division Buffalo Bills in Monday Night Football’s 54th season debut (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
