EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — — Aaron Rodgers was in complete control of the game during a fantastic homecoming that left the New York Jets fans cheering and chanting.

And this time, Rodgers was able to leave the field, healthy and a winner.

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

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

Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field a little over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York’s season opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or played in his third game in 11 days — as he made multiple scrambles and off-balance throws all night, slicing through New England’s defense with surgical precision.

“It felt great,” Rodgers said. “I felt really 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’m going to continue to extend plays as I get more comfortable. This was kind of a first step in playing the way I know I can play.

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

Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards with touchdown passes to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, helping the Jets (2-1) end an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2).

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

New York, which snapped a 15-game losing streak to New England last season in Bill Belichick’s final game as coach of the Patriots, tackled 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 completed 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards and was sacked twice, but Patriots coach Jerod Mayo wasn’t sure he would make a quarterback change anytime soon.

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

Breece Hall scored a point for the Jets, who also ended a six-game losing streak on Thursday night.

And there was never any doubt in this matchup between the AFC East rivals.

“There are a lot of good things to build on from this game,” said Rodgers, who ran onto the field to thunderous applause.

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

After the Jets’ first drive stalled, Rodgers guided them down the field, aided by a mental lapse 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 suited to 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 stop him, but instead received only a handful of Lazard’s undershirt that stretched for several yards like a rubber band before Lazard broke away and fired into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

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

Rodgers and the Jets kept the game alive on their next offense, capping a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a 1-yard run by Hall, which was overturned on video review after it was initially ruled that he had not crossed the goal line.

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

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

It was the third straight game that the Jets scored at least three touchdowns on offense.

After Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets extended 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 right, to be honest with you.”

Crooked

In the first half, the Jets outgained the Patriots by 252 yards to 40 and had 17 first downs to New England’s four. It was the fewest first downs for the Patriots in a 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.

Injuries

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

Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured his knee on the final play of the third quarter and did not return. First-round pick Olu Fashanu replaced him.

Next

Patriots: In San Francisco on September 29.

Jets: Host Denver on September 29.

——

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