C-Mac: Thursday's blowout win proved Jets are 'for real'

The Jets further exorcised their Patriots demons on Thursday night, rolling to a 24-3 victory in a game where Gang Green dominated time of possession from start to finish.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers looked like his vintage self, completing 27 of 35 passes and tossing a pair of touchdown passes, including a dart to Garrett Wilson on the run in the near corner of the end zone. Rodgers was obviously the most pivotal piece to the Jets and their chances of success this season, and C-Mac says Thursday night shows that Rodgers is back, and as a result, New York has arrived.

“You have established that this Jet team is for real,” C-Mac said. “I don’t know if they’re gonna live up to the Super Bowl expectations that many of us have put on them. We’ll see. It’s one week, it’s Week 3…but the Patriots didn’t have a chance. Their defense didn’t have a chance.”

So many of the deficiencies of last year’s group have seemingly corrected themselves with Rodgers back and healthy. Allen Lazard, who looked like a bust of a signing in 2023, had another big night, including a touchdown catch, while the offense hummed along with an improved offensive line and Rodgers completing 27 passes on 35 attempts.

All in all, the Jets look like a team ready to compete and end their painfully long playoff drought.

“What having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback does is elevate everything,” C-Mac said. “Right now, how does Nathaniel Hackett look as an offensive coordinator with Rodgers on the field, and the two of them putting forth a game plan?

“Not only does he still have the arm, but he still has the legs...it was so much better than it was two weeks ago. He looked as good as he did at any point in the season two years ago when he was dealing with the thumb injury. This was as good as Aaron Rodgers has been since his MVP season a few years ago.”