Patriots vs. Jets live updates: Jacoby Brissett takes on Aaron Rodgers in New York

The Jets are on the board! Aaron Rodgers found Allen Lazard for a 10 yards and a score to cap an eight-play, 73-yard drive.

The Patriots’ first drive wasn’t pretty. A pass for no gain. A one-yard run. And then a throwaway on third down. We’re looking at a defensive battle early.

The Jets’ first drive ended with a punt after a holding penalty and sack on back-to-back plays killed the momentum. Aaron Rodgers looked spry, though. He scrambled for five yards for one first down. And on multiple occasions he moved out of the pocket to buy time, flashing some of the mobility from his younger days.

The Patriots will take over after a touchback on the punt.

Almost as if to prove a point, Aaron Rodgers ran for a first down on the Jets’ first drive tonight. Every eye in the stadium is on Rodgers’ legs and how they’ll hold up on the turf in New Jersey. So far, Rodgers is looking mobile after his Achilles lasted only four plays last season.

New York defensive end Will McDonald had a career-high three sacks in the Jets' Week 2 win against the Titans. He only had three sacks in his first 16 games as a professional.

Head coach Robert Salah raved about his performance postgame.

“McDonald was unbelievable. He was unbelievable. Unbelievable… It felt like he was really bringing power to his game today. I thought a couple of his sacks, or at least one of them, he ran right through that right tackle… If he continues to develop that, he will be able to do that to that guy in his sleep.”

The rookie running back out of Wisconsin scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score against the Titans in Week 2. He also had a 12-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

At just 20 years and 239 days, he became the youngest player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl era.

He won't overtake superstar Breece Hall for carries, but Allen has proven very capable so far of spelling Hall when he needs to come out.

The former NFL QB spoke with NBC Boston this week ahead of the team's matchup with the Jets.

1. Ball security

“I’m gonna stick with this. I know it’s redundant,” Hoyer said. “Ball security, the Patriots have done it in Week 1 and Week 2 and it’s kept them in both games. Obviously, falling short against the Seahawks, but this always gives you an opportunity to win. And I know a lot of people are saying the Patriots need to force the ball down the field. It comes with a risk. You force the ball down the field, it turns into an interception, you give the other team a chance at going down and scoring, especially against a dangerous quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.

“So I know they’re saying force the ball down the field, there’s a time and opportunity to do that, but you don’t want to force it. Ball security is number one, as always.”

The Jets defensive end confirmed reports that he tore his right ACL and would be out for the remainder of the season. A Pro Bowler last season, he suffered the injury in Week 2 against the Titans.

Playing on short notice is never easy...doing it with an offensive line all dealing with injuries is another story.

All five starters appeared on Monday's injury report: Center David Andrews (hip), left tackle Vederian Lowe (knee), and guard Sidy Sow (ankle) were all listed as non-participants. Right tackle Mike Onwenu (wrist) and guard Layden Robinson (shoulder) were both listed as limited.

Not great news for quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

The Jets have scored three touchdowns in each of their first two games, the first time since 2021 they have accomplished that feat. But they rank 26th in the NFL in yards per game (265.5) and have had seven three-and-outs out of 19 possessions so far.

“We haven’t put it together,” Rodgers told reporters this week. “We have some times in games where we are moving it pretty well. But we just haven’t been consistent enough in the passing game or the run game."

New England linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley is out for the season, according to NFL Network, after he suffered a torn pec in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

The 28-year-old had 12 tackles and 0.5 sacks through the two games this season. He is a four-time captain and in his seventh season with New England.

The last time these two franchises met? Future Hall of Famer Bill Belichick's final game as New England head coach. In that matchup, Week 18 in 2024, the Jets won 17-3 in their first win in the matchup since 2015.

Thursday's game will mark the first game between these two teams that does not involve Belichick since 1995.