Aaron Rodgers scored his first touchdown as quarterback for the New York Jets on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers after recovering from a nightmare first two drives at Levi’s Stadium.
Breece Hall scored the touchdown from three yards out, moments after angering Rodgers when he dropped the ball on the previous drive.
First, Allen Lazard threw a simple pass from Rodgers, which would have been the Jets’ first down in the opening minutes of the first quarter.
He looked like he was going to slip, but he should have taken the ball anyway. It was a perfect pass from Rodgers.
The Jets defense responded brilliantly, allowing Rodgers to quickly return to the field for his fourth snap of the game — the same time he tore his Achilles tendon last year.
He found Hall, but the running back fumbled under pressure from Fred Warner and the 49ers had a turnover. Rodgers was visibly unhappy, shaking his head as he removed his helmet and ran off the field.
But moments later, Rodgers and Garret Wilson combined for four plays for 45 yards, leading the Jets on a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Hall’s touchdown.
Rodgers threw his first touchdown in the third quarter, picking off Lazard with a dime on a free-kick for a touchdown, keeping the Jets alive late in the third quarter, trailing 26-13.
The Jets got a boost before the game when it was announced that 49ers star Christian McCaffrey would not play due to calf and Achilles injuries.
According to ESPN, the running back is also questionable for next Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.