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Aaron Rodgers delivers winning drive as Jets defeat Titans
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Aaron Rodgers delivers winning drive as Jets defeat Titans

NASHVILLE — It wasn’t classic Aaron Rodgers, but the Jets will take him.

Rodgers mounted a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to give the Jets their first win of the season, a narrow 24-17 victory over the Titans at Nissan Stadium.

Rodgers struggled early, but made just enough decisive throws to pull the Jets to 1-1 after their two-game road trip to open the season.

Titans quarterback Will Levis helped out the Jets with a fumble and an interception, putting the Titans behind 0-2.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws against the Titans on September 15, 2024. Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rodgers completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

But the one thing people will remember from that game is the seven-play, 74-yard drive he orchestrated in the fourth quarter that won the game.

The fourth quarter started with the score tied at 17-17.

Both teams needed points on their first two attacks of the fourth period, but then the Jets broke through.

The Jets took over at their own 26-yard line with 8:41 left in the game.

The first big play of the drive came on third-and-1 when Rodgers found Garrett Wilson for a gain of 26 yards, putting the Jets at the Tennessee 39-yard line.

Braelon Allen celebrates his touchdown during the Jets’ win over the Titans on September 15. AP

After losing six yards on a Breece Hall run, Rodgers found Mike Williams for a 19-yard catch on a 50/50 ball that Williams was able to catch at the Titans’ 19-yard line for his first catch as a Jet.

Rookie running back Braelon Allen then scored his second touchdown of the day.

This was a 20-yard run after scoring on a reception earlier in the game.

Allen’s touchdown gave the Jets a 24-17 lead with 4:31 left in the game.

Titans quarterback Will Levis threw an interception and dropped the ball during the Jets’ Sept. 15 win. USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jets defense then had to fend off one final attack from the Titans.

They reached the Jets’ 8-yard line after Levis made a 13-yard scramble when it looked like he was going to be sacked.

Jets defensive end Will McDonald had his third sack of the game on third down, then Levis’ pass was knocked out of Tyler Boyd’s hands by Jets safety Tony Adams on fourth down.

The Jets played a much better second half than the first, making too many mistakes and looking uninspired.

The Jets were awarded six penalties in the first half, five of which were on defense.

Safety Chuck Clark committed two major personal fouls: one for a tackle with a horse collar and the other for unnecessary roughness.

Jermaine Johnson also drew a personal foul for roughing the passer, although that appeared to be a questionable decision.

The Jets started slowly on both sides of the game.

On offense, they went down on their first three drives and seemed out of sync.

Rodgers seemed a little nervous at first and didn’t have a good view of the field.

Jets running back Breece Hall (20) catches a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) against the Titans on Sept. 15, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

On defense, the Jets struggled to slow the Titans until Levis started giving the ball away.

Tennessee mounted a nine-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a Calvin Ridley field goal from the 10-yard line, giving the Titans a 7-0 lead.

It looked like the Titans were going to take a two-score lead as they drove all the way to the Jets’ 6-yard line, but then Levis made his first big mistake of the game.

He ran away and then collided with Jets defensive end Will McDonald, who was on the ground.

Instead of just going down, he threw the ball backward and the fumble was picked up by Jets linebacker Quincy Williams.

The Jets couldn’t capitalize on that turnover and decided to go for a punt, but Levis gave the ball right back to the Jets.

He threw an interception to Brandin Echols on the first play after the punt.

Jets running back Braelon Allen scores a touchdown against the Titans on September 15, 2024. AP

This time Rodgers took advantage of the turnover.

The Jets covered 73 yards on 12 plays and Rodgers threw a short pass to Allen for a 12-yard touchdown.

It was a nicely executed play with Rodgers feinting Hall to the right and then passing left to Allen for Allen’s first NFL touchdown.

Former Jet player Nick Folk made a 41-yard field goal just before halftime to give the Titans a 10-7 lead.

The Jets got the ball in the second half and after helping the Titans by taking penalties in the first half, they got a big one in return.

Jets cornerback Brandin Echols celebrates an interception during their win on Sept. 15. USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rodgers’ third-and-15 pass to Mike Williams was incomplete and it appeared the Titans had left the field, but Jeffery Simmons was assessed a penalty for roughing the passer, giving the Jets 15 yards and a first down.

On the next play, Hall ran for 30 yards and then Rodgers hit Hall for a 26-yard touchdown pass and a 14-10 Jets lead.

Hall scored with a beautiful catch over Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Irv Charles, who had a great game on special teams, blocked a Ryan Stonehouse punt with 8:18 left in the third quarter, giving the Jets the ball at the Titans’ 30-yard line.

But the Jets offense couldn’t get the ball into the end zone on special teams.

Instead, they had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein, extending their lead to 17-10.

The Titans answered the ensuing drive with a touchdown from Ridley, who tied the score thanks to an incredible catch.

The score was set by a 21-yard scramble by Levis on third-and-1, which kept the drive going.

Levis then threw a ball to Ridley down the right sideline, who was closely covered by Sauce Gardner and Clark closing in on the ball.

However, Gardner didn’t look back at the ball and Ridley made a diving catch for the touchdown, tying the score at 17-17 with 3:22 left in the third period.

During the Levis run, the Jets suffered a serious injury. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson tore his right Achilles tendon while chasing Levis. If the tendon ruptures, Johnson will likely miss the rest of the season.