The New York Jets offense, and Aaron Rodgers in particular, seemed to be in the lead in their 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Football on Thursday evening.

A sharp Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, showing off the arm strength and talent that have made the four-time MVP one of the league’s best quarterbacks in recent years.

And although Rodgers threw his first touchdown pass to 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, his much-touted connection with the Jets’ young receiver has yet to take off.

When asked about the slow start with Wilson, Rodgers couldn’t resist making a joke about ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

“The entire focus of all three defenses we played against was to take Garrett (Wilson) off the field,” Rodgers said. “Mel Kiper’s worst nightmare. A lot of cover-2. And if we’re one-high, we try to get to him, but a lot of two-high in all three games.”

“They stick with him, even at the stud corners. (Charvarius) Ward in Week 1, (L’Jarius) Sneed in Week 2 and (Christian) Gonzales now in Week 3. Not a lot of singles. It’s a tribute to Garrett and his talent.”

Rodgers casually dropped a joke about Kiper, who caused a stir online on Thursday when he called on the NFL to ban the Cover 2 defense, or two-high safety formation, that was the bread and butter of defensive coordinators earlier this year and in years past.

Wilson, who is being considered a breakout candidate by experts as he enters the year in his third year, has recorded 15 pass catches for 150 yards and one score so far, although he ranks second on the team in pass catches and first in receiving yards.

Rodgers still believes the connection with Wilson will be “special.”

“Allen (Lazard) and I have a good relationship,” Rodgers told Amazon Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung after the game. “Once (No. 5) and I are on the same page, it’s going to be something special.”

Of course, it will also help if the defense stops confronting Rodgers and Wilson with Kiper’s worst nightmare.