For one night at least, MetLife Stadium was truly MetLife Stadium.
Everything was the complete opposite of what it had been in recent years.
Fans at MetLife, usually the epicenter of Jets disappointment and anguish, were filled with optimism for the home opener.
Often expecting the worst and waiting for disaster, they dreamed and wholeheartedly expected success, even as they faced off against the longtime nemesis that had dominated the Jets for a generation: the Patriots.
There was an air of cockiness and arrogance in the crowd, as if they had been the bullies in the relationship all these years.
The fireworks, the roaring support for the Jets, the sense of anticipation, the faith in the quarterback — none of it had been this emotional since last year's home opener.
But this time, after kick-off, the atmosphere became increasingly rowdy as the match progressed.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Jets actually have home-field advantage.
“We played hard. We worked really hard and put in a lot of effort,” coach Robert Saleh said Friday. “I felt like we just had the momentum. Obviously it was our home opener, so that helped us.”
For a long time, it was often counterproductive, having a detrimental rather than helpful effect on the relationship between the fans in the stands and the players on the field.
The boos far outnumbered the cheers and chants — except for calls for a backup quarterback to replace Zach Wilson, Sam Darnold or another struggling point guard.
Fans would not even bother to show up to the stadiums, some wore paper bags over their heads to show their embarrassment, and by the end of most seasons, apathy was widespread.
Through the 10 seasons prior to this one, the Jets were 32-50 at home for a winning percentage of just .390 percent.
This was a slight improvement from their 23-58 (.284 percent) record on the road.
But looking back at last year, the Jets won three straight games at home.
They'll remain at MetLife on Sunday before hosting the Broncos in London for a technical home game against the Vikings, then return to MetLife in Week 6 to face the Bills.
Can the Jets actually turn MetLife into a fortress? They have a chance to set the tone early in the season.
“It's all down to the fans,” center Joe Tippmann said Monday. “We're going to continue to play good football, and when we're on the field, the fans are there and they help steer the game.”
“It gives the guys more confidence, and I think that's something we can do. Especially at MetLife, you have to have that same mentality every time you step on the field.”
Coach Aaron Rodgers acknowledged after the game that Jets fans have “been suffering for a long time” and said, “We're trying to change the whole attitude around here.”
MetLife certainly felt different on Thursday night.
“It was our first home game, it was a night game, it was 'Thursday Night Football,' and everything was great,” linebacker Jamien Sherwood said Monday. “We play in front of a crowd, we love our fans, we love our friends and family that are in the stadium.”
