FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ season-ending victory over the Jets in quickie form (headlines, turning point, second-guesses, three up & down, injuries, top plays, and takes Bedard will regret later) with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Patriots played a complete game in all three phases: It wasn't exactly complete domination — the Jets had four offensive possessions enter New England territory and came away with just three points — but it was pretty darn close, even against a struggling team missing starters on both sides of the ball. On offense, the passing game was the best it has been in weeks, the running game was inconsistent but largely effective, the pass defense was terrific, the run defense was solid and the special teams were good. For a final game that locked up another first-round bye for the Patriots, this was largely what they wanted to see. Now it's time to rest and wait for the next opponent.
Varied passing game finally takes shape: It seems like we've been waiting for most of the second half of the season for, a) Tom Brady to look like his normal self, and b) for him to be decisive and whip the ball all over the field to different receivers. Well, we finally got that on Sunday. Brady completed 24 of 33 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns (133.8 rating). More importantly, he completed passes to eight different targets, with four different players scoring touchdowns. Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett were furloughed from witness protection to catch 11 of 16 (5 of 5 for Dorsett) for 98 yards and a score.
Defense closes season strong: The Patriots allowed a season-low three points to the Jets to finish the season having allowed 17 or fewer points in seven of their final nine games. The defense allowed one touchdown over the last 10 quarters. In the final five games of the season, the Patriots allowed opponents to convert just 27.5 percent of third downs. Against the Jets, the Patriots had four sacks, forced three fumbles (recovered all three, including one for a touchdown) and only allowed 4.2 yards per pass attempt.
TURNING POINT
The Jets were threatening to make a game of it at 21-3 early in the third quarter when they crossed midfield and faced a third-and-10 at the New England 49 with 11:04 left in the third. It looked like the line handled New England's four-man rush, but Jets QB Sam Darnold actually ran himself into pressure, as rookies are known to do. Darnold eventually collided with Deatrich Wise (low) and Adam Butler (high) as the ball popped out to Kyle Van Noy, who ran 46 yards for a touchdown that effectively ended the game at 28-3.
SECOND GUESS
Nothing other than two chances in the second half to go for it in short yardage on fourth down, and they elected to punt on both occasions. Perhaps Bill Belichick wanted to go easy on Todd Bowles, who's likely out as Jets coach. Didn't love the failed fourth-down run before halftime either.
THREE UP
Trey Flowers: Seemed like he was all over the field and the Jets' backfield, which he should be considering New York RT Brent Qvale is one of the worst in the NFL. Officially, Flowers was second on the team with six total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He did well against the run as well. "Trey's given us great play all year," said Belichick. "He's a tough matchup guy. He played left end and he also played inside today as he does in most games. He can match up on the tackles. He can match up on the guards and centers and that gives us some flexibility with some other players as well. He's had a tremendous year for us and he always does a tremendous job."
Tom Brady: There were probably a few throws QB1 would like back — like a couple of misfires in the end zone to Hogan — but largely, this was Brady playing at his normal level. He was efficient, decisive, accurate and threw to everyone. He even kept plays alive. If the Patriots get this Brady in the postseason, they can match up with anyone.
Stephon Gilmore: I don't recall him giving up much of anything on the outside — the same goes for his running mate, J.C. Jackson — in man coverage. Darnold made a few anticipation throws against zone, but that's going to happen. Gilmore capped a strong season. When he wants to be the best on the field, he usually is.
THREE DOWN
Whoever was responsible for not using Hogan and Dorsett more: Not sure if that's Josh McDaniels, Belichick or Brady, but it was silly for them not see more targets before this game.
The decision to have Edelman return punts in the fourth quarter: Come on, why tempt another Wes Welker 2009-type scenario? If he's going to be back there, make him fair catch. Or, better yet, let someone else take backup reps.
Walt Coleman/Henry Anderson for that roughing the passer penalty: Yes, it was dumb for Anderson to even touch Brady after he threw away third-and-18 pass with 12:05 left in the second quarter, but it was much worse for Coleman to actually throw the flag when Brady wasn't hit high, low, or there was a chance for him to be injured. This is football. Brady is wearing pads. Let it go. I've seen Wise get away with worse this season.
INJURIES
Devin McCourty (head): Collided with Dont'a Hightower in the third quarter and then went to the locker room and was ruled out.
Deatrich Wise (left hand): Was shaken up again in this game with a left hand injury. By the looks in the locker room, it's a broken or dislocated left middle finger. Been an issue most of the season.
TOP PLAYS
White TD
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
I feel more confident in what I'm going to get from the defense than the offense: If the Patriots' defensive tackles come to play and two-gap, and the secondary plays mostly man coverage, I'm confident they will do enough against anyone (maybe outside of the Chiefs) for the Patriots to win the game scoring only in the mid-20s on offense. I'm not sure I can say the same about the Patriots' offense ... outside of the Chiefs. Yes, New England finally looked like itself in this game — against a bottom-third defense missing starters and playing for nothing. The same still holds: If the Patriots face an average-to-good defense in the postseason, I'm not sure what offense is going to show up. I know what to expect out of the defense, and it should be good enough.
The Patriots will go as far as Brady, White and Edelman will take them: It was nice and somewhat comforting that Brady spread the ball around and got everyone involved. We haven't seen that in weeks. I'm not so sure that's going to continue, however, and it needs to. If the Ravens or Chargers come in here in the divisional round (the Patriots know how to beat Romeo Crennel and the Texans), I think Brady is going to close ranks and most of the passing game will run through James White and Julian Edelman. Both have done it before, and from the looks of Sunday, both are feeling good and ready to carry the load.