FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Jets in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Injuries start to mount: At one point, both Julian Edelman (chest) and Josh Gordon (hip/back) were lost before halftime. Gordon returned, but then left again with a left-hand injury. Then Dont'a Hightower (left shoulder) left for the blue tent but returned to the sideline. Jakobi Meyers got more time with Edelman out. According to NFL Network, the x-rays were negative on Edelman. Adam Butler (foot) was also in and out of the lineup. Oh, and just for kicks, it appeared as if RB Rex Burkhead went for x-rays after the game.
Here's the play where Julian Edelman first showed any signs of injury. Left arm/shoulder/rib (?)#Patriots pic.twitter.com/THACITIen5
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 22, 2019
Josh Gordon catches everything: No Antonio Brown means more for other receivers, especially Josh Gordon. He made three highlight-reel catches in this one and finished with six catches for 83 yards.
TURNING POINT
The Patriots were leading 13-0 late in the second quarter when they faced a 3rd and 9 from their own 42-yard line. Julian Edelman got open against multiple Jets defenders in the middle of the field and converted on a diving catch for 15 yards. That set up Edelman's first touchdown of the season to make it 20-0. It was over at that point.
JULES ? Tom Brady connects with Julian Edelman in the end zone for the touchdown! #Patriots pic.twitter.com/aQ1G534Ldn
— Casey Baker (@CaseyBake16) September 22, 2019
SECOND GUESS
Not going to knock Bill Belichick for taking Brady out of the game at 30-7 with about 9 minutes left. Jarrett Stidham just has to be better than sailing Brandon Bolden and throwing a pick-six to make it interesting enough that Brady had to be re-inserted. Would have been better if Belichick pulled Brady last week and maybe that action would have better set Stidham up for success.
THREE UP
Jamie Collins: Was all over the field making plays against the Jets. Not only did he have two sacks, but he also led the team in tackles (seven), generated a ton of pressure on the quarterback and batted a pass down.
Josh Gordon: Seemed to take another step in his game today with some difficult catches in coverage. It's to the point now that it's gone from waiting for Gordon to go MIA, to him being a very important piece of this offense.
Julian Edelman/Phillip Dorsett: With James White out for the birth of his child, Edelman and Dorsett were the primary chain movers as they combined for 13 catches on 17 targets for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Dorsett's consecutive catch streak was halted on a very close play that Belichick challenged.
THREE DOWN
Sony Michel/running game: We wrote about it earlier in the week, but it might be worse now after Sunday. Michel averaged 1.9 yards per carry in this game, and he's at 2.4 per carry for the season. The Patriots averaged 2.5 yards per carry as a team, and you can't use the offensive line as an excuse since Marcus Cannon was back and played the entire game. One lineman does not make a difference, and Isaiah Wynn played first game.
Gunner Olszewski: Just can't have that muff, in that spot, on the field. Hopefully the Patriots give him another chance. Others (Riley McCarron, Chris Harper) were not so lucky.
Jarrett Stidham: When you get into the game up 30-7, you have one job — don't turn the ball over. He just can't miss an easy throw like that, that badly.
INJURIES
Julian Edelman (chest): Did not return.
Josh Gordon (hip/back, hand): Returned and finished.
Adam Butler (right foot): Stayed in the game.
Rex Burkhead (unknown): Went for x-rays after the game.
Dont'a Hightower (left shoulder): Returned to the sidelines.
TOP PLAYS
Blocking by @ShaqDiesel_70 & the o-line.
Running by @Flyguy2stackz.#NYJvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/JveHEoxn78
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
Catch, run, score.@dorsett_4 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/258gYlOZrj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
?to ?️@TomBrady | @edelman11 pic.twitter.com/xTjLOSRieB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
Beware of D-Mac.@McCourtyTwins | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/Ga6shu8weK
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
HOW?!
What a catch, @JOSH_GORDONXII! pic.twitter.com/2LSyzkPbj8
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
? SPECIAL TEAMS HIGHLIGHT ? pic.twitter.com/x41RWaePfk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
"CAUGHT BY GORDON, WHAT A GRAB!"@JOSH_GORDONXII | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/hvv9PhQseD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Belichick needs to get the Antonio Brown questions over with: If the head coach, who wouldn't answer Brown questions when the receiver was here, thinks he's going to skate on answering questions about Brown's release — "We're just focused on this game," he said after the game — he's making a mistake. Just answer them on Monday's conference call and get them over with. He needs to answer questions in some form. The sooner he closes the book on AB, the sooner this organization can put it in their rearview mirror.
The only thing that can stop this team — down the road — are injuries: I don't care if the Bills came back against the terrible Bengals to run their record to 3-0 before next Sunday's game. The Bills aren't even close to the Patriots' weight class. But if they keep losing people, like Edelman, Hightower and Burkhead, they're going to have a lot more games where they have to grind it out. And they don't need that. They should be on cruise control until the Ravens game. Maybe the Browns. Time to figure out a plan to help mitigate the injuries.