FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Jets in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Marcus Jones wins it on Jets' big mistake: In an absolutely puzzling move, the Jets, who did a great job punting to the boundary the entire game, saw punter Braden Mann punt down the middle of the field with a line drive beyond his coverage with 26 seconds left and the result was a walk-off touchdown for Marcus Jones.
"I thought Braden did a really nice job of punting the ball today. He hung one out in the middle and that's about it," said Jets coach Robert Saleh.
This felt like a game where both teams didn't want to make a game-changing mistake on offense, especially with their young quarterbacks. And give them credit, both Mac Jones and Zach Wilson took care of the ball.
But make no mistake, the Jets did make the huge error that swung this game — on special teams. There's no way you let the Patriots, with one timeout remaining, return that punt. Can't happen. And it cost the Jets the game.
See ya later, @MarcusJonesocho 🔥
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 20, 2022
📺: #NYJvsNE on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ESLv961Lbu
It's a feather in the cap for the front office led by Matt Groh, which selected Jones in the draft for these types of plays. There was a lot of respectful excitement and high-fives from the back row of the press box after this play.
Marcus Jones punt return for a touchdown, dots!!@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/rfnDbscGWE
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) November 20, 2022
Defense dominates Wilson, Jets: You won't see many more impressive defensive statistical games than the Patriots put up in this one as they limited the Jets to 103 total yards, six first downs, and 3 of 14 on third down. The Jets had five consecutive three-and-outs to start the second half (-8 net yards). They total 1 yard — 1 — in both the third and four quarters. It is the fewest yards allowed by the team in a half in franchise history. The previous low was 25 yards by the Los Angeles Rams in the first half on Dec. 4, 2016.
Matthew Judon now leads the NFL with 13 sacks after posting another 1.5 for 13.5 yards. Deatrich Wise (sack, another tackle for loss, pass breakup) had another big game as Kyle Dugger was second with six tackles, a sack and another tackle for loss.
"Obviously a big day for us defensively, 100 yards total offense," said Belichick. "That's a great job by the staff, the players and all the units that played, running game, passing game, pass rush, coverage, third down. We played well on defense, as did the Jets.
Despite no touchdowns, offense showed signs of progress: Nobody is going to be happy with three offensive points, 4 of 15 on third down and 0 for 2 in the red zone, but considering the elements (a brutal crosswind cut down much of the downfield passing for much of the game) and a stout Jets defense, the Patriots were marginally better in this game as they totaled nearly 300 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per play. Rhamondre Stevenson had two huge catch-and-runs in long yardage to add 56 yards on six catches. He was bottled up in the running game (15 for 26), but Damien Harris had 65 yards on eight carries. Mac Jones was an efficient 23 of 27 for 246 yards through the air for a 104.6 rating. Jakobi Meyers and Jonnu Smith each averaged over 10 yards on four receptions. The offense moved the ball well — at one point in the second and third quarters, the Patriots had four of six drives penetrate the Jets' 40-yard line — but had one field goal and two missed field goals to show for it. Sacks (six), penalties (8 for 55 overall) and negative plays were big issues.
"We moved the ball," said Belichick. "We had 300 yards of offense but only three points. So did a poor job of finishing our drives, getting the ball in good field position into scoring range or getting the ball in the red area into the end zone. We've got to find a way to do that better, but it's good to do it from a win."
"I think obviously we moved the ball pretty well today, so that's a fact," Jones added. "We've got to be able to move it through that fringe area better, and we've got to watch the tape and see what we can do better, but I thought we stayed together as a unit, didn't lose our cool and worked together to try to win.
"Tough conditions to play in, 20-, 25-mile-per-hour winds. So proud of the guys for catching the ball and doing all that stuff. The linemen did good. I think some of those sacks are coverage sacks, and it kind of is what it is. That's football, right? You're in long yardage, and they have good players on the defensive side of the football, and that team specifically with the defensive line. Did some good things. Definitely want to get through the fringe and score more touchdowns."
TURNING POINT
Well ... we were headed for overtime and possibly a sizzling 3-3 tie until the Jets decided to let the Patriots return the final punt, and then Marcus Jones turned on his jets.
SECOND GUESS
A lot of them ...
... 4th and 1 at the Jets' 6-yard line after the end of the first quarter ... Patriots call a timeout and then kick a field goal. Then again, it was the only offensive points they would get.
... How many more illegal procedure penalties is Kendrick Bourne going to get?
... Patriots had to use their first timeout of the second half on special teams and after offsetting penalties, lost 13 yards of field position. That's Jets stuff.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
THREE UP
Marcus Jones: The kid gets up to speed with a lot quickness.
Matthew Judon: Every single week he has multiple huge plays.
Rhamondre Stevenson: His two receptions in long yardage really bailed out this offense at times.
THREE DOWN
Cole Strange: Looked like he was again boxing out of his weight class against Quinnen Williams.
Nick Folk: Two missed field goals are two missed field goals. A new holder and the wind didn't help.
Yodny Cajuste: Struggled at times with giving Mac Jones enough time.
INJURIES
C David Andrews (thigh) was helped off the field and into the locker room. It would be a surprise if his season isn't over. This is a huge, huge loss.
OT Isaiah Wynn (foot) left the game early and was ruled out for the game. I think they can manage this injury.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The weather conditions were a big issue in this game: Not sure how it came across on TV, but the wind was a huge issue in this game and helped to limit the offense. It wasn't quite the Buffalo game last year, but it was in a similar ballpark. It completely changed how the game was called and executed and must be taken into account. Nearly 300 total yards in that weather is like 425 on a regular day. Weather happens.
Get Mac Jones the $#%& under center: Seriously, how many more times do the Patriots have to look like a capable offense for 50 yards with Jones under center, with the threat of a running game and playaction, and then Matt Patricia puts him back in shotgun and runs some bull@$%& that goes for negative yards and ruins the drive?!
First drive of third quarter: 5 yards, 30 yards, 15 yards under center ... shotgun: sack, hold, checkdown, checkdown, missed field goal..
Next drive: 20 yards, 20 yards under center. Shotgun: 2, -2, -6 yard sack and punt.
I'm tired of watching this crap.