BSJ Game Report: Patriots 15, Jets 10 - First win comes as defense snuffs out Zach Wilson

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Jets in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Patriots survive: It wasn't pretty anywhere other than the defense against the Jets' putrid offense and it went down all the way to Randall Cobb not being able to corral a potential game-winning Hail Mary on the final play, but the bottom line is the Patriots got their first win to improve to 1-2. With the flipside of that coin being a catastrophic loss to the Jets and 0-3, the circumstances and how it looked really doesn't matter at the end of the day. A win heading to Dallas is a win heading to Dallas.

Defense dominating: Yeah, Zach Wilson was on the other sideline and the Jets were dealing with offensive line injuries that didn't help things, but the Patriots' defense snuffed out an NFL offense. Wilson completed just 50 percent of his passes for 4.4 yards per attempt, he was sacked three times - including a Matthew Judon safety for the final two points. The Jets averaged just 1.7 yards per carry and were 3 of 16 on third and fourth downs, and the Jets averaged just 2.8 yards per play. Yeah, the Patriots gave up a touchdown drive to make this game but the other 12 drives went for 33 yards or less, including nine without a first down.

Offense can't close it out: In the first half, the Patriots were pretty good on offense. Converted 6 of 10 third downs, totaled 216 yards, Jones had a 95.1 rating. They had a chance for points (two missed field goals) on 4 of six drives.

The second half? Pretty poor after an opening field goal.

This was probably the biggest disappointment and much to be dissected.

Injuries mount: Cole Strange (knee), Davon Godchaux (ankle) and Daniel Ekuale (elbow) left the game and did not return. Matthew Judon took a hit on the knee and returned, but that's the kind of injury that may force him to miss practice time this week at least once the adrenaline wears off. Strange was replaced by Atonio Mafi, in what might have been part of a benching because the second year guard against struggled against the Jets. Appeared that Christian Barmore played a ton more and well.

SECOND GUESS

Patriots had the following fourth downs, and didn't go for any of them:

4th and 3 at Jets 29 (FG)
4th and 3 at Jets 45 (punt)
4th and 1 at Jets 45 (punt)

The last one, with 10:52 left would have been a huge second guess had the Patriots lost this game. They won, so it won't be talked about much. But Bill Belichick continues to be really conservative on fourth downs.

PLAY OF THE GAME

(11:49) M.Jones pass deep right to P.Brown for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Cardona, Holder-B.Baringer.

Patriots had 13 personnel on the field, brought Mike Gesicki in motion and that confused the Jets for some reason. Sauce Gardner should have had the deep third of that side of the field, but he followed Hunter Henry into the flat. Basically, the Jets just forgot about Pharoah Brown. 

THREE UP

Matthew Judon: Had two sacks, including a safety, and at least another quarterback hit.

JaWhaun Bentley: Was probably a big part of the Patriots allowing only 1.7 yards per rush and added 2 QB hits, a tackle for loss and a pass defenses.

Pharoah Brown: Not only did he have the TD, but he added another reception where he broke a tackle and made a first down, and he blocked well.

THREE DOWN

Juju Smith-Schuster: Had one catch for 5 yards on three targets as he continued to be on the wrong page with Mac Jones.

Mac Jones (second half): Was 6 for 11 for 59 yards and 2 of 9 on third down in the second half as the offense stalled on their final six possessions.

Joe Cardona: Had high snaps on both missed field goals.

TOP PLAYS

INJURIES

LG Cole Strange (knee): Did not return but tried it on the sidelines.

NT Davon Godchaux (ankle): Did not return.

DT Daniel Ekuale (elbow): Did not return.

DE Matthew Judon (knee): Returned to the game.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

The Jets have to make a move at QB: They can't do this again for the second straight season. Trade for someone, sign a vet off the street (Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz reportedly reached out) ... this team is too good to put out there. Wilson is awful and he's no different than last season. The Jets started to implode on the sideline in this game, and it's only going to get worse. ... And why not more designed QB runs?

Cole Strange needs to start playing better ASAP: You expect first-round guards to at least be in the Pro Bowl conversation very quickly, if not better. To this point, after another horrible game against the Jets, Strange is in danger of being put on the bench for Atonio Mafi. There was an injury involved - reportedly - but this felt like the third time Strange has been benched in his short career. It needs to be a lot better quicker for this offensive line to have a chance.