Final: Patriots 10, Jets 3 - Final: Patriots 10, Jets 3 - Marcus Jones’ last-minute punt return touchdown lifts Pats to a win

On a night in which the Patriots’ offense hit a new low, Marcus Jones and the Patriots' defense came to the rescue. 

With overtime on the horizon and the Patriots and Jets still stuck in a 3-3 deadlock with under 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Marcus Jones helped keep New England’s playoff hopes alive — returning a punt 84 yards to the house to lift the Patriots to a dramatic 10-3 victory over New York on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. 

While the Patriots' offense will likely want to burn the tape following a game like this, New England’s defense made things miserable for the Jets all afternoon — with New York held to just 103 total net yards in the loss.

With the win, the Patriots improve to 6-4 on the season. 

Regular-season Game #10: Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1) at Patriots (4-4), 1 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium,
TV: WBZ-Ch. 4 (CBS). Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (color), Melanie Collins (sideline).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston. **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: Live Box | Jets media notes | Patriots media notes | Flipcard
BetOnline.ag Latest Line: Patriots -3.5, 38 o/u
AccuWeather forecast: Cold and windy.

LAST WEEK

Both teams are coming off a bye. Previously...

Jets 20, Bills 17: The defense shut down Josh Allen (2 INTs), Zach Wilson threw a touchdown pass and Greg Zuerlein kicked a go-ahead 28-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining to send the Jets (6-3) into their bye-week break with a victory. Jets used eight straight running plays on their game-winning drive. Allen was 18 of 34 for 205 yards and held without a TD pass for the first time since Week 17 of last season against Atlanta.

Patriots 26, Colts 3: Matthew Judon and Josh Uche each had three of the Patriots' nine sacks, Mac Jones had a touchdown pass, and Nick Folk added four field goals to help New England move above .500 for the first time this season. Jonathan Jones blocked a punt and had a pick-six. Mac Jones was 20 of 30 for 147 yards.

STATS

FOOTBALLOUTSIDERS.COM BREAKDOWN

ROSTER MOVES

• P Jake Bailey and DT Christian Barmore placed on IR.
• P Michael Palardy and C Kody Russey signed from the practice squad.
• Jets elevated DL Tanzel Smart and OL Conor McDermott from the practice squad.

INJURY REPORT

PREGAME READING/LISTENING

NFL Notebook: Will Zach Wilson grow up and deliver Jets a signature win vs. Patriots?
@athleticgreens Podcast & Video: Bedard Patriots Pod - How the Patriots can get right and finish strong
Completed Q&A: Bedard on Patriots' second half, Jets matchup 11.18.22
@athleticgreens Podcast & Video: Bedard Patriots Pod - Predicting the rest of the season
How can Patriots offense begin to build its game in 2nd half? A stout O-line performance against Jets would be a great start
Bedard's Midseason Mailbag: Answering the biggest questions from the first half
Bedard: Patriots are in the playoffs as of today ... will they stay there after the bye?
NFL Notebook: Handing out some Patriots, NFL awards and superlatives after midway point

HOW THE PATRIOTS WIN & BEDARD'S GAME PICK

The Patriots know what to do against Wilson and the Jets — although expected stopping excellent rookie WR Garrett Wilson to be much bigger priority in this one — so I don't have any worries about them doing their part on defense. This game will all come down to Belichick, Matt Patricia and Mac Jones.

1. Make it easier for Mac Jones.

Remember, this was the game where I actually had Jones graded out well compared to conventional wisdom. Why? Because the Patriots made this game way too hard on the QB — like Tom Brady in some of his old matchups with Rex Ryan's Jets. The Patriots' priority has to be 1) Protect Jones better. He faced 48.9 percent pressure in the first matchup, the highest ever for a game he has started and finished. To do that, a good coordinator would spin the dial with techniques — max protect on one play, chip on another, screen on another, quick pass on another. If the Patriots want to go down the field, they must keep blockers in. 2) Patriots threw Jones to the wolves because they knew they needed more receivers out against coverage. They need to split the baby better there this time. No QB, especially a 2nd-year guy, is going to get in shotgun and pick part this defense. Ain't happening. And that's no indicted on Jones, even though people want to do that.

2. Play a CFL game.

Patriots converted a lot of third downs in this game, but too many were in long yardage.  After they didn't convert on the opening possession, Jones and the Patriots converted 6 of the next 8:

• 3rd and 10 - Dime throw to Meyers
• 3rd and 11 - Nice design and call by Patricia
• 3rd and 5 - Jones good scramble
• 3rd and 8 - Stevenson on James White arrow route
• 3rd and 5 - Jones good scramble
• 3rd and 7 - Good Patricia call/Jonnu Smith YAC

That's not going to happen this time around. One way to combat that is to strive for a CFL offense — two downs to make a first down. Basically, you're trying to avoid getting to third down. To do that, the Patriots have to eliminate the negative or no-yard plays, or penalties. They have yet to show that ability. I would also like to see the Patriots use more no-huddle, which they used for their only TD drive (Bills scored that way as well). It doesn't let the Jets sub on the defensive line, and doesn't let them set up coverage disguises. Wouldn't mind seeing Jonnu Smith in the old Aaron Hernandez no-huddle role as a wrinkle. At least he'd be doing something.

3. Get Mac Jones under center with inside running and playaction.

Not sure if this is for this game in particular, but Jones is at his best when he's under center. The Patriots are at their best when they are spinning the dial on running between the tackles, and with David Andrews back that should be something they can do against this vaunted Jets line that is without NT Sheldon Rankins this time. Pound the ball there, and then run playaction. That's when they are a good offense.

HOW BEDARD SEES IT

I'm scared to death of this game for the Patriots. They have not been good coming out of the bye in recent years — they at least play a sleepy first half — and the Jets have had a whole week to beat Wilson over the head with playing mistake-free football. If Wilson doesn't turn the ball over, the Jets could very well win this game in a blowout. But I don't think either will happen. I think Wilson will have at least one really bad turnover (ran into a strip-sack in red zone in upset of Bills), and the bye week will allow the Patriots to, for at least one week, put together a good enough offensive plan to win. But I do NOT feel good about this game.

BetOnline.ag Line: Patriots -3.5. O/U: 38.

Bedard's Pick (8-1, 8-1 vs. spread): Patriots 20, Jets 17.