FOXBORO — Deadlocked at 3-3 for all the second half of a recreation outlined by offensive ineptitude, the Patriots despatched out rookie Marcus Jones to discipline what could be remaining punt of the sport.
Overtime felt inevitable.
Jones, a 5-foot-8 cornerback, had left school as one of many biggest returners in NCAA historical past. In the NFL, he was a quiet reserve greatest identified for small stature. But no extra.
Fielding the Jets’ punt at his 16-yard line, Jones stepped left, then raced proper, picked up a pair blocks and sped up the precise sideline earlier than reducing again throughout the sector for the sport’s solely landing with 0:05 on the clock.
Gillette Stadium shook. A mixture of reduction, pleasure and laughter washed over the 68,000-plus in attendance and all the Patriots sideline. The greatest recreation of their season — and by far the ugliest — was lastly within the bag.
Thanks to Jones, the Pats edged the Jets 10-3 for his or her 14th straight win in a once-fierce rivalry. Winners of 5 of their final six, the Patriots’ playoff hopes are actually as sturdy as ever. The Pats (6-4) return to motion Thursday evening at Minnesota of their first Thanksgiving recreation since 2010.
Fresh off a “self-audit” through the bye week, quarterback Mac Jones went 23-of-27 for 246 yards, no touchdowns and 0 interceptions. His counterpart, Jets gunslinger Zach Wilson, completed 9-of-22 for 77 yards and threw two passes that fell off of Patriot arms.
The Patriots allowed a season-low 103 yards, whereas outdoors linebacker Matt Judon collected two sacks to set a single-season profession excessive with 13. Safety Kyle Dugger, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise and linebacker Mack Wilson additionally recorded sacks, whereas Ja’Whaun Bentley posted a team-best 9 tackles.
Picking up the place they left off three weeks in the past, the AFC East rivals opened with 4 straight punts. The Patriots lastly broke by way of the scoreless slog with a 14-play discipline objective drive that crossed into the second quarter. But it got here at a price.
Center David Andrews was misplaced for the sport with a thigh harm. Left sort out Isaiah Wynn harm his foot and by no means returned. As the Patriots reshuffled their O-line on the sideline, the Jets marched to their very own discipline objective and a 3-3 rating with 9:38 left within the half.
Thanks to a 26-yard cross to Jonnu Smith, the Pats appeared primed to reply on their subsequent possession, however red-zone woes once more doomed them. A Yodny Cajuste holding penalty and sack allowed by Trent Brown backed the offense up from New York’s 7-yard line all the best way to the 26. From there, Nick Folk launched a missed 44-yard discipline objective that hit the crossbar after navigating swirling winds on the open finish of the stadium.
With 2:49 till halftime, Wilson spoiled the Jets’ probability at scoring earlier than time expired by throwing a would-be interception into Devin McCourty’s chest that McCourty dropped.
As each Jets third-quarter drive went three-and-out, the Patriots teased the house crowd with three journeys into enemy territory that yielded zero factors. Folk missed a 43-yarder on the primary possession, then one other sack backed them out of discipline objective vary and right into a punt on their subsequent collection. Minutes later, the Patriots chased a fourth-and-3 conversion on the Jets’ 36, the place offensive play-caller Matt Patricia dialed up a sweep to the left behind a blocking Damien Harris.
Rhamondre Stevenson obtained stuffed. No achieve. Jets ball.
Lucky for Patricia, New York’s streak of three-and-outs continued and, by some means, worsened. The Jets gained minus-8 yards over their preliminary 5 second-half possessions. And but, the Pats couldn’t reply, punting three straight occasions till the 2-minute warning, when the Jets kicked it away for the ultimate time and waved their possibilities at a win goodbye.
Here had been the very best and worst Patriot performances from Sunday:
Best
CB Marcus Jones A game-winning punt return landing? No one had a greater day than him.
Worst
Ok Nick Folk The as soon as automated kicker missed from 43 and 44 yards away.
Offensive line The Patriots allowed six sacks of Jones, who performed certainly one of his greatest video games of the season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com