PATRIOTS 27
Overtime
Leave it to the Jets to have a victory that will forever have an asterisk on it.
A third quarter comeback from a 21-10 halftime deficit that had New York up 27-21 was erased by a Patriots fourth quarter comeback that sent these arch rivals into an overtime that neither side will ever forget.
Instead of earning the victory cleanly, the Jets had to rely on a horrible call by the officials just to have a chance to win this game. After lackluster play calling by Marty Mornhinweg set the Jets up with a ridiculous 56-yard field goal attempt. Nick Folk, who hadn't missed a field goal this season, missed the kick badly.
Right after the play ended a flag was thrown onto the field for unsportsmanlike conduct on defensive tackle Chris Jones for pushing his teammate into the Jets offensive line. It was the first time in the history of the NFL that such a rule was called. It was a horrible call, because replay showed that Jones didn't push his teammate into anyone, he just joined the pile to try to block the kick.
The result: A 15-yard penalty, and the Jets won on a cheap shot field goal. Hideous.
The call once again emphasizes the NFL's desire to have as much offense as possible, even if it means creating rules that make no sense. Rest assure that the officials will never make that call ever again. In fact, it shouldn't have been called Sunday.
The controversy ruins what was an excellent back-n-forth affair between the Jets and Patriots.
Geno Smith took some positive strides in his development. He was sharp and made some big time throws when he needed to the most. At one point he converted six consecutive third down attempts to help push the Jet to an early hot start.
New York jumped out to a 7-0 lead thanks in large part to Smith who completed four of seven passes on the drive including the touchdown pass to Jeremy Kerley to give New York the lead.
After New England tied the game at seven, The Jets went into a collective funk. Smith had the Jets moving deep into the Patriots territory, connecting on passes of 25 and 16. But, on first down at the Pats 20, Smith tried to thread the needle to David Nelson, but the pass was picked off by Logan Ryan who took it 80 yards for a New England touchdown to make it 14-7.
The Jets never really recovered as the Patriots took a 21-10 lead into the half, and with New England getting the ball back to start the second half, it looked like the route would be in coming.
However, the Jets defense stepped up. They stripped sacked Ton Brady on the first play of the third quarter. Next, safety Antonio Allen stepped in front of a Brady pass, picked it off and brought it back for a touchdown to make it 21-17.
The Jets were on fire. They could feel the tables turning. They forced New England into two consecutive three an outs, including sacking Brady a couple of times. Now was the time for Geno Smith to make a big statement.
Smith's 27 yard completion to David Nelson set up shop at the Patriots 20. Three plays later, Smith took it in himself on a nine yard scamper giving the Jets a 24-21 lead.
The Jets could have easily put their foot on the throat of the Patriots after taking the lead, but never did. The play calling by Mornhinweg got ultra conservative, with nothing really creative.
The Jets drove deep enough into Patriots territory to settle for a field goal to make it 27-21, but if they had been a little more aggressive, the Jets could have scored a touchdown to put the game out of reach. Why? The Patriots were on their heels, and were doing nothing to stop the Jets in the third quarter.
By allowing the Patriots to hang around, sure enough Brady got the football back with a chance to win it. With less than a minute left Brady brought the Patriots all the way down to the Jets 26 yard line. New England looked poised for the second consecutive last second victory, if it weren't for Rob Gronkowski.
Gronkowski, making his return to the starting lineup in Week 7, would have had a walk-in game winning touchdown catch, as Brady's pass hit him right in the hands, but the tight end couldn't haul the pass in. The Patriots had to settle for three, setting the stage for the bizarre overtime.
With the ... (win)** ... the Jets are now 4-3 and will head to Cincinnati next Sunday for a clash with the Bengals (5-2). While, it wasn't earned the Jets are 4-3 nonetheless, and certainly have saved Rex Ryan's job at least for another week. The victory is also the third comeback victory for Geno Smith in his young career.
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