The New England Patriots got back on track in Week 8, as they rode a 16-7 second-half run to earn a 22-17 victory over the rival New York Jets. It marks New England's 13th straight victory vs. New York, and moves the Patriots back up to .500 at 4-4, while the Jets fell to 5-3. With this victory, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick now has 325 wins as a head coach, which ranks second-most in NFL history (including postseason).
Mac Jones needed a big outing to quiet some of the Bailey Zappe noise, but he didn't exactly get that. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He should have thrown multiple interceptions, but one pick-six was negated due to a roughing the passer penalty. Rhamondre Stevenson was the star of the show on offense, as he recorded 143 yards from scrimmage. Nick Folk was probably the MVP of this win, however, as he converted on all five of his field goal attempts and his one extra point.
Without star rookie running back Breece Hall, Zach Wilson struggled. He completed 20 of 41 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns and three bad interceptions. New York rushed for just 51 yards, and Wilson was unable to make up some of that offensive production through the air.
Let's take a look at what went down in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.
After a disappointing first half, the Patriots came out of the halftime break and punched the Jets in the mouth. Jones and Co. went 62 yards on six plays, and Jakobi Meyers punched in a 5-yard score on fourth-and-1 from New York's 5-yard line. Stevenson recorded a 35-yard rush on first down, rookie Tyquan Thornton caught a 13-yard pass on the next play and Meyers added another 9 yards on the third play of the drive. That statement possession signaled to everyone how the second half was going to go, and the Patriots were able to pull off the come-from-behind victory thanks to said second-half run.
Jones didn't have the kind of performance that solidified his status as QB1, but football is a team game. Stevenson had a gritty performance, the defense stepped up with three forced turnovers and then Folk saved the offense with 16 total points.
The Jets did go out and trade for James Robinson after Hall went down with his season-ending injury, but it was understood the run game was not going to be as effective without the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Additionally, many believed New York was going to have to throw more to keep up.
Wilson did throw for a career-high 355 yards and two touchdowns, but completed fewer than 50% of his passes and threw three ugly interceptions. You're not going to win too many games by turning the ball over three times.
The passing game was inconsistent to say the least. Wilson had a couple nice tosses, Garrett Wilson caught six passes for 115 yards and Tyler Conklin caught six passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. But Wilson also struggled against pressure and made several questionable decisions. When Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore was asked after the game about his chemistry with Wilson, he responded saying, "I don't get the ball. I don't know," per SNY.
The Jets' recipe for success is running the ball effectively and playing sound defense. Wins aren't coming from the arm of Wilson just yet.
It felt like the Patriots winning this game was a foregone conclusion in the fourth quarter, but Wilson gave us a last gasp with a 9-yard Conklin touchdown pass -- their second end-zone hookup of the game. With 1:51 left in the fourth, it then came down to the onside kick.
The Jets are the only team this season to recover an onside kick -- as it led to a victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. This time, however, they were unable to recover the loose ball.
With the trade deadline just a couple days away, all 32 NFL teams will be looking for ways to upgrade their rosters. One team could be interested in 25-year-old Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims.
Mims caught two passes for 76 yards on Sunday, including this impressive 63-yard catch-and-run. Maybe this caught the eye of a general manager.
If you're throwing the ball away, make sure you throw the ball away.
Down nine points late in the third quarter, the Jets needed to get something going. The elusive Wilson rolled out to the right and looked downfield trying to find an open receiver. With the pressure closing in, he decided to throw the ball away -- but failed in doing so. Instead, Wilson threw it to veteran defensive back Devin McCourty.
This was a bad mistake.
The Jets host the rival Buffalo Bills next week, the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl LVII. As for the Patriots, they return to Foxborough to host the Indianapolis Colts.
Felt like it was too little too late, but Zach Wilson leads a six-play, 88-yard drive which resulted in Tyler Conklin's second touchdown of the game. 22-17. Jets will have to go for the onside.
Zach Wilson with his THIRD INT of the game.
This was terrible
Patriots offense hasn't been great at finishing drives. 1-3 in the red zone. Nick Folk now has four field goals -- this one coming from 45. Bottom line is that they are letting New York hang around.
Jets go three-and-out and lose six yards. Patriots defense certainly has settled in. I want to see if Bill Belichick is going to be aggressive on this next possession.
Wow Marcus Jones records 32 yards on that punt return! Patriots have all the momentum right now.
10 plays but just 34 yards gained for the Patriots on their next drive. Nick Folk converts a 49-yard field goal to extend the lead to six points. Interested to see what the Jets do here on offense. I would be getting back to the ground game.
Jets had something going on their first drive of the second half, but they stall out. Wilson missed two throws, and then Zuerlein missed a 45-yard field goal. Not an ideal start for New York here.
Patriots came out and punched the Jets in the mouth. Talk about being aggressive. New England goes for it on fourth and 1 and Mac Jones hits Jakobi Meyers for a five-yard score. 14-10 Patriots. 6 plays, 62-yard drive.
By the way, Stevenson now has 115 yards from scrimmage.
The Patriots came out of the halftime break SWINGING. 57 yards on the first three plays.
HALFTIME STATS ----- Patriots 6 Jets 10
Mac Jones: 13/20 122 yds 1 INT
Zach Wilson: 10/18, 152 yds 1 TD 1 INT
Rhamondre Stevenson has 80 yards from scrimmage, and is the Pats' leading receiving with 59 yards on five catches.
Garrett Wilson has 89 yards on four catches -- thanks to that 54-yard reception in the first quarter.
First downs: NE 12 NYJ 8
Total yards: NE 167 NYJ 180
Third Downs: NE 6/11 NYJ 3/7
Penalties NE 5-49 NYJ 2-28
TOP: NE 18:48 NYJ 11:12
Doesn't look like the Patriots had any interest in tying the game before halftime?
Yikes Cole Strange with two penalties in the first half. First-round pick out of Chatt.
Oh man! Patriots get BAILED out on a roughing the passer call. A pick six is taken off the board. Rightfully so, that was a late hit.
Zach Wilson misses Johnson and Bentley picks it off. Yikes. Not what you want in the two-minute drill.
I think the Patriots should taken the points on that fourth down. Now they give the ball back to New York down seven with 1:55 remaining.
That drive looked like it had promise. 70 yards on 13 plays.
Mac Jones is using his legs today! 26 yards rushing now. Leading rusher in the game. He's taking hits, though.
Jets go 75 yards on six plays and Zach Wilson hits Tyler Conklin for an eight-yard touchdown. This Jets offense is absolutely destroying the Patriots defense. Not something I expected with Breece Hall out. Wilson looks very comfortable though.
This Patriots defense is getting gashed. And giving up free yards on penalties.
Patriots defense did not look settled/uncomfortable on that first drive. They did keep New York out of the end zone, but got beat deep once and then got take advantage of in the scramble drill on a third down.
A run on third and goal from the 18-yard line is soft. I don't agree with that play call. Still, Patriots tie the game at 3 apiece with a 31-yard field goal. It caps a 15-play, 62-yard drive that lasted 8:14. This marks the end of the first quarter.
The Patriots have converted three third downs on this drive. Now in the red zone after a five-yard Mac Jones run.
Wow Jakobi Meyers has converted two long third downs in a row. Great vision in the open field. He's carrying the offense right now.
Pretty big hit to this offense
Matt Judon destroys the Jets left tackle and New York will have to kick a field goal. 10 plays, 82 yards and the first points of the game.
One of Zach Wilson's best throws
James Robinson's first carry as a Jet goes for 0 yards. Interested to see how much work he gets today.
