Patriots vs. Jets score, takeaways: New England sinks New York with punt return TD in final seconds

New England beats New York for the 14th straight time as it ended a snoozefest with a bang

The New England Patriots moved to 6-4 on Sunday with a 10-3 win over the rival New York Jets. Mac Jones and Co. again swept the season series against the Jets as the Patriots have now won 14 straight against their AFC East rivals. Rookie Marcus Jones was the hero for New England, as he returned a punt 84 yards for the game-winning touchdown with just five seconds remaining. 

Jones' score was the first go-ahead punt return touchdown in regulation since DeSean Jackson scored one for the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants in Week 15 back in 2010. It was also the first punt return touchdown of the 2022 season. 

As the final score indicates, this was not exactly an offensive shootout that featured several big plays. Zach Wilson completed just 9-of-22 passes for 77 yards, while Jones completed 23-of-27 passes for 246 yards. Both defenses played incredibly well all afternoon, and combined for 10 total sacks.

With this win, the Jets fall from second place in the division to last, while the Patriots move up to third. All four teams in the AFC East now have at least six wins, and the race to the regular-season finish line is going to be incredible to watch.

Let's take a deeper look at what went down in Foxborough on Sunday.

Why the Patriots won

It felt like the Patriots were the better team all afternoon, but it took them quite some time to prove it. Jones looked much better than his counterpart this afternoon, but New England went 0-2 in the red zone and Nick Folk missed two field goal attempts in windy weather. The game probably shouldn't have been as close as it was, but Jones' incredible last-second touchdown sealed the deal.

Jones' game-winner was obviously a big reason why New England was victorious on Sunday, but credit needs to be given to the defense as well. They sacked Wilson four times, kept pressure on him all afternoon and allowed just 103 yards of total offense! Defense mattered in this matchup. The Patriots have now won 14 straight games against the Jets. That's the longest active winning streak by one team over another.

Why the Jets lost

Jets fans have definitely had to suffer through some anemic offensive performances, but this was one of the worst. Windy conditions didn't exactly aid in the passing game, but Wilson completed 9 of 22 passes for 77 yards. 34 of those 77 yards came on an underthrown pass to Denzel Mims -- who was able to come back and catch the ball since the defensive back was playing the deep pass and running in front of him. New York's run game wasn't any better, as the running backs combined for just 33 rushing yards. The offense overall was terrible. 

The Jets recorded 103 yards of total offense. Believe it or not, 101 of those yards came in the first two quarters. That's correct, New York recorded 2 yards of total offense in the second half. The Jets averaged 0.8 yards per play in the third and fourth quarters! Additionally, the Jets had negative 21 pass yards in the second half. That's the fourth-fewest by any team in a second half since 2000. When head coach Robert Saleh was asked after the game about recording 2 yards on seven possessions in the second half, he replied saying, "It was dog shit." 

I'm convinced that if the Jets put Mike White in on Sunday, they would have had more offensive success. Wilson has some serious improvements to make. First-round pick Garrett Wilson had just two catches for 12 yards in this matchup, and was caught by CBS cameras yelling in Wilson's direction after the quarterback missed another third-down throw. 

This loss was especially tough, because the defense played out of their minds -- all for naught. They sacked Jones six times, held New England to 4 of 15 on third downs and came up with several huge stops. They must be sick. 

Turning point/Play of the game

Marcus Jones called game. With 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Jets punted the ball away and did not attempt to send it out of bounds. In hindsight, that was a mistake.

What a time for the first punt return touchdown of the 2022 NFL season. 

Quotable

"I'm on to the next week. I'm one of those people." -- Marcus Jones in his postgame press conference

What's next

The Jets return home next week, and will host Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears. As for the Patriots, they are on a short week, as they will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on "Thursday Night Football" this Thanksgiving.  

[Nov 20, 2022 at 4:06 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

PATRIOTS WALK-OFF TOUCHDOWN. Marcus Jones goes 84 yards to the house! There are no flags on the field! 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 4:03 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Oh no. What a consequential penalty. Jonathan Jones gets flagged for defensive holding on a third and long in which Zach Wilson was sacked. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Jets defense has been so good today. What a stuff on third and 1. Honestly, I think the Patriots need to keep the ball in the air. That's where they've had some success. But with just two minutes remaining you have to wonder if they will get a chance. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:54 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Jets pick up their first first down of the second half, but that's as far as they got. Wise gets a sack, and the Jets will punt on fourth-and-20. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:30 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jets go three and out again. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:22 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

I have no problem with the Patriots going for it on fourth and three, but the play call was dumb. Jets take over at their own 36-yard line. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:18 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jets go three-and-out for the third time this half. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:13 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jets defense playing very tough. Hasn't been perfect, but the five sacks have been sooo big. Still 3-3 with 4:10 remaining. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:07 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Garrett Wilson screaming at Zach Wilson as he misses another throw on third down. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 3:05 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Patriots once again get 0 points from a good drive. Seven plays, 47 yards and a missed FG from the 25-yard line. Nick Folk was the hero a few weeks ago against the Jets. Not today. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:54 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Zach Wilson looked very bad on the Jets' first drive of the second half. Overthrew an open screen on first down and then was sacked on third down. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:40 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

HALFTIME: Jets 3 Patriots 3

1st downs: NYJ 4 NE 7
Total yards: NYJ 101 NE 151
Red zone: NYJ 0-1 NE 0-2
TOP: NYJ 11:37 NE 18:23

Zach Wilson: 5/11 65 yds

Mac Jones: 12/15 120 yds

Zach Wilson is New York's leading rusher (3 for 26)

Damien Harris: 5 for 32
Rhamondre Stevenson 7 for 16

Denzel Mims 1 for 34

Jonnu Smith 3 for 37
Rhamondre Stevenson 4 for 34
Jakobi Meyers 2 for 24

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:22 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Patriots offense had something going, but a huge nine-yard sack derailed the drive. Not only that, but Nick Folk missed the 44-yard field goal! It his the crossbar! We remain 3-3. Huge win for the Jets. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:13 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Pretty big third-down pickup for Jakobi Meyers. 13 yard gain across the middle. Then Jonnu Smith follows it up with a 26-yard gain. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:06 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Zuerlein hits from 45 yards. Tied at 3. 

9 plays, 46 yards for the Jets on that drive. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:06 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Patriots defense stands up just outside of the red zone. New York to attempt a chip-shot field goal. 

But wait ... they get a delay of game! That costs them five yards. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 2:04 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Wilson hits Mims for a gain of 34 yards. Ball was very much overthrown and Mims just had to hold up for it. Worked out! 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Patriots kick the 24-yard field goal. Can't even argue with the decision. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:52 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Patriots facing a decision here at the quarter break. Go for it on fourth and short from the five-yard line? Or kick the FG? 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:49 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jonnu Smith just fumbled the ball while running in space. Lucky to get it back. Guarantee Bill Belichick won't be trying that again. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:48 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Patriots center David Andrews is injured. Looks like a lower-body issue. He's an important part of that offensive line and has had a rough go over the last month or so. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:46 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Mac Jones finding a bit of a rhythm here? 4-5 for 35 yards. 

[Nov 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Damien Harris busts a move for a gain of 22 yards. Right up the middle. It was Rhamondre Stevenson who starred against the Jets a couple weeks ago. Maybe it will be Harris today.