Patriots edge Jets 10-3 with punt return TD in final seconds
FOXBORO — Deadlocked at 3-3 for the entire second half of a game defined by offensive ineptitude, the Patriots sent out rookie Marcus Jones to field what would be final punt of the game.
Overtime felt inevitable.
Jones, a 5-foot-8 cornerback, had left college as one of the greatest returners in NCAA history. In the NFL, he was a quiet reserve best known for small stature. But no more.
Fielding the Jets’ punt at his 16-yard line, Jones stepped left, then raced right, picked up a couple blocks and sped up the right sideline before cutting back across the field for the game’s only touchdown with 0:05 on the clock.
Gillette Stadium shook. A mix of relief, joy and laughter washed over the 68,000-plus in attendance and the entire Patriots sideline. The biggest game of their season — and by far the ugliest — was finally in the bag.
Thanks to Jones, the Pats edged the Jets 10-3 for their 14th straight win in a once fierce rivalry. Winners of five of their last six, the Patriots’ playoff hopes are now as strong as ever. The Pats (6-4) return to action Thursday night at Minnesota in their first Thanksgiving game since 2010.
Fresh off a “self-audit” during the bye week, quarterback Mac Jones went 23-of-27 for 246 yards, no touchdowns and zero interceptions. His counterpart, Jets gunslinger Zach Wilson, finished 9-of-22 for 77 yards and threw two passes that fell off of Patriot hands.
The Patriots allowed a season-low 103 yards, while outside linebacker Matt Judon collected two sacks to set a single-season career high with 13. Safety Kyle Dugger, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise and linebacker Mack Wilson also recorded sacks, while Ja’Whaun Bentley posted a team-best nine tackles.
Picking up where they left off three weeks ago, the AFC East rivals opened with four straight punts. The Patriots finally broke through the scoreless slog with a 14-play field goal drive that crossed into the second quarter. But it came at a cost.
Center David Andrews was lost for the game with a thigh injury. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn hurt his foot and never returned. As the Patriots reshuffled their O-line on the sideline, the Jets marched to their own field goal and a 3-3 score with 9:38 left in the half.
Thanks to a 26-yard pass to Jonnu Smith, the Pats appeared primed to respond on their next possession, but red-zone woes again 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 way to the 26. From there, Nick Folk launched a missed 44-yard field goal that hit the crossbar after navigating swirling winds at the open end of the stadium.
With 2:49 until halftime, Wilson spoiled the Jets’ chance at scoring before time expired by throwing a would-be interception into Devin McCourty’s chest that McCourty dropped. The 3-3 tie held through halftime.
As every Jets third-quarter drive went three-and-out, the Patriots teased the home crowd with three trips into enemy territory that yielded zero points. Folk missed a 43-yarder on the first possession, then another sack backed them out of field goal range and into a punt on their next series. Minutes later, the Patriots chased a fourth-and-3 conversion at the Jets’ 36, where offensive play-caller Matt Patricia dialed up a sweep to the left behind a blocking Damien Harris.
Stevenson got stuffed. No gain. Jets ball.
Lucky for Patricia, New York’s streak of three-and-outs continued and, somehow, worsened. The Jets gained minus-8 yards over their initial five second-half possessions. And yet, the Pats couldn’t answer, punting three straight times until the 2-minute warning, when the Jets kicked it away for the final time and waved their chances at a win good-bye.
Here were the best and worst Patriot performances from Sunday:
Best
CB Marcus Jones A game-winning punt return touchdown? No one had a better day than him.
Worst
K Nick Folk The once automatic kicker missed from 43 and 44 yards away.
Offensive line The Patriots allowed six sacks of Jones, who played one of his best games of the season.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/zMRJpZi
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