There's just something about the New York Jets that causes Chris Jones to stand out.
Last season it was in a way that he'd probably rather forget, having been responsible for a key penalty in overtime during their week seven 30-27 loss down in New York. It was a play that ended up being the topic of discussion for a while when it came to a rule change that involved being able to assist teammates by giving them a little extra push blocking field goals.
Jones was flagged for unnecessary roughness after referees ruled he had illegally pushed one of his teammates to help block a 56-yard attempt by Folk that sailed wide left, which should have given the Patriots good starting field position out near midfield. Instead it allowed the Jets drive to continue, and they moved up and allowed Folk to hit a 42-yard try that ultimately won the game.
 Chris Jones saved the day with a huge field goal block at the end of regulation Thursday night. (USA TODAY Images) |
However, Thursday night he was the one who took matters into his own hands. With just over a minute to go the Jets had driven down to the New England 40-yard line, making play after play and putting themselves in position to attempt a 58-yard field goal that trailing 27-25 would have given them a much needed road win.
Considering the way things had gone to that point after the Jets were having success moving the football, along with how accurate kicker Nick Folk had been all night, the kick seemed to be a foregone conclusion and the thought of losing such a hard fought game was nauseating to say the least. There had been some great moments by the Patriots on the offensive side of the football, but their defense didn't seem to have any answers for a Jets' ground game that tore them up all night and left them with plenty of problems they'll need to solve when they get back on the field a week from Sunday when they take the field again at home against Chicago.
Needless to say everyone at Gillette Stadium held their breath during New York's attempt, but fortunately Jones was able to get some height and got his hand up just high enough to deflect it shortly after Folk made contact.
The ball fell harmlessly to the ground, and just like that the game was over.
"Well, it was, I think probably about the game we expected with the Jets," said Belichick. "It's always tough, a really grind it out game. Obviously really happy for Chris [Jones] at the end after what happened last year. I thought it was so fitting that he made that play. So that was awesome.
"It wasn't our best. It was good enough, but it wasn't our best. We've got to do a better job in all three phases of the game all the way around. But I've got to give our team a lot of credit."
That kick was Folk's fifth field goal attempt on the evening, with the Jets kicker having hit earlier field goals from 22, 47, 46 and 27 respectively. He was right on the money with each one, so there was no reason to believe this time would be any different.
However, Jones managed to make what could end up being one of the biggest plays of the season, especially knowing how last year went and the fact that one win could have changed their playoff possibilities. In 2013 one more victory would have seen them battle the Broncos at home instead of on the road and it's games like these that could end up being so important.
For now he'll get to enjoy the fact that he was able to help his team win just one year removed from what transpired at the MetLife Stadium last year.
"A few people have told me about it, so I've had a chance to think about it," Jones told the Boston Herald. "It feels good. That was last year. It just feels good to get the win this year.
"I think it really became a reality when (special teams assistant) Joe Judge came up to me and told me. I felt it then."
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