Let' look at the Pats problems before today:
1 rush defense-today they held Jets to 2.5 ypc -check
2 protecting the QB- no sacks of Brady and no negative runs by Pats RB- check
3 containing opposing QB run- McCown had a few today work in progress but the Jets were stopped for negative yards 10 times, great effort...
4- giving up 300 yards passing to journeyman QB- still needs to be addressed
5- Getting turnovers- 3 today- a start in the right direction.
6- cutting down penalties- none in first half and 2 on pick routes and 2 defensive holding calls by D linemen....better but not perfect....and no special teams penalties that I can recall.
7- Tightening up in the second half. Jets got 3 points on their last 9 possessions.
8- I look at the season as 4 quarters long before the playoffs. In the first quarter, Pats gave up 128 points over 4 games, 32 a game. So far in the second quarter they have given up 17 and 19 ( 18 ppg). Yes it is a small sample size and next week will be a test but if they can hold the Falcons to 24 points, I think the Pats can win ......
( Poor Dorsett- he gets targeted 3 times, one is an int and he gets interferred with on the other tow but doesn't get the flag. Hey buddy, you're not in Indy anymore. You don't get the calls when you're wearing a Pats uniform)........