The Patriots lost in overtime to the Jets 26-20 on Sunday and we’ve been going back over the game tape at some of the big plays of the day.
After re-watching the game a few times since Sunday afternoon, it was a testament to the grit and determination of the Pats that they even took the game to OT. They were outplayed for the majority of the game. There are no moral victories but it was surprising how this one played out especially after being down 17-3 on the road.
So let’s take a look at some of the biggest plays of the day. Some good and some not so good. First with the not-so-good.
Enunwa 48-yard reception: Here’s probably the biggest play of the game; on the second play from scrimmage after overtime began, the Jets had a 2nd and 8 from their own 22-yard line. Enunwa was lined up inside on the left. Tavon Wilson came in for Jordan Richards who was injured making the tackle on the previous play.
The Jets ran a pick play and executed it to perfection; the outside receiver cut inside and rubbed CB Leonard Johnson. Wilson coming up from the safety position, collided with Johnson and both were well out of position.
The three yard pass to Enunwa quickly turned into a game-breaker as he turned on the speed and raced deep into Patriots territory before being forced out of bounds. That put the Jets into immediate field goal territory but it also put the Patriots defense on their heels. And a couple of plays later, the Jets were victorious but this was the big blow from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Bilal Powell 11-yard run: The Jets running game was having great success on Sunday at running right at the Patriots front seven, something they weren’t able to do the first time the teams met in Gillette Stadium.
It was something that the Jets were very successful at; their offensive line had a very impressive day. They were teeing off and winning at the point of attack and their pass protection was outstanding for much of the day.
In the first quarter Bilal Powell, who was impressive all day had a nice run of 11-yards right up the middle of the Patriots defense. The Jets offensive line makes a nice hole for him to run in and he accelerates to the second level where he trucks over Duron Harmon and gains a few more yards. It was typical of the Jets running game, especially in the first half.
Gronk 30-Yard Reception: In the first half the Patriots were facing a 2nd and 11 from their own 24-yard line. Tom Brady was in the shotgun with James White in the backfield to his left. Gronkowski is split wide right and covered by Antonio Cromartie.
At the snap, Gronkowski beats the jam at the line of scrimmage and has a step on Cromartie running down the sideline outside the numbers. Brady has great protection and lays a perfectly thrown ball in Gronkowski’s hands. He fights off the attempt by Cromartie to break it up and hauls it in for a 30-yard gain before Marcus Gilchrist is able to come over and support Cromartie.
It was one of several nice plays Gronkowski and Brady hooked up on during the day. Their 26-yard catch and run on a 4th and 9 play on the Patriots touchdown drive was also outstanding. They also had a miscommunication in the third quarter where Brady thought Gronk was going to cut his route short and Gronk kept running a deep pattern. It resulted in an easy interception for Darrelle Revis.
Strip Sack TD by Sheard/Collins: A big play that got the Patriots back in the game was a strip sack by Jabaal Sheard and the ensuing fumble was recovered by Jamie Collins and return for a touchdown.
It was one of the few times that the Patriots got really good pressure on Fitzpatrick all game long and resulted in the only sack of the day for the Patriots. Both Sheard and Chandler Jones got great pressure from the edges and Sheard was just able to hit Fitzpatrick’s hand as he was attempting to let go of the ball.
The fumble bounced to the right side of the formation where both the Jets and Patriots dove to recover it before Collins scooped it up and ran it in for the score. It marked the second week in a row that the defense has scored and couldn’t have come at a better time.
James White 9-Yard Touchdown Catch: With the Patriots down 20-13 with two minutes remaining in the game, the Patriots had a first and goal at the nine-yard line after converting a 4th and 9 with a 26-yard pass from Brady to Gronkowski.
On this play, White lines up in the backfield to Brady’s left while in the shotgun. At the snap, White runs out on a diagonal like he’s going in the left flat. Linebacker David Harris moves over to quickly cover White but at the line of scrimmage.
White cuts sharply inside where the middle of the field is wide open. The Jets left no one home to cover the middle of the field and White is all alone for an easy pitch and catch from Brady. This was the play that tied the score and ultimately sent the game to OT.
The Patriots showed some grit coming back from a 17-3 deficit in the Meadowlands and sending the game into overtime, but the Jets produced in the extra session to easily go down the field and score. In reality this one should have never gone to OT so, the Patriots can look to it as a busted opportunity to steal a game they didn’t deserve to win.
We’re on to Miami…
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
