ICYMI Patriots vs Jets: Best of Patriots Social Media Week 16
Kevin Jairaj - USA TODAY Sports
Week 16 began on a festive note for the New England Patriots as quarterback Tom Brady got into the Christmas Spirit by posting this funny Facebook photograph with Santa Clause.
Gronk also got in on the action with this Christmas day Facebook post.
Devin McCourty posted this photo to his Instagram account of himself dressed up in a new suit his mother got him as a Christmas gift.
But it was all business for Brady and the Patriots following the holiday as he geared up for the divisional rivalry by going with a menacing  “Top Gun” theme Facebook photo.
Another week, another injury. This time tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) was the latest victim following this pile up on the Patriots first drive of the game. He did not return with a leg injury.
Joey Iosefa and several #Jets defenders came down on Vollmer's left ankle (76) on #Patriots first drive. Ouch pic.twitter.com/OSsImrGuaW
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 28, 2015
The game started off slow for the Patriots as they only mustered three points in the first half and then former teammate Darrell Revis hauled in this interception of Tom Brady to start the third quarter.
Darrelle Revis with the interception on Tom Brady! #NEvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/aQuzPfPxqD
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) December 27, 2015
Down 17-6 late in the third quarter, linebacker Jamie Collins stepped up big. He scored the first touchdown of his career following a Jabaal Sheard stripped fumble of Ryan Fitzpatrick that was returned by Collins to the end zone.
A look at the Jabaal Sheard strip-sack, Jamie Collins fumble recovery return for a TD. pic.twitter.com/ee33crwB2f
— Rachel G. Bowers (@RachelGBowers) December 27, 2015
Rob Gronkowski hauled in this clutch fourth down pass to keep the Patriots alive.
@RobGronkowski with a clutch 4th down catch to keep the @Patriots alive late in the 4th. #NEvsNYJ #makemsayuhhh pic.twitter.com/enExIqiDvB
— On to Miami 12-3 (@KeekoMetty) December 27, 2015
Running back James White was later found wide open for the easy game tying score to force overtime.
Tom Brady hits James White for the 9 yard #Patriots #touchdown! #NEvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/CDijpmhmY4
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) December 27, 2015
Then came the most controversial coin flip of recent memory when the Patriots chose to kick the ball away despite calling heads and winning the toss. Cue the Steve Harvey jokes.
SLATER: "We won the coin toss, dont we get to choose? We'll take the ball" REFS: "The Patriots have elected to kick" pic.twitter.com/rybjZovBZL
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) December 27, 2015
So I think Slater is confused not on saying we elected to kick but on what side they want to kick off to? pic.twitter.com/YA56rie93d
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) December 27, 2015
Slater explained the confusion to reporters following the game.
Matthew Slater: "We wanted to kick off. We won the toss. We kicked off, which is what we wanted to do." https://t.co/Irrl8snFbQ
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2015
So the Jets were given the ball for overtime and Ryan Fitzpatrick capitalzied by driving his team down the field leading to his Eric Decker walkoff touchdown pass that sent the MetLife Stadium crowd into a happy frenzy. The Patriots were handed their third loss in five games by a final score of 26-20.
Ryan Fitzpatrick. Eric Decker. FOR THE WIN! #NEvsNYJ https://t.co/Ed4j2SL8Ou
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2015
After the stunning overtime defeat the New York Jets players celebrated hard on their way to the locker room after the game.
The Jets are yelling around the locker room making fun of the Patriots for kicking to start OT.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) December 27, 2015
Jets owner Woody Johnson with the very awkward celebratory “dab.”
.@woodyjohnson4 with the DAB! pic.twitter.com/nxYupSV0kp
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 6, 2015
The fans treated the win like a championship.
NY Jets fans celebrating OT victory over Patriots at Metlife Stadium 12-… https://t.co/Z7fddDSXMp via @YouTube #NYJETS #NFL
— ClassicRockHistory (@ClassicPopSongs) December 29, 2015
It was a crushing, ugly loss for the New England Patriots, but they will have one more crack at obtaining the number one seed in the AFC Playoffs with a win at the Miami Dolphins in the 2015 season finale next weekend.
Posted Under: Patriots Commentary
Tags: Devin McCourty Eric Decker Jabaal Sheard Jamie Collins Matthew Slater Rob Gronkowski Sebastian Vollmer Tom Brady
