Close, but no cigar.
The weather conditions put a damper on the high-flying Patriot offense and Gang Green's defense was up to the task, but two costly turnovers and questionable play-calling helped
New England down the Jets 20-10 in Foxborough.
I can't say that the Jets should have won this game, but they failed to take advantage of their opportunities on Sunday while New England did enough to get the victory. I guess that's why the Gotham Green were 3-10 heading into this one and the Pats were undefeated. It was frustration at the highest level if you were a Jets fan watching this one so let's get this roundup over with.
REASONS TO GET UP ON MONDAY:The defense. The D was presented with the unenviable task of trying to shut down an offense that averages 38.7 points a game and (with an assist from Mother Nature) did a solid job. Their "bend but don't break" defense held the score-happy Pats to their lowest offensive output of the season. The secondary in particular did a bang-up job and didn't allow Brady to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The Patriots scored only one offensive touchdown on the afternoon and that came after a blocked punt positioned New England at the New York 3-yard line. Darrelle Revis continues to show that he's the real deal as he blanketed receivers all day and picked up his third pick this season.
Double tap. Nothing changes the flow of a football game like a big play on special teams and linebacker/defensive end David Bowens did just that midway through the second quarter. His blocked punt and subsequent 26-yard touchdown return got the Jets on the board and took some of the wind out of New England's sails. It was the fourth touchdown scored by the Jets special teams this season.
Leon Washington. Washington had only 4 carries on the day, but he still finished as the Jets leading rusher with 57 yards. His 49-yard scamper early in the first quarter positioned the Jets deep in New England territory and his 49-yard kickoff return late in the fourth quarter set the Jets up for a chance at the end. Unfortunately, the Jets failed to turn Washington's two long plays into points. Gang Green may lack play-makers on offense, but Number 29 certainly makes the most of his opportunities.
Return of the Pennington. Kellen Clemens was knocked out of the game on the Jets second offensive play so the Jets were forced to go to Pennington (eventually). Pennington entered the game with the Jets facing a 3rd-and-18 from the New England 33. No. 10 dropped back and calmly completed his first pass in six weeks to wideout Jerricho Cotchery for 16 yards. All things considered, Pennington put together a pretty nice game. He finished 25 out of 38 for 186 yards.
REASONS TO SLEEP IN ON MONDAY:Two killer plays. Play 1: With 1:54 left in the second quarter and the Patriots clinging to a 10-7 lead, Ben Graham lined up for a punt near the shadow of his own goal line. New England's Kelley Washington faked out safety Abram Elam on the edge and blocked the kick and set the Pats up at the Jets 3-yard line. Two plays later and the Patriots extended their lead to 10 points heading into the half. Play 2: A Revis interception early in the third quarter put the Jets in business at the New England 34-yard line. Pennington went back to pass on a 3rd-and-12 from the Patriots 25-yard line. He completed a pass to tight end Chris Baker for 10 yards which was short of a first, but positioned the Jets for a makable field goal attempt. It didn't happen. Baker fumbled and the ball was recovered by New England. Yes, a football game is sixty minutes, but sometimes a game can come down to a few plays.
Why is Smith under center? Usually when your first-string quarterback heads out of the game you replace him with the second-stringer. Oh, but that's too simple if you're Eric Mangini. The coach instead opted for wide receiver/running back/kick returner/quarterback Brad Smith to be the signal caller. On Smith's first play, he flipped the ball to Leon Washington for a gain of 49 yards. OK, fine. The gimmick play worked. Now you put in Pennington. Right? Negative. Pennington didn't enter the game until it was third and long. The Jets didn't convert on the play, but Pennington's pass turned a 3rd-and-18 into a 4th-and-2 at the New England 17-yard line. Exit Pennington as the Jets go for it with Smith at quarterback -- a guy who has zero completions in his brief NFL career. Smith's pass attempt fell incomplete. Senseless.
Take the points. Speaking of senseless, I have no idea why Mangini opted to go for it on 4th-and-2 from the New England 17-yard line. The weather was terrible (although it wasn't as bad as I thought), but it would have been a makable field goal attempt. If successful, it would have gotten the Jets on the board and cut the lead to 7-3. The school of thought going in might have been that you can't beat the Pats with field goals, but you also can't beat them if you don't score any points at all.
You spent all week on this? The Patriots held onto the football for nearly the entire first half and the Jets were down, but how does running back Thomas Jones only carry the football 9 times in a game? It's almost as if the Jets are going out of their way to not include TJ in the game plan. Jones didn't make the most out of his rushes as he finished with only 19 yards on the ground.
Hold the line. The New England D really exposed the Jets offensive line problems. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour knifed right by left guard Adrien Clarke and drove Clemens into the ground and out of the game early in the first quarter. The line couldn't open up holes in the running game and allowed 5 sacks and countless pressures.
Captain Clutch. Kicker Mike Nugent trotted onto the field with 2:17 left in the game and the Jets down 20-10. The situation was bleak, but the Green and White would still have a fighting chance if Nugent drilled the 35-yard field goal attempt. The Jets were successful on an onside kick last week against Cleveland and the sloppy conditions could have made things even trickier. Was it the dream of an eternal optimist? You bet, but Nugent pissed those thoughts away as his kick sailed wide left.
So, if it wasn't for the interception return for a touchdown, a blocked punt, a field goal attempt that didn't happen, a fumble deep in enemy territory, questionable personnel decisions and a missed field goal, the Jets might have had a shot in this one.
Ah, so close and yet so far.
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