Pats escape with win over NY Jets on blocked field goal
By John Pinto
Comment Columnist
The last time the Patriots faced the Jets, defensive tackle Chris Jones was the scapegoat in the Patriots loss when he was penalized on a game-winning 56-yard field goal attempt by New York kicker Nick Folk. Folk missed that field goal but got another chance after the penalty and made a 42-yard field goal to win the game.
Things were a little different this time around.
With five seconds left in the game, Folk attempted a 58-yard field goal that would have given the Jets a one point win, but it was blocked by none other than Jones. The Patriots improved to 5-2 on the season and remain undefeated at home, while the Jets drop to 1-6 and extend their losing streak to six straight games.
The Patriots were heavy favorites to win this game because of the way the Jets had been playing recently and the fact that they were on a five game losing streak, but the Jets came out motivated for this divisional game. This game was more about the Jets playing well than the Patriots playing badly.
Shockingly, the Jets had the Patriots beaten in multiple statistical categories, such as time of possession. In the first quarter, the Patriots had possession of the ball for only two minutes and 36 seconds. Their total time of possession for the game was only 19 minutes compared to the Jets’ 41.
The Jets had 28 first downs in the game and the Patriots only had 16. Running backs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson gutted the Patriots defense as the Jets ran for 218 yards, which is the most rushing yards allowed in a game by a Belichick team.
When you look at the numbers, the Jets shouldn’t have lost this game, but the Patriots came around like usual and found a way to win.
Tom Brady and the Patriots face Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears next on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game will air on FOX, which is channel 27.1 on the BSU campus.
The Bears lost to the Miami Dolphins last week 27-14, dropping to 3-4 on the season, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall publicly called out his teammates after the game, calling the team’s play “unacceptable.”
Things were very emotional after the game, which can do one of two things. Either the Bears will come out against the Patriots and play badly again, or Marshall’s words will motivate his teammates and they will come out firing on all cylinders. This should be a good game.
John Pinto is a Comment Columnist.
