New York scored on their opening drive, taking the early 7-0 lead, but New England responded on the next drive, tying the game 7-7.
Geno Smith then threw a pick 6 and New England led 14-7 in the middle of the first quarter, but the Jets came back down the field to kick a field goal and trailed 14-10 early in the second. When the Patriots went up 21-10 just before the half, it looked like this might be another one that got away from the Jets.
But the Jets rebounded after the half. In the third quarter, Antonio Allen had a pick 6 of Tom Brady, returning it for a 23 yard touchdown, and the Jets pulled within four points to 21-17.
Geno Smith’s time to shine came later in the third when, after completing an impressive 27 yard pass to David Nelson, ended up scrambling 14 yards for a first down, and then scrambling again for 8 yards to score the go ahead touchdown, giving the Jets the lead 24-21.
Nick Folk kicked a field goal at the end of the third, and the Jets led 27-24 starting the fourth. The Patriots tied the game with two field goals. For a moment, it looked the Jets were going to put a 10 point lead on the board between Patriot field goals, 34-24, but a long touchdown pass from Smith to Stephen Hill was negated when it was ruled that Hill pushed off the defender.
The Jets won the game on Folk’s leg again. He originally missed the 56 yard field goal wide left, but New England’s Chris Jones was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, giving the Jets an extra 15 yards and another chance. Folk nailed the 42 yard field goal, giving the Jets the win.
Even though Geno Smith’s pick 6 was devastating at the time, that’s where he stopped his turnovers. He had three interceptions in the fourth the last time the Jets played the Patriots in Week 2. The Jets lost that game.
Smith’s final line on the day was 17 for 33 for 233 yards with one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, one interception, and no fumbles. Jeremy Kerley was the big receiver this game, with eight receptions for 97 yards. David Nelson had four receptions for 80 yards. Chris Ivory was the lead rusher on the day, with 34 carries for 104 yards.
The Jets defensive did a fairly good job today, especially when it came to the line putting pressure on Tom Brady. Brady was sacked by Mo Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, Calvin Pace and Quentin Coples. Rattling Brady seems to be when the Jets (and other teams) are most effective against him. Brady’s line on the day was 22 of 46 for 228 yards, one interception, and two fumbles (both recovered by the Patriots).
Rob Gronkowski’s return to the Patriots was spoiled. While he had eight receptions for 114 yards, he was unable to complete a high, one armed reception late in the fourth that would have won the game for New England.
The Jets kick and punt return game was greatly helped by new comer Josh Cribbs, who returned one kickoff for 17 yards and three punts for a combined total of 44 yards.
The Jets play next week against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Kickoff is at 4:05.
