New England Patriots win ugly in week eleven vs. Jets

The New England Patriots are now significant players in the AFC East after their 5,412nd consecutive win against the New York Jets on Sunday.  It was a game that the Patriots needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they got it done.

It was perhaps one of the ugliest games the NFL has had this season, and it looked headed for overtime, but New England was able to do just enough to win the game.  Naturally, like most Patriots’ games this season, the offense struggled to consistency move the ball with Mac Jones under center, while the defense played well.

However, the Jets were punting it away with just seconds remaining in regulation in a 3-3 tie.  Marcus Jones, the third round rookie, returns a punt over 80 yards for the game-winning score.  It was a shocking way to win a game.  How often do we see a walk-off punt or kick return?

This was a game that neither team deserved to win if I’m being honest.  The box score was ugly for the most part.  On offense, Mac Jones was pretty efficient,  going 23/27 for 246 yards.  Damien Harris led the way with 65 rushing yards on eight carries, and Rhamondre Stevenson led the way with 56 receiving yards on six receptions.

Defensively, the Patriots held Zach Wilson to just nine completions for 77 yards.  They also sacked him four times.  Matthew Judon was credited with 1.5 sacks, bringing his 2022 sack total to 13 with seven games left.

The Patriots committed more than double the penalties that the Jets did, but they were able to win time of possession.  They ran more total plays and had three less punts.  They had seven more first downs than New York and averaged more yards per play.

The Jets only had 103 total yards, which is what some teams can gain in just one quarter.  Overall, it was a typical Patriots’ win, which is fine, but the offense not being able to score a touchdown is obviously the big takeaway from this game.