5 Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to the Jets
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to the Jets
"It was obviously a real competitive game here. Thought we had our chances, just couldn't quite make enough plays," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Patriots tied the game at 20 on a Tom Brady touchdown pass to James White with 1:55 to play in the game after trailing 17-3 early in the third quarter. The jets offense got the ball back however the defense forced overtime.
In the overtime period, the Patriots elected to kick the ball away giving the Jets first possession and that is all they would need.
On the kick, Belichick said "We thought that was the best thing to do," and went on to say that "there was no confusion."
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Jets on a five play, 80 yard drive concluding in a 6 yard Eric Decker touchdown catch to give New York a 26-20 win.
With the win and a Steelers loss, the Jets now control their own destiny going into the final week of the season.
The Leaders
Tom Brady went 22 of 31 for 231 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Keshawn Martin was the Patriots leading receiver with seven catches for 68 yards.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, January 3rd when they visit Miami to take on the Dolphins. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
5 Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to the Jets
Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson made his debut for the Patriots and was not a huge factor though he had two or three little runs for first downs late in the game.
Overall, Jackson had 7 carries for 15 yards and averaged 2.1 yards per carry.
Will be interesting to see how the Patriots use him as he gets more familiar with the offense.
Keshawn Martin
One positive for the Patriots was the play of Keshawn Martin who in a time of need, really stepped up and became Brady's go to guy.
Martin finished the game with a team high 7 catches for 68 yards and averaged 9.7 yards per carry.
Martin seemd to be the second option on most plays behind Gronkowski.
End of Half conservatism
After the Jets scored a touchdown to go up 10-3, the Patriots got the ball back with two minutes left to play and two time outs.
On the first play of the drive, New England picked up a first down but then were extremely conservative the rest of the way, seemingly content to go into the half.
"We didn't have very good field position. We got the ball to start the second half so we took it there," said Bill Belichick when asked about it after the game.
This is about the third time the Patriots have done this in the last 5 weeks or so and it is extremely frustrating.
Secondary issues
The Patriots secondary struggled in this game without Patrick Chung or Devin McCourty.
While Eric Decker only had three catches, one of which ended the game, Brandon Marshall was a dominant force while being covered by Logan Ryan.
Marshall had eight catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 14.4 yards per catch.
McCourty and Chung are both expected back in the playoffs.
Coin Toss
The Patriots chose to kick.
"We thought that was the best thing to do," said Belichick after the game.
The confusion was not on the call, the confusion came after when the referee asked the Jets which side they wanted to receive on.
Slater thought the Patriots got to choose both kick or receive and which way, however, that is not the case.
"On coin toss you can defer, elect to kick, elect to receive, or elect to defend a goal. Only get to choose one and can't change decision," said Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino on Twitter.
Again, the Patriots chose to kick the ball away. Why they did that is another story?
In a sudden death type situation, why the Patriots wouldn't take the ball, especially with a defense that was barely hanging on is just a bad coaching decision.
