Patriots Defense Continues Domination in 33-0 Victory Over Jets
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Patriots Defense Continues Domination in 33-0 Victory Over Jets
The Patriots forced New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold into four interceptions and a forced fumble, while holding Darnold to just 86 yards passing.
New England has given up just one passing touchdown and 27 total points on the season.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe win improves the Patriots to 7-0 on the year, while the Jets drop to 1-6 overall.
Fast Start for Offense
While the defense was dominant, it was the New England offense that got off to a fast start.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady led New England on a seven-play, 78-yard drive resulting in a three-yard touchdown run by Sony Michel to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead after a Mike Nugent extra point.
On the drive, Brady connected with rookie Jakobi Meyers on a third and seven, hit Julien Edelman on a third and ten, and Ben Watson on a third and five.
The drive took a total of eight minutes and 41 seconds.
Defense Continues Dominance
From that point, it would be the defense that would help spark the offense.
On the Jets first possession, Darnold threw an interception from his own ten-yard line to Devin McCourty.
The pick was caused by a corner blitz from Jamie Collins.
It is McCourty’s fifth interception of the season.
On the Patriots ensuing possession, Nugent would send a 34-yard field goal through the uprights to make the score 10-0.
On New York’s new possession, the Patriots defense forced a four-and-out, giving Brady the ball back at his own 33-yard line.
Seven plays later, Brady connected with Phillip Dorsett on a 26-yard touchdown pass into the corner of the end zone to put the Patriots up 17-0 after a Nugent extra point just before the quarter ended.
Brady finished the game completing 31 of 45 passes for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
In the Jets opening possession of the second quarter, New England’s John Simon strip-sacked Darnold on his own 49-yard line. The fumble was recovered by Kyle Van Noy.
Ten plays later, Brady handed the ball to Michel for a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 24-0 after a Nugent extra point.
New England would take that lead into the break.
In the third quarter, the Jets defense was backed up to their own six-yard line following a Patriots punt.
On second and seven from the six, Darnold fumbled the snap and then batted the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety, making the score 26-0.
The Patriots would follow up that defensive possession, by intercepting Darnold for the third time on the next possession. However, the Patriots offense would not be able to capitalize.
The Patriots offense would add one more score in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Sony Michel to make the score 33-0 following a Nugent extra point.
Michel finished the game with 19 carries for 42 yards and three touchdowns.
Historical Numbers for Patriots
With the four interceptions on Monday night, the Patriots defense becomes the first team since 1996 to record 18 interceptions over the first seven games.
No other team in the NFL has more than nine interceptions on the year.
New England as a team has allowed only 48 points through the first seven games, the first to do that and start 7-0 since 1934.
By comparison, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens allowed 75 points through the first seven games and 165 points on the season, an NFL record.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, October 27 when they host the Cleveland Brown at Gillette Stadium.
The Browns had a bye this week.
Game time is set for 4:25 p.m.