This was a great game with a lot of turns, especially in the second half. The Jets always get up for the Patriots, especially at home, and did a good job of shutting down the Patriots offense.
The Pats won the special teams battle and were able to close it out on offense. That was pretty much the difference.
Here are the plays that defined the win and show the kind of the team the 2014 Patriots are.
We begin with Danny Amendola ’s punt return that set up the Pats’ first touchdown of the game. Amendola needed to step up in Julian Edelman’s absence and he did so both as a receiver and returner.
Red Zone defense might be the defining characteristic of this Patriots defense. Here they face a 3rd-and-7 and are able to get the stop as Hightower correctly diagnosis the handoff and makes the play as the Jets get good push to the side they’re running to.
Here we are again, a third-down stop in the red zone. This time it’s the speed of Jamie Collins that sniffs out the swing pass. In the past, the Patriots did not have the kind of athletes that could make this play. Collins showing great range.
Later in the third quarter, it’s Collins again making the play with an interception 20 yards down the field.
We’re in the red zone again with the Jets inside the 10 yard line, mid-way through the fourth quarter. This time, it’s a relentless pass rush from Chandler Jones and good coverage that puts the Jets in a hole, and eventually leads to a field goal.
The Jets are in Patriots territory once again, posed to take the lead, late in the fourth quarter and it’s third-and-four. That’s as tough a down-and-distance as there is for a defense. The Pats disguise a blitz, but it’s the Jets runningback’s decision to help the tackle instead of blocking Dont’a Hightower that set up the sack. Hightower and Jones are making the big plays in the big moments.
There hasn’t been much offense shown here, because really, there isn’t much to show. But this is the kind of play that you might need in the playoffs. A third-and-1 with the game on the line. The Pats have struggled on third and fourth down short-yardage situations this season.
So to convert this one to seal the win should be a good confidence boost.
