Playoff implications loom everywhere as the New York Jets and New England Patriots prepare to write another chapter in their storied rivalry.
By Paul Newbold
That day the Jets truly challenged Tom Brady and held the rival Patriots in check for three quarters of football. It was an intense see-saw battle with the lead changing 6 different times.
Late in the fourth quarter, Nick Folk kicked a field goal to put the Jets within a touchdown with time winding down. The Jets successfully pulled off an onside kick, with Brandon Marshall falling on the ball, and giving the Jets a final chance to tie the game.
The Jets took over possession at the Patriots 49 yard and Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Eric Decker on a 12 yard slant play, moving the ball to the Patriots 37 yard line. There was just fourteen seconds left on the clock when Fitzpatrick took the snap to spike the ball, as the Jets were out of time outs. Unfortunately for the Jets, Brandon Marshall got called for a false start on the play and the ensuing run off ended the Jets comeback effort.
It was a game where the Jets outplayed their opponent, but they squandered their chance in the fourth quarter. Tom Brady took the ball the length of the field in a ten play drive that ate up 5:34 off the clock. Brady featured Ron Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola on the drive. Gronkowski was good for three completions of the drive, one for 11 yards, another for 23 yards, and the final reception was only good for two yards. Julian Edelman added a 27 yard catch and Danny Amendola took it into the end zone on a 8 yard pass. The Jet defense that had been fairly stout all day, seemingly disappeared on the drive and the touchdown sealed the Jets fate.
On the day Ryan Fitzpatrick went 22 of 39 for 295 yards, and two touchdowns. His quarter back rating was a solid 73.7 on the day. His counterpart Tom Brady went 34 of 54 for 355 yards and a pair of touchdowns himself, ending the game with a 79.2 quarterback rating.
In the passing game, Ryan Fitzpatrick spread the ball around and the Jets put up 295 yards through the air. Eric Decker led the way with a spectacular game that saw him put up 94 yards on just six receptions. Of course, Brandon Marshall made his contributions to come in behind Decker with 67 yards on 4 catches. Four different players had 20+ yard receptions with Decker (24 yds), Marshall (29 yds), Tommy Bohannon (23 yds), Chris Owusu (21 yds) all getting in on the action.
Jets vs Pats was a hard fought battle, one in which the Jets likely should have won. The Jets out gained the Pats, putting up 372 yards of offense to the Patriots 353 yards. The Jets also won the time of possession battle with the Jets controlling the ball for 33:03 to the Pats 26:57. In the end though, the Jet defense gave up two fourth quarter TD’s and the Jet offense stalled on drives and only produced two field goals.
The game was a heartbreaking loss for the fans, and threw the Jets into a bit of a slump, losing to the Raiders the following week and barely beating the Jaguars the week after. The Jets dropped games to the Buffalo Bills, and Huston Texans before rebounding to beat the Dolphins. The Dolphin game was the first victory in the Jets current four game win streak.
This week the dreaded Patriots travel to Met Life stadium to take on the Jets on their own turf. This game is basically a do or die game for the Jets, a victory will keep them in contention for a wild card spot, and a loss would likely send them home after the finale with the Buffalo Bills. Let’s take a look at how this one might play out.
On Sunday, Tom Brady will lead his 12-2 Patriots into the unfriendly confines of Met Life Stadium to take on the New York Jets. The Jets are healthy and will take a four game winning streak into Sunday’s contest. Jet fans want revenge, and with the recent resurgence of the Jet offense, are smelling blood.
The Patriots on the other hand have been dealing with a bunch of injuries, and although they are regaining some health, they remain banged up. They lost to the Denver Broncos 30-24 in week 12 without Danny Amendola and Ron Gronkowski. In week 13 they were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles 35-28, despite the return of Amendola. Getting both Amendola and Gronkowski back turned their fortunes around as the Patriots rebounded with victories over the Huston Texans and Tennessee Titans the past two week. The Patriots final game of the season comes Sunday against the Jets.
Much of this game depends on what Bill Belichick and his coaching staff to do in this game. With the Pats already standing at 12-2 and having clinched the AFC East divisional title, the Pats may decide to rest many or all of their stars for the finale. If that is the case, the Jets would likely be afforded an easy victory by default.
This is a divisional rivalry however, and the Jets will likely see the Patriot starters for at least a little while on Sunday. This rivalry, as any Jet fan will tell you, is a fierce one, with very few good feeling between the participants.
The Jets played the Patriots tight in the beginning of the season, and are currently playing better offensively then they were in week 7. Back in October’s game, Ryan Fitzpatrick was still trying to get comfortable with the Jet receivers and Chan Gailey’s offense. Things should pan out well for the Jets this time around if they can execute the game plan.
The first time around, Todd Bowles and Chan Gailey had the perfect game plan in place and the Jets executed it well into the fourth quarter. This time around the game plan shouldn’t change much, and if the Jets can play a complete four quarters of football, they have an excellent shot at bringing down the win and staying statistically alive in the play off hunt.
In the last game, the Jets defense shut the Patriot run game down early, forcing Tom Brady to attempt 54 passes against a toughly built Jet secondary. The Patriots were held to an astonishing 16 yards on the ground, with Tom Brady leading the way with 15 yards on 4 carries. LeGarrette Blount was held to -3 yards on the day. The Jet front seven shut down the run and came after Tom Brady with everything they could muster, sacking Brady three times in the game.
The Jets will have to do much the same this time around. Shutdown the run and pressure Brady at every turn. This time around however, the Jets are a better team. In October, Sheldon Richardson was just getting back from his four game suspension for violating the league’s drug policies, and wasn’t at the top of his game. Richardson is playing at a very high level now, and his fellow play makers along the defensive front have followed suit as well.
Leonard Williams was only playing part time and still adjusting to the NFL back in October. Through his rookie year, Jet fans can easily attest to this young man’s development. He’s playing with a greater level of confidence and the Patriots would be wise to take notice. Muhammad Wilkerson is having a huge year, setting his career high in sacks, and shutting down the run just as well as he always has. Wilkerson has 12 sacks on the year and has put up five sacks in the last 4 games. He missed chalking up his thirteenth sack several times against Dallas, so expect the big man to be looking to make up for it against the Patriots.
This game is always brutal in the trenches, but this Sunday promises to be a battle. The Patriots may not have as much to lose as the Jets do, but this is a long running rivalry and pride runs deep in both these franchises.
Offensively, it’s hard to go toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and company. However, Ryan Fitzpatrick and company have proven this year that they can play at a very high level and efficiency. The Jets offense has been sporadic at times, but has been playing much improved football in the last month. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have proven to be the most prolific Jet tandem in Jet history, and Ryan Fitzpatrick trusts them both emphatically. The emergence of Quincy Enunwa as the season has progressed has only added to Fitzpatrick’s options in the passing game. Enunwa’s contributions in the blocking game have also aided the Jet offense. Bilal Powell is back healthy and has been a “spark plug” for the Jet offense since his return.
The Jets will need to get their run game going on Sunday. The offensive line struggled to do that at the last meeting, but it is vital that they get the job done on Sunday. When the Jets get their run game going, Chan Gailey’s offense takes off. Mixing in the run game will also aid the Jets in taking more time off the clock, thus keeping Tom Brady on the sideline, where obviously he can’t score points from.
The Jets offense will have to bring their “A” game to stay with Brady and the Patriots offense. They certainly have the talent in place to compete, it’ll be up to them to get it done if they want to have any chance of seeing the post season.
Defensively, the Jets secondary will be tested facing Tom Brady. Rob Gronkowski was allowed eleven receptions for 108 yards at the last meeting, and the Jets will need to contain the big tight end a bit more on Sunday. Danny Amendola had eight catches for 86 yards and Julian Edelman added five catches for 54 yards.
The good news for the Jets is their secondary has seen a resurgence and playing better football, then it was back in October. Marcus Williams is healthy and his six interceptions on the year have proven he has a nose for the ball. Darrelle Revis is an elite corner in the league and proven it all season by shutting down the opposing team’s number one receivers. Antonio Cromartie has seemed to get a “second wind” after looking slowed and banged up early in the season. His play has been more consistent in recent weeks as the Jets seemed to have worked out a few of the wrinkles. Buster Skrine has played well throughout the season, as has Darrin Walls when he’s been given the opportunities.
Up front, the Jets are as good as anyone at stopping the run. They had little trouble stopping the Patriots run game the first time around, and odds are good that will be the case on Sunday. Forcing Brady to drop back and throw the football may sound crazy, but it will allow Jets defenders to pin their ears back and rush him. It is not easy to get a sack on Tom Brady, but the Jets will need to be in his face and hitting him at every opportunity. This Jets front undoubtedly has the talent to bring the pressure, and Tom Brady could be in for a long day.
The Jets linebackers will need to make major adjustments if Inside Line Backer David Harris can’t go on Sunday. Harris left the Dallas game with what was later described as a back contusion by Todd Bowles. Harris is the leader of this group and if he can’t go, expect the Patriots to test the group early.
The Jets defense has the talent level to get the job done, but they will need to execute and apply the pressure to Tom Brady. The secondary is playing at a high level and should match up well with the Patriots receivers. Jets linebackers will need to play at a high level and tackle well. Again, the talent is there to win this game, now the Jets will need to get it done if they have any hopes of the playoffs being in their future.
Of course, all this will be moot if Bill Belichick decides to rest his crew for their playoffs. The fact that the Jets are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, might be enough for Belichick to roll out the starters to put the Jets away. The Jets normally play the Patriots tough, and Belichick might not want to risk seeing them for a third time.
However it plays out, it’s a win or go home matchup for the Jets. They possess talent on both sides of the ball, and now is the time to show exactly how good this team is.
Time will tell if the Jets belong in the playoffs after this Sunday.