Patriots get off to hot start, overcome mistakes to top Jets 30-14
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
If not for a couple of ugly mistakes by the Patriots’ offense and punt return units, Sunday’s game against the Jets would have been a laugher. Nonetheless, the Jets managed 14 points with a defensive and special teams touchdown as the Pats won 30-14 in Foxboro.
The Patriots came out throwing on their first offensive drive, making eight consecutive pass attempts. The biggest play came when the Jets defense left tight end Ryan Izzo wide open, then Brady made an easy completion and Izzo scampered for 41 yards. They finished off the drive with their first running play of the day, a Sony Michel five-yard grind for the touchdown. Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point, though, so the Pats started off with a 6-0 lead.
After the Patriots defense forced a three-and-out, the Patriots took over with favorable field position. Brady made the Jets bite on the play-action fake and hit Phillip Dorsett for a 25-yard catch-and-run into the end zone to get the Patriots up 13-0.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1175825131622453250
They followed up that drive with another score to begin the second quarter, when Julian Edelman caught a three-yard TD from Brady to extend the lead to 20-0.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1175829594965807105
The next score didn’t come until there was 8:49 left in the third quarter, as Stephen Gostkowski hit a 37-yard field goal to make it 23-0. Later in the third, Brady hit Gordon for a 28-yard catch to set up first-and-goal then Rex Burkhead slipped past a good block by left tackle Marshall Newhouse to get into the end zone and make it 30-0.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1175849374552772609
However, the Jets did break the shutout and it took the Patriots to beat themselves for it to happen. Rookie returner Gunner Olszewski muffed a punt that allowed the Jets to fall on it for a touchdown. In the fourth, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham entered the game for his first career snaps and promptly threw a pick-six to Jets safety Jamal Adams.
Still, the Pats defense allowed zero points for the second straight game in another outstanding effort. It wasn’t a perfect day for New England, but in the end it didn’t matter because of how good they are and how inept the Jets looked for most of the afternoon.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
