It wasn’t always pretty or even productive on either side of the ball, but the Patriots went into MetLife Stadium Sunday afternoon and beat the Jets for the 13th consecutive time, the latest a 22-17 win.
Mac Jones played wire-to-wire for the New England offense -- No Bailey Zappe Fever or chaos this week! -- but Rhamondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers were the key contributors for the Patriots’ attack that made just enough plays to get the victory.
Defensively the visitors took advantage of a trio of ugly Zach Wilson interceptions and employed a throwback bend-but-don’t-break style that was good enough for New England to get back to .500 on the season at 4-4.
Before turning the page to next Sunday’s battle with the Colts at Gillette Stadium, here are some of the highs and lows from the road win over the Jets.
Thumbs up
Rhamondre Stevenson – From his 14-yard run on his first attempt of the day, Stevenson was essentially the core of the Patriots offense most of the afternoon. He ran hard, caught the ball well and made the plays the unit needed to stay afloat against a very good Jets defense. Stevenson finished with 16 carries for 71 yards on the ground, including a key 35-yard scamper to jumpstart a go-ahead touchdown drive on the first possession of the third quarter. The versatile second-year back also caught 7 passes for 72 yards on the day, piling up nearly 150 yards from scrimmage.
Jakobi Meyers – There is no one more consistently productive on the Patriots offense than the veteran receiver. He converted a pair of third-and-longs on New England’s second drive in the first quarter with catches of 16 and 13 yards. While finding the end zone was once a problem for New England’s leading receiver, he got there for the second straight week with a key fourth-down conversion 5-yard touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter. Meyers finished catching 9 of the 12 balls thrown his way for 60 yards and his team's only touchdown.
Nick Folk – Folk’s record streak for field goals made inside of 50 yards may be over, but the veteran continues to chug along doing his job and getting the critical points the Patriots so badly need. Folk’s 31- and 42-yard field goals in the first half, kept the Patriots in the game at 10-6. His 49-yarder in the third quarter extended the lead to 16-10. Folk grew the lead to 19-10 with a 45-yard field goal. For good measure, he showed he can still hit from distance as well, nailing a 52-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Ho hum, another five-for-five day for the veteran kicker.
Kickoff coverage/Punt return – On the first play of the game Joshuah Bledsoe dropped old friend Braxton Berrios at the 18-yard line. On a kickoff in the third quarter rookie Brendan Schooler downed Berrios at the Jets 17. For the game, the Patriots kick coverage held dangerous Berrios in check. Later in the third quarter rookie returner Marcus Jones set New England up on a short field at the Jets 27 via a 32-yard punt return.
Devin McCourty -- The veteran safety didn't have to do much to record his pair of interceptions other than make the catch on two terrible decisions/throws by Zach Wilson. But he did the job he needed -- staying in bounds on his knees on the first pick -- to take advantage and in doing so picked up his 32nd and 33rd career interceptions, most among active NFL players. Fun day for the respected team leader and backend playmaker to help beat the long time division rival Jets.
Thumbs down
Isaiah Wynn/Marcus Cannon – Isaiah Wynn returned to the game day roster after missing a week to a shoulder injury but did not return to the starting lineup. Marcus Cannon started at right tackle once again and struggled. He allowed a sack to John Franklin-Myers on second drive of the game. He then allowed a pressure by Bryce Huff in the second quarter, a hit that affected Mac Jones’ throw leading to an easy interception. The right tackle spot remains a problem for the Patriots regardless of who plays it. Maybe newly-activated veteran Yodny Cajuste will even get his chance at some point.
Nelson Agholor/Kendrick Bourne/Jonnu Smith – The three veteran pass catchers are three of the more athletic players on the New England roster. But they combined for just three catches for 7 yards on five targets in the first half against New York, including Bourne getting shut out. The trio finished with just four catches for 12 yards on six targets, Bourne held without a catch. Bourne, who has dealt with a toe injury, has now caught one pass or fewer in each of the last four games. The well-paid, athletic veterans just aren’t positive factors in the offense right now, an offense that needs guys to step up and help Jones out.
Pass Protection – The right tackle spot was not the only issue with the New England offensive line on the day. Rookie Cole Strange struggled at times, including a couple penalties as well as a sack allowed to Quinnen Williams in the third quarter to force a field goal. Strange's play has fallen off dramatically in recent weeks as has that of the line as a whole, part of Jones’ issues trying to run the offense.
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