NFL: Jets vs. Patriots- New England Dominates New York Jets 45-3
The New England Patriots pulverized their division rival New York Jets, 45-3, on 6 December in Gillette Stadium, to seize control of the American Football Conference (AFC) East in impressive fashion and brand themselves as a Super Bowl favourite by improving
to 10-2 (the best record in NFL).
New England had won four in a row and ended New York’s eight-game winning streak on the road, five this season. The Jets (9-3) had won four straight, all against teams with losing records.
The New England entered play ranked 32nd in total defence and 22nd in scoring defence, but played like world beaters against the Jets who have dangerous offensive weapons. The New York Jets converted three of 12 third downs against
New England who had yielded 51 percent. The New England gave up their least points of the season and won by their widest margin.
Quarterback (QB) Tom Brady sliced up the Jets' secondary to the tune of 326 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and set an NFL record by winning his 26th straight regular-season home victory, breaking a tie with Brett Favre (Arizona Cardinals’
QB) who won 25 straight with Green Bay from 1995-98.
"We don't listen to the hype," Brady said. "I don't think we ever have. We really take after our coach and he says 'When you win, say little. When you lose, say less."'
Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez failed to reach the end zone and threw three interceptions. He had a season-high 124.3 quarterback in the first matchup but completed 17 of 33 passes for 164 yards in the setback, Jets’ (9-3) first in five games.
The New York Jets rushed for 152 yards, but that real estate seemed marginal in the context of the entire offense. Patriot’s running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, meanwhile, ran 18 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns while running back Danny Woodhead, who
failed to make New York's roster out of training camp, amassed 104 yards on four catches against his former team.
The versatile Woodhead has become more of a focal point for New England since the trade of star wide receiver Randy Moss. The Pats signed him as a free agent a day before losing in New York back on September 19.
Jets’ wide out Santonio Holmes who twice gave the Patriots a short field in the first half, caught six passes for 68 yards for the New York.
Jets safety Eric Smith, who moved into the starting line-up when Jim Leonhard broke his shin, was called for a penalty when he interfered with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the end zone in the first quarter; two plays later, Green-Ellis scored on
a 1-yard run to make it 10-0.
The Jets drove to the Patriots 35 on their opening possession before Nick Folk lost a 53-yard field goal. Folk kicked a 39-yarder in the second quarter for Jets’ only score of the half.
The New England Patriots joined the NFC’s Atlanta Falcons as the only teams with 10-2 records, and took the upper hand in earning a first-round playoff and home field advantage as the New York Jets slipped to 9-3.
Tags: