FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Deadlocked at 3-3 for the entire second half of a game defined by offensive ineptitude, the Patriots sent out rookie Marcus Jones to field what would be final punt of the game.
Overtime felt inevitable.
Jones, a 5-foot-8 cornerback, had left college as one of the greatest returners in NCAA history. In the NFL, he was a quiet reserve best known for small stature. But no more.
Fielding the Jets’ punt at his 16-yard line, Jones stepped left, then raced right, picked up a couple blocks and sped up the right sideline before cutting back across the field for the game’s only touchdown with 0:05 on the clock.
Gillette Stadium shook. A mix of relief, joy and laughter washed over the 68,000-plus in attendance and the entire Patriots sideline. The biggest game of their season — and by far the ugliest — was finally in the bag.
Thanks to Jones, the Pats edged the Jets 10-3 for their 14th straight win in a once fierce rivalry. Winners of five of their last six, the Patriots’ playoff hopes are now as strong as ever. The Pats (6-4) return to action Thursday night at Minnesota in their first Thanksgiving game since 2010.
Fresh off a “self-audit” during the bye week, quarterback Mac Jones went 23-of-27 for 246 yards, no touchdowns and zero interceptions. His counterpart, Jets gunslinger Zach Wilson, finished 9-of-22 for 77 yards and threw two passes that fell off of Patriot hands.
The Patriots allowed a season-low 103 yards, while outside linebacker Matt Judon collected two sacks to set a single-season career high with 13. Safety Kyle Dugger, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise and linebacker Mack Wilson also recorded sacks, while Ja’Whaun Bentley posted a team-best nine tackles.
Picking up where they left off three weeks ago, the AFC East rivals opened with four straight punts. The Patriots finally broke through the scoreless slog with a 14-play field goal drive that crossed into the second quarter. But it came at a cost.
Center David Andrews was lost for the game with a thigh injury. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn hurt his foot and never returned. As the Patriots reshuffled their O-line on the sideline, the Jets marched to their own field goal and a 3-3 score with 9:38 left in the half.
Thanks to a 26-yard pass to Jonnu Smith, the Pats appeared primed to respond on their next possession, but red-zone woes again doomed them. A Yodny Cajuste holding penalty and sack allowed by Trent Brown backed the offense up from New York’s 7-yard line all the way to the 26. From there, Nick Folk launched a missed 44-yard field goal that hit the crossbar after navigating swirling winds at the open end of the stadium.
With 2:49 until halftime, Wilson spoiled the Jets’ chance at scoring before time expired by throwing a would-be interception into Devin McCourty’s chest that McCourty dropped. The 3-3 tie held through halftime.
As every Jets third-quarter drive went three-and-out, the Patriots teased the home crowd with three trips into enemy territory that yielded zero points. Folk missed a 43-yarder on the first possession, then another sack backed them out of field goal range and into a punt on their next series. Minutes later, the Patriots chased a fourth-and-3 conversion at the Jets’ 36, where offensive play-caller Matt Patricia dialed up a sweep to the left behind a blocking Damien Harris.
Stevenson got stuffed. No gain. Jets ball.
Lucky for Patricia, New York’s streak of three-and-outs continued and, somehow, worsened. The Jets gained minus-8 yards over their initial five second-half possessions. And yet, the Pats couldn’t answer, punting three straight times until the 2-minute warning, when the Jets kicked it away for the final time and waved their chances at a win good-bye.
Here were the best and worst Patriot performances from Sunday:
Best
CB Marcus Jones — A game-winning punt return touchdown? No one had a better day than him.
Worst
K Nick Folk — The once automatic kicker missed from 43 and 44 yards away.
Offensive line — The Patriots allowed six sacks of Jones, who played one of his best games of the season.
