GAME BALLS:
1) BenJarvus Green-Ellis: A
career day for the Lawfirm. 136 yards on 27
carries. Green-Ellis also turned in a 2 TD performance. But
his signature moment came when the patriots needed to grind out the
clock in the fourth quarter. Green-Ellis carried the ball 11 of the
team’s 12 plays on their final possession, enough to run the clock down
and get a crucial field goal that salted away the win.
2) Wes Welker: The Jets knew that Brady
would try to find welker, yet they were unable to stop him from another
100-yard performance. Welker finished with 5 catches for 124 yards and
is on pace to shatter Jerry Rice’s single season receiving record.
3) Patriots Defense: Still statistically
the worst in the league, the defense showed up in the first half to
shut down the Jets offense. Four drives, four 3-and-outs to
start the game. While they still allowed 21 points, New England held
the Jets to 255 total yards.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Tom Brady – He is on pace to break Dan Marino’s
single season passing record. Brady finished by completing 24
of 33 passes with a touchdown. Brady’s only major mistake was a tipped
ball that was intercepted in the red zone by Antonio Cromartie.
Stephen Gostkowski – 3 for 3 on field goals. Most
of his kickoffs went 8 yards deep into the end zone. Another
solid day for the veteran kicker.
GOATS:
1) Kickoff coverage unit: after
New England took a commanding 17-7 lead in the third quarter, the
ensuing kick was returned 88 yards to let the Jets get right back in
the game less than two minutes later.
2) Pass Rush: The Jets had issues keeping
Mark Sanchez protected through the first four games. The
Patriots were barely able to get to Sanchez despite forcing pressure
and using blitzes. If the Patriots are going to survice the
season, the rush needs to be improved.
3) James Ihedigbo: The former Jet finished with 6
tackles on the day but his lapse in coverage of Santonio Holmes in the
fourth quarter allowed the Jets an easy 21-yard TD to pull within 6.
Ihedigbo struggled in coverage for the Patriots previously, and this
game was no different. Needs to be more consistent.
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS
Thomas Welch – Struggled filling in for Nate Solder
at right tackle. Was pulled after getting beat in one series.
Penalties – Solder was pulled mid-series
for committing a costly holding penalty. Gronkowski committed a
facemask putting the team in hole. Sloppy penalties could have cost the
team.
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