FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — As long as the Jets’ destiny was in the hands of the defense, they believed they could not lose.
A defense with six sacks and 11 stops on 15 third-down chances. Sunday was about to take the field again to force overtime at Gillette Stadium when the Patriots’ Marcus Jones scored the game’s only touchdown on an 84-yard punt return with five seconds remaining to grab a 10-3 victory.
John Franklin-Myers, a defensive lineman, remarked, “It stings to see anything like that” “All you want is a single blade of grass to defend, but we didn’t provide that.”
The Jets blitz less frequently than all but one other NFL team, but their opening blitz led to a combined sack by Franklin-Myers and Quincy Williams, setting the tone for a battle of wits with Bill Belichick.
“Our first priority is for our rush and coverage to cooperate so that we can dominate up front,” Williams told The Post. “Our game strategy was a major factor. We were familiar with the most of their plays and what they would run. We communicated it on the back end, had the quarterback hold the ball a little longer, and had our defensive line do what they do.”
Mac Jones is sacked by Quincy Williams (56) and John Franklin-Myers (91) during the Jets’ defeat to the Patriots.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Three of the Jets’ six sacks occurred while the Patriots were threatening inside the 25-yard line or closer, which led to the failed field goals of two teams.
Franklin-Myers stated, “It’s difficult to find much negative to say about our pass rush.” We anticipate victory in every one-on-one encounter.
While the Patriots’ defense was completely dominant, allowing only 103 total yards of offense, the Jets allowed 297 yards that were entirely empty. With the score deadlocked for all but 5:19 of the opening 59:55 of the game, Mac Jones’ quarterback rating (104.6) was similarly worthless.
Franklin-Myers stated, “We enter every game expecting to shut them out as a mentality.” “The Patriots have a number of outstanding players, including a number of great running backs who break many tackles. “I believe we did a fantastic job of bringing the populace to the ball, as we were aware of the need to do so.”
Instead of blaming special teams or the offense, the defense lamented the lack of a forced turnover.
Mac Jones is sacked by Quinnen Williams during the Jets’ defeat to the Patriots.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“We have a higher chance to win games in when we commit turnovers,” Williams said. As soon as the game concluded, our first priority was acquiring turnovers since they alter the momentum.
If Braden Mann’s punt went out of bounds, the Patriots would receive possession of the football with fewer than 20 seconds remaining on the clock, and maybe again in overtime.
It was the game we want, said cornerback D.J. Reed. “We were smiling. We were happy. The defense believed there would be overtime, and we were ready to play. We gave Jones a chance, and he is an outstanding punt returner. They deserve credit for achieving it, but I am incredulous. This one is challenging.”