The brand new England Patriots hold to find methods to interrupt the new york Jets’ hearts.
This time around, it was Patriots third-round cornerback Marcus Jones taking an eighty-four-backyard punt return throughout the aim line with five seconds closing for the sport-winning rating inside the Pats’ 10-3 win, giving New England its 14th immediate victory in opposition to new york on an afternoon in which neither crew’s offense confirmed up.
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Jones’ heroics on a punt that might’ve been better located out of bounds — there have been simply 26 seconds ultimate at the snap of the ball — underscore the Pats’ mental aspect over the nonetheless-evolving Jets. It also keeps the whole AFC North inside a sport of each other.
“My foremost factor became I thought they have been gonna pass beforehand and attempt to kick it out of bounds due to the time on the clock,” Jones said following the sport. “but the first factor was making sure I observe my teammates blockading, and then I see the punter, and I was like, ‘If I make him miss, then I must be capable of cross the space.'”
Jones’ go-back ended up as the second-longest fourth-quarter TD to take the lead in Patriots records. It ranks behind simplest the grandfather of NFL community’s Kayla Burton, Ron Burton, who scored a 91-backyard field-goal go back in 1962, according to NFL studies.
Despite the fact that a few felt the history-making play must have been referred to as back due to an obvious block in the back by Mack Wilson on Justin Hardee, the league office defined that officials efficaciously hung on to their flags. Even though Hardee flew forward on Wilson’s block near the 15-backyard line, Wilson approached from the facet and therefore made legal touch.
And so the rookie did take it the distance, rectifying an afternoon where a usual unique groups anchor, Nick folks, ignored two kicks, and the Patriots offense struggled to transport the ball continuously no matter Mac Jones finishing 23 of 27 passes for 246 yards.
It additionally robbed Jets quarterback Zach Wilson of the possibility to reward his protection in extra time for holding the Patriots to the most effective three points in the assessment of big apple’s 103 internet offensive yards on the day.
Wilson, who tossed three interceptions inside the group’s Week eight loss to New England, arguably turned in a worse performance Sunday despite gambling turnover-unfastened ball. He finished simplest 9 of his 22 passes for 77 yards, managed six first downs, and transformed on simply 3 of 14 1/3 downs.
Nevertheless, the defense turned into each prepared and watching to retain the fight into extra time.
“It changed into the game we desired,” cornerback D.J. Reed stated. “We had been smiling. We had been satisfied. The defense concept became going to additional time, we had been ready to head. I’m in disbelief.”
CB Sauce Gardner echoed Reed, announcing, “that is crazy. It is something that occurs in a video game or something. … The protection, we have been prepared to place the game on our shoulders, however, alas we didn’t get there.”
Alternatively, the Patriots final-2d win leaves both teams sitting at 6-four, a recreation behind the payments and Dolphins heading into Week 12.
Regardless of posting the biggest spotlight of his young profession to this point, Jones appears to be a natural adaptor of the Belichick manner with the aid of setting this one in the back of him and preserving his eye on the calendar in advance.
“It’s one of these conditions to in which I am glad truly for a divisional win,” Jones said. “And now I’m direct to the following week.”
