It could have been the game that set the Jets up for the AFC East title and perhaps a home playoff game, but the Jets offense forgot to show-up in Sunday’s 37-16 loss to New England.
What went right …
1. Pouha’s Penetration
In their Week 5 win, New England benefitted from the hard running of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who had 27 rushes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Last night, Green-Ellis had difficulty as the defensive line plugged up running lanes.
2. For your safety
Down 6-0 late in the second quarter, the Jets needed a momentum shifter. The once raucous crowd had gotten quiet and the offense was sputtering. But with the Patriots forced into third-and-13 from their own 5-yard line, Jamaal Westerman broke past former Jet Danny Woodhead to get a grip on Tom Brady, forcing an intentional grounding in the end zone and a safety.
3. Limiting Welker
Wes Welker had consistently plagued the Jets. The shifty wide receiver had always proved tough to handle. He had five catches for 124 yards in Week 5. But as elusive as Welker had been in previous meetings, he was held quiet all night long. The secondary, keyed by Darrelle Revis, held Welker to just six catches and 46 receiving yards in one of his lowest outputs of the season.
What went wrong …
1. Folk’d up
It was the dream start for the Jets — a Joe McKnight 38-yard return on the game’s opening kickoff was followed by a strong drive, featuring Sanchez finding Holmes for catches of 16 and 27 yards. The drive sputtered and Nick Folk hooked his 24-yard effort well wide.
2. Tarnished armor
Down 13-9 early in the third quarter, the Jets had just forced the Patriots into a three-and-out and still were in the game. Zoltan Mesko sent a 53-yard punt towards Joe McKnight. McKnight muffed the punt and Donald Strickland failed to corral the ball, leading to a turnover.
3. Tight end domination
The Patriots predicate their offense on matchups, and love to utilize their pass-catching tight end down the field. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez repeatedly ate up the Jets’ secondary.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
