Jets vs. Patriots 2012: New York loses game it 'should have won'

The New York Jets lost to the New England Patriots, 29-26, on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium, after losing the lead in the waning seconds.

It appeared late that the Jets would be able to pull out the improbable victory, but they couldn't hold on as Tom Brady twice drove the Patriots to Stephen Gostkowski field goals.

New York had its opportunities to win and move into first place in the AFC East, but ultimately couldn't deliver the knockout blow. In overtime, Mark Sanchez fumbled to end the contest when he was sacked by Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich.

Over at Gang Green Nation, Scott Salmon covers just how easily the the Jets could've won this game, but instead lost due to a bevy of mistakes:

By all rights, the Jets should have won this game in regulation. There were so many points in this game that could have very easily gone the other way, with a high probability being the deciding factor. The kickoff return of a touchdown, the safety, the Patriots' non-fumble, Antonio Cromartie's dropped interception, Stephen Hill's dropped catch at the end, and the pass interference call on Kyle Wilson. All of which could have possibly won us the game. And that doesn't even begin to broach the coaching mistakes in this game, including the conservative goal-line calls and the prevent defense at the end of the game.

It's a bitter pill to swallow for the Jets, who now need to regroup before playing another AFC East rival in the Miami Dolphins next Sunday at MetLife Stadium.