The New York Jets lost their third consecutive game on Sunday, falling on the road to the rival New England Patriots by a score of 30-21. Tom Brady threw for 321 yards and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis went for 136 yards and two scores for New England, who moved to 4-1 on the season while the Jets fell to 2-3.
Rex Ryan said earlier in the week that he wanted to see the Jets get back to the running game, and Shonn Greene did have a solid 83 yards on the ground. But the Jets’ offense was out of rhythm for most of the game, going three-and-out in its first four series and seven times overall in the game against a New England defense that is one of the weakest in football. Mark Sanchez threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but had just 70 yards passing heading into the fourth quarter and 13 passing yards in a forgettable third quarter.
The Patriots led 10-7 heading into halftime, and scored on their first drive of the second half to go up by 10. The Jets responded on Jeremy Kerley’s first career touchdown to cut the Pats’ lead to a field goal. But the Jets’ defense had a tough time with Green-Ellis in the second half, and his second touchdown of the game with just over a minute left in the third quarter to once again re-up New England’s lead to 10 at 24-14.
After a Stephen Gostkowski field goal, Santonio Holmes’ 21-yard touchdown grab kept the Jets within striking distance at 27-21. But when the Jets’ defense needed a stop, they couldn’t get it. With seven minutes left, the Patriots ran the ball down New York’s throat with Green-Ellis ripping off large chunks of yardage. New England eventually got down deep into Jets territory and Gostkowski converted a 27-yard field goal to ice the game.
The Jets next play on Monday night when they host the Miami Dolphins in a critical game. The Jets are two games behind the Buffalo Bills and Patriots, and are under the .500 mark for the first time under Ryan. A win on Monday could give the Jets some renewed confidence. A loss would be devastating.
Either way, the losses are piling up quickly for the Jets and a playoff spot is becoming increasingly in doubt.