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| Other Week 15 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI at NO | ATL at TB | BAL at MIA | BUF at CLE | CHI at MIN | CIN at SF | DEN at HOU | DET at SD |
| GB at STL | IND at OAK | JAX at PIT | NYJ at NE | PHI at DAL | SEA at CAR | TEN at KC | WAS at NYG |
Week 15 Game Recap: New York Jets 10, New England Patriots 20
What you need to know
| New York Jets |
The Jets took their 3-10 record up north to play the New England Patriots, their long time rival, and the first meeting between these two teams since the now famous, "Spygate" incident. It didn't take long for the hitting to commence as newly crowned starting quarterback Kellen Clemens was dropped by Richard Seymour, on a pass, which resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown. It was this hit by Seymour that ended the day of Clemens and gave way to Chad Pennington, who was able to keep the Jets in the game, completing 25 of 38 passes for 186 yards.
The Jets rushing attack was ineffective in limited action against the Patriots physical front as they only managed to carry the ball 17 times for 90 yards. Leading rusher Leon Washington provided a spark early, as he took a hand off from Brad Smith and scampered 49 yards for a first down, ultimately ending in a red zone stalling drive on the Patriot 17 yard line.
Playing from behind and abandoning the run, Chad Pennington and the Jets took to the air, as he was able to hit six different targets and keep the Jets close, all the way to the waning seconds. Leading receiver Chris Baker brought in eight balls for 66 yards while fellow teammate Jerricho Cotchery added six catches of his own for 53 yards.
The Jets defense did an excellent job of keeping the New England offense in check as they only allowed one touchdown as well as forcing a turnover. It was in the first half, however, that special teams provided the spark New York needed, as David Bowens blocked a Chris Hanson punt,returning it for a touchdown and bringing them within three points of the lead.
| New England Patriots |
The New England Patriots and their record setting pace had two opponents to battle in their week 14 game, The New York Jets, and Mother Nature. On a cold and snowy day, Tom Brady and his offense took to the ground, en route to a 20-10 victory, and their 14th win of the season.
New England quarterback Tom Brady managed the game and was able to complete only 14 of his 27 passes for 140 yards and an interception. The game plan was clearly to get the ball into the hands of Laurence Maroney and the Patriots rushing attack, which has been overshadowed for most of the year. Maroney turned 26 attempts into 104 yards and a touchdown, which would prove to be the Patriots only offensive touchdown of the game.
New England's tough nosed defensive unit showed up yet again and played a vital role in the victory, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a five yard interception return by Eugene Wilson. It was also on this play that Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens was drilled by Richard Seymour, ending his day, and leading way to previous starting quarterback Chad Pennington. Wilson was clearly the defensive play maker as he recorded a fumble recovery, interception, and touchdown for the undefeated Patriots.
What you ought to know
| QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 25 - 38 - 186 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0 |
Chad Pennington who filled in for the injured Clemens performed well however was not able to put the ball in the end zone against the swarming Patriots defensive unit. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 186 yards as he spread the ball around to six different Jets receivers. On a fourth quarter drive, Pennington seemed to hit Justin McCareins in the back of the end zone for a score that would have put the Jets within three points of the lead, however, this play was reviewed and overturned, ultimately ending the hopes for New York.
| QB Kellen Clemens, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Kellen Clemens started the game and was injured on New York's second offensive play from scrimmage. A hit by Richard Seymour, which resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown, ended Clemens day and gave way to Chad Pennington.
| RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 9 - 19 - 0, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (3 targets) |
Jones, whose nine carries led the team, was only able to gain 19 yards rushing while bringing in two of his three targets for 19 yards.
| RB Leon Washington, Rush: 4 - 57 - 0, Rec: 3 - 9 - 0 (4 targets) |
Leon Washington rushed four times for 59 yards, including an impressive 49 yard burst that he broke off on the Jets second drive of the game. He was also able to catch three of his four targets for nine yards.
| WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 6 - 53 - 0 (8 targets) |
Cotchery saw eight targets against the New England secondary as he moved the chains and brought in six balls form 53 yards. He used his toughness and speed to gain good yardage after the catch and prove to be a difficult body to bring down.
| WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 5 - 40 - 0 (12 targets) |
McCareins filled in adequately for the injured Laveranues Coles as he saw a team high 12 targets come his way, bringing in five of them for 40 yards. He was the target of a pass late in the game, which was originally ruled a touchdown, bringing the Jets within three points. The play was challenged by New England and reversed as the replay showed that he did not have possession of the football when his second foot landed.
| WR Brad Smith, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 10 - 0 (3 targets) |
Brad Smith, who was used in a wide array of situations, was only able to gain ten yards rushing on three carries as he was shut out through the air, only seeing three targets.
| WR Laveranues Coles |
Coles started the game, however in the first quarter was seen heading back to the locker room. He did not return to action in the cold and rain.
| TE Chris Baker, Rec: 8 - 66 - 0 (10 targets) |
Baker saw double digit targets, as he was able to bring in eight balls for 66 yards. He was consistently open in the middle of the field and was an integral part of sustaining drives for the Jets. He was clearly a favorite option for quarterback Chad Pennington as he provided a valuable safety valve when down field coverage was tight.
| PK Mike Nugent 1 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points |
Nugent connected on one of his two field goal attempts in the game as well as his only PAT try. His lone miss on the day, was the most vital as it failed to bring the Jets within one score, turning the ball over to New England and ultimately ending the game.
| NYJ Rush Defense |
The New York Rush defense was victimized all day long by Maroney and the Patriots, gaining 131 yards on 31 rushes. Laurence Maroney led the way as he gained 104 yards on the ground and scored the only offensive touchdown for The Pats. The defensive unit of the Jets could not stop the inside or outside rush attack, keeping them on the field for well over half of the ball game.
| NYJ Pass Defense |
The New York pass defense buckled down and really held this explosive offensive unit down all game. They were the first unit this year to successfully hold quarterback Tom Brady to no passing touchdowns as well as holding him to his lowest yardage total of the season. The forced one interception on a play that was targeted for Randy Moss, as well as holding all Patriots receivers under 80 yards receiving. Unfortunately for the Jets, this performance was not enough, as New England controlled the clock via the ground game, en route to their 14th straight victory.
| QB Tom Brady, Pass: 14 - 27 - 140 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 9 - 0 |
Brady came crashing back down to earth, and mostly due to the fact that the New England Patriots committed and stuck to the run early and often. Throwing only 27 times, Brady completed less than half of his pass attempts for 140 yards and no touchdowns. Brady also provided the Patriots only turnover of the game, as Jets corner back Darrelle Revis on a ball intended for wide out Randy Moss intercepted him. It was the first time all season that he has failed to throw a touchdown in a game.
| RB Laurence Maroney, Rush: 26 - 104 - 1 |
Maroney was called on to be the workhorse in the blustery conditions and answered the bell as he ran 26 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. He ran hard all game long and controlled the clock. He was a main staple for the Pats in winning the time of possession battle as he rolled to his second 100 yard rushing game of the season. Maroney also accounted for the only offensive touchdown for New England as he converted a two yard run for his third score of the season.
| RB Kevin Faulk, Rush: 4 - 20 - 0, Rec: 3 - 19 - 0 (3 targets) |
Faulk spelled Maroney during periods of the game and proved to be a good compliment, rushing four times for 20 yards, and bringing in all three of his looks for 19 yards.
| WR Randy Moss, Rec: 5 - 79 - 0 (12 targets) |
Moss led all Patriots receivers with 12 total targets, as he was able to bring in five of them in for 79 yards. He consistently saw double coverage and was the target on Tom Brady's lone interception for the game.
| WR Wes Welker, Rush: 1 - -2 - 0, Rec: 3 - 30 - 0 (5 targets) |
With the running game taking firm hold for all four quarters, Welker was only able to see five looks come his way as he brought in three balls for 30 yards. He also added one rush for a negative gain.
| WR Jabar Gaffney, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (5 targets) |
Gaffney saw five total targets, however was only able to bring in two balls for nine total yards on the day.
| WR Donte Stallworth (2 targets) |
Stallworth was a non factor as he saw only two balls come his way and he was not able to record a catch.
| TE Ben Watson |
Watson was inactive for the game against the Jets.
| PK Stephen Gostkowski 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Gostkowski connected on both of his field goal attempts, with a 34 yard boot being his longest. He also added two extra point conversions.
| NE Rush Defense |
The Patriots rush defense was stout today, holding the Jets to under 100 yards on less than 20 attempts. They stuffed the middles and forced the Jets and backup quarterback Chad Pennington to beat them deep, which was unable to happen, as they rolled on, taking another step towards a perfect season.
| NE Pass Defense |
The New England pass defense did an excellent job against the Pennington led Jets. They bent but did not break as they gave up less than 200 yards and did not allow a touchdown. The Pats also were opportunistic, as Defensive End Richard Seymour put a hit Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens, resulting in an interception and the Patriots first seven points of the game.
