Flip out: Patriots kick to start OT, Jets win it 26-20

Ryan Fitzpatrick found receiver Eric Decker in the back corner of the end zone for the six-yard touchdown strike just 2:37 into the overtime frame, finishing off a strong overall day for the quarterback.

The script unfolded in agonizingly familiar fashion for the New York Jets during the final 20 minutes of regulation Sunday afternoon, when a second-half lead against the New England Patriots shriveled to nothing heading into an overtime that seemed sure to end with a defeat as painful as it would be inevitable.

November 13, 2008: New York Jets win at New England, 36-30.

Marshall’s tone was light, but what he asked McDaniels was probably something similar – perhaps a cleaner version – to what Patriots fans were asking their television screens when Bill Belichick opted to kick the ball away to begin the overtime period.

The halftime margin was New York’s biggest over the Patriots since a 2010 playoff game the Jets won in Foxborough.

“There wasn’t any confusion”, the coach said. “We’re on to next week”.

It was fitting that receivers made some of the most decisive plays in the Jets 26-20 overtime win over the Patriots Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Belichick has done it three times during that span, beating San Diego that way in 2001 and Denver in 2013. The Patriots forced the Jets to punt on their three previous series, so maybe Belichick thought Fitzpatrick’s magic had disappeared. It was the third time since the 2012 rule change a team chose to kick off for OT. Keshawn Martin led all non-Gronk Pats receivers with seven catches for 68 yards, and running back James White scored New England’s one receiving touchdown.

According to audio from the CBS broadcast, referee Clete Blakeman said: “Heads is the call….” The result was a situation where it was unclear if Slater wanted to kick off, or was deciding which side to receive.

Asked again about New England’s decision to kick it off in overtime, Marshall had nothing but praise for the Patriots and the savvy of their coaching staff. We talked to Iran Armand in Toronto are Vista got to put his arm and it showed that look you keep your head up we’re gonna need you. New England is still in control of the No. 1 seed and Belichick coached like he just wanted to get out of here without anybody else getting hurt.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images Bill Belichick helps make the road to the postseason easier for the Jets with a boneheaded decision. The Jets, who got back on a solid footing with a win over the Dolphins in Week 12, pulled off an improbable comeback against the Giants in Week 13, pounded the Titans in Week 14, gutted one out against the Cowboys in Week 15 and thrived in the extra session here today.

The Jets led 10-3 at the end of a first half in which they held the ball for 16:44, including for 13:07 on their two scoring drives.

“It’s bittersweet”, Richardson said. With decided by the fact that the Puget were unable to convert in the passing you went up we needed to I mean I don’t know what the final numbers were. I’ll say that. The guys who can do something about it and make a difference that are on the field have to go out and try to play well and win for this team – win for the guys who aren’t out there playing for us.

An error after winning a coin flip did in the Patriots Sunday in a 26-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets.

A victory next week at Miami still gets the Patriots the top spot.

Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, including one to Calvin Johnson early in the fourth quarter for Detroit. The Patriots are without their top two receivers and two top running backs and their offensive line is a mess.

But, the Patriots couldn’t do much against the Jets’ defense. He still had Rob Gronkowski, but the veteran spent the game blanketed by Darrelle Revis and was targeted on just six of Brady’s thirty-one targets. New England was 1 of 10 on third down, although it was 3 of 3 on fourth-down conversions.