Patriots Beat Jets 22-17 at MetLife Stadium

Getting an evaluation of Petty, a second-year pro, makes sense for the bigger picture, even though Fitzpatrick now gives the Jets the best chance to win – for what that is worth at this point. It is noteworthy that on the play he was injured, Gronkowski had gotten behind two Jets defensive backs, a testament to what an extraordinary weapon he is for Brady and a reminder of what the Patriots would lose if he is hobbled.

Their 22-17 victory was a clutch win against a team that plays tough whenever the Patriots are on the other side of the field. Indeed, the Jets came out with a sense of goal and tried to put Brady on the field as often as they could, knowing that a harried Brady is often an ineffective Brady. The Pats beat their division rival 22-17 thanks to a touchdown each by rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell and a game victor by Julian Edelman, both were on Revis. Fans know what they’re getting from Brady and Belichick. Fitzpatrick connected with Marshall for four catches and 53 yards in the first quarter alone. Brady, who missed two days of practice because of a knee injury, looked especially uncomfortable in the first half when he completed only 3-of-9 passes.

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski left the game late in the first quarter with a back injury. And as a former teammate, he would know and that’s why the Jets were set with the right alignment in those final minutes.

Other players had to step up on offense.

“No, no coaching change”, cornerback Buster Skrine said.

Four years after the Butt Fumble, there was the Butt Touchdown. He’ll get some more experience as time goes on.

Brady is still the straw that stirs the drink. Say what you want about the team’s performance this season, but they didn’t give up in this one. “When that time comes, I’ll make those decisions”. They have only five interceptions all season, two by the dearly departed Jamie Collins. Their last few games at MetLife dating back to the 2013 season have come down the final plays of those games, which they have both split 2-2 (NYJ win in 2013 & 2015, Patriots win 2014 & 2016).

Gronkowski had no catches when he left, with Brady unable to connect with him on two third-down throws. But Osweiler’s first shot at the end zone was knocked down, and the second one was intercepted as time expired.

True, but Enunwa continued to be one of the brightest spots of this miserable season by catching five passes (on five targets) for 109 yards, his first career 100-yard game. Brady rolled right and hit James White in the right flat for the first down. In the only loss, he grabbed 8 catches for 144 yards (in Denver). He found Mitchell, who burned Revis – hey, not every struggling high-profile Jet got it together on Sunday.

Then on the next play, Brady went over the middle to a curiously uncovered Chris Hogan for a first down at the Jets’ 8 at the two-minute warning.

No matter, the Jets still needed a touchdown. Brady finished 30-of-40 for 286 yards and became the fifth quarterback ever to surpass 60,000 passing yards with an 18-yard completion in the second quarter to Julian Edelman. No tuck rule controversy here, as the ball was knocked out of Fitzpatrick’s hand by Long and covered by Trey Flowers. I have never seen a player with the kind of flexibility he had in his arm. He gained weight. At 31, many are staying he can play safety.

It didn’t seal the game, but it practically did.

Coming into this game with a 3-7 record, the Jets could have come out flat and rolled over for the AFC East-leading Patriots.

He’s a good situational football player.

Fitzpatrick, back as the starter after missing New York’s last game with a sprained knee, was 22 of 32 for 269 yards and two TDs. As the ball reached its apex, it seemed too deep for Enunwa to haul in.

“It’s about him and what he’s been able to do for this franchise”, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. Always a good thing.