Belichick defends unusual decision to kick in overtime

Many Jets, and the 78,160 in attendance, were surprised Belichick chose to kick off in overtime.

Teddy Bridgewater turned in another sharp December performance, and Blair Walsh made five field goals for the Vikings. Since the National Football League adopted its current regular-season overtime rules in 2012, teams that win the toss and receive the ball first have gone on to win only 51.5 percent of the time.

It was over the edge in the Patriots’ 66-yard drive to tie it. “You have to take some chances down there”. Tom Brady gets hit way too much and the wrong matchup in their first playoff game (someone like the Jets or Chiefs) could make it a one-and-done season for the champs. Brady threw deep for the first time, connecting with Gronkowski, early in the quarter. The Patriots answered with a field goal making it 17-6.

Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY SportsPatriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins returning a recovered fumble for a touchdown during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium.

With the defense playing as well as it is now playing-the Jets haven’t allowed more than 20 points in a game since Week 11, before Thanksgiving-the offense only needs to manage the game. The Patriots chose to kick off because he wanted to kick off.

New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker catches the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime in front of New England’s Malcolm Butler Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. A touchdown and you win the game. They are coming together at the right time. Marshall made up for his drop in week seven and then some. It was also a close choice for play of the game, but it has to be Decker’s game victor in overtime. New England never touched the ball in their 26-20 OT loss to the Jets, and while the outcome wasn’t by design, the strategy was.

The Jets will qualify for the playoffs if they beat the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. It’s safe to say that Rex Ryan would love nothing more than to keep his former team out of the playoffs. If the Jets win, they are in regardless of the circumstances. Obviously, the ideal scenario is to win the final match up and carry that momentum into the playoffs.

The Jets’ workhorse, Chris Ivory, was once again not 100% during this game. That’s no easy task with Rex Ryan wanting nothing more than to knock off the team that fired him, but few had the Jets (10-5) as a playoff contender this season. He challenges logic. He leaves you scratching your head as he glowers from beneath his headset. Brandon Marshall brought it down to the six with a brilliant catch for 20 yards. His third touchdown pass now ties him with Vinny Testaverde for a Jets team record of 29 TD passes in a season. That means they’ll run their two-minute offense at the end of the first half to pick up points, then try to start strong with a score to begin the second half in order to continue to build their momentum.

During the fourth quarter Kenbrell Thompkins was injured while trying to set a block for running back Bilal Powell.

In the locker room, Brady quickly dressed in a gray suit. The extent of Thompkins’ injury hasn’t been determined yet.

Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer is in the final stage of the concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars if he is cleared in time, coach Bill O’Brien said Monday. They were on a three-game winning streak, playing their best football of the season and favored by double-digits.