IT TAKES TWO: Gift call gives Jets second chance at beating Patriots in overtime

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Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News

Geno Smith throws a costly pick Sunday, but makes up for it with two TDs.

JETS 30, PATRIOTS 27 (OT)

Geno Smith was good enough, the defense came up with some big plays, but perhaps the player of the game for the Jets was Patriots DT Chris Jones, who committed a key penalty in overtime to give the Jets a second chance. Nick Folk had missed a 56-yarder, but Jones was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving Folk another shot. Several plays later, Folk was on the field again, kicking a 42-yarder, fulfilling Ryan’s favorite headline: Folk hero.

The win moves the Jets to 4-3, with a big divisional win against the Patriots, who had beaten Gang Green in the team’s previous five matchups.

Smith finished 17-33 with a touchdown, interception and a rushing touchdown in the big comeback win for Gang Green. The win moves the Jets back into the playoff conversation, just one game back of the 5-2 Patriots.

Calvin Pace and the Jets defense sacks Tom Brady in the second quarter.

Simmons, Howard/New York Daily News

Calvin Pace and the Jets defense sacks Tom Brady in the second quarter.

The Jets took an early lead thanks to Jeremy Kerley’s ability to convert third downs. The third-year receiver caught three third-down passes from Smith on the team’s opening drive, including a 12-yard touchdown 5:17 into the game.

Rob Gronkowski didn’t wait long to make an impact. The Patriots tight end, making his season debut, made two receptions for 42 yards on New England’s opening drive, including a ball that brought him down to the 1-yard line. Brandon Bolden converted shortly thereafter, tying the game at 7-7 with 5:58 left in the first quarter.

Smith spoke all week about limiting the mistakes against a Patriots team that wouldn’t offer him many chances to make them up. Nonetheless the rookie quarterback didn’t make it out of the first quarter without making an error. With 1:32 left in the game, Smith threw an ill-advised pass to David Nelson, who had been completely jammed at the line by Logan Ryan. Ryan jumped in front of Nelson, picked off Smith, and ran 79 yards for a touchdown to put the Patriots up 14-7.

Though the Jets entered the day ranked second in the league against the run, they allowed their second rushing touchdown of the game in the second quarter. Stevan Ridley scored on a 17-yard run with 5:15 remaining in the half, giving the Patriots a 21-10 lead, a score that held until halftime.

Patriots safety Logan Ryan returns a Geno Smith interception 79 yards for a score.

Simmons, Howard/New York Daily News

Patriots safety Logan Ryan returns a Geno Smith interception 79 yards for a score.

Early in the third quarter, the tide began to turn. Antonio Allen, who had previously knocked away two passes intended for Gronkowski, picked one off and returned it for a touchdown to reduce the deficit to 21-17. It was the Jets first pick of Brady in his last 182 pass attempts.

Later in the third, Smith found another weapon to beat the Patriots defense with: his legs. First, Smith converted on a 3rd and 14 by running the football, then only topping it by eluding a pass rush and breaking a tackle on an 8-yard touchdown run.

The Jets were up 27-24 late in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t seal the deal. They handed the ball back to Brady with 2:10 left in the game. Brady couldn’t duplicate the game-winning drive he had against Rob Ryan the week before, but he did set up Stephen Gostkowski to kick a 44-yard field goal to tie the game at 27, sending the game to overtime.

Brady couldn’t get a drive going, and the Jets were able to respond with the game-winning field goal drive.


Daily News – Sports

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