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Recap: Patriots 29, Jets 26 (OT)
Patriots 29, Jets 26 (OT): Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 48-yard field goal in overtime and the host Patriots denied the rival Jets with a game-ending sack and fumble recovery.
Tom Brady threw two touchdowns to Rob Gronkowski and Devin McCourty returned a kickoff 104 yards for New England (4-3), which moved into sole possession of first place in the crowded AFC East. One week after it blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Seattle, New England relinquished a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to New York.
The Patriots started on offense first in overtime and took a 29-26 lead. On the Jets’ possession, Mark Sanchez fumbled on second down after being sacked by Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich, who recovered the ball at the New York 40-yard line. The play was confirmed upon review.
The Jets (3-4), coming off a confidence-building victory over Indianapolis, took a late lead by scoring 13 straight points in a span of 4:07. Nick Folk’s fourth field goal – a 43-yarder which came after McCourty fumbled on a kickoff return – gave the Jets a 26-23 advantage with 1:42 remaining in regulation.
Brady, however, calming marched the Patriots 54 yards in six plays and Gostkowski’s 42-yard field goal as regulation time expired forced overtime. Brady finished 26-of-42 for 259 yards, while Sanchez was 28-of-41 for 328 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Jets RB Shonn Greene was shaken up on a vicious head-on collision with Brandon Spikes midway through the fourth quarter, but returned in overtime. … The Jets marched 76 yards in 11 plays on their opening drive, which was capped by Greene’s 1-yard touchdown run. But all the momentum was sapped four seconds later when McCourty returned the ensuing kickoff 104 yards. … The Patriots second-quarter safety, which came when Sanchez kicked a fumble through the end zone, was New England’s first in 102 games.
