The New England Patriots (7-9) defeated the New York Jets (2-14) in the final game of an underwhelming season for both sides. Cam Newton wasn’t the successor to Tom Brady that most Patriots fans were hoping for, and Sam Darnold disappointed once again this year for the Jets. Despite it being an ugly year for New England, they continued their recent streak of dominance over New York, ending the 2020 campaign on a high note.
First Half
New England came out hot, marching 84 yards down the field on the opening drive of the game to break the ice. Cam Newton’s 49-yard run — which was the longest run by a quarterback in Patriots history — set up a seven-yard touchdown catch for James White.
The Jets and Patriots traded punts over the next few possessions, as sophomore standout Chase Winovich made his presence felt, sacking Sam Darnold twice in New York’s first three drives.
Darnold and the Jets finally put points on the board late in the second quarter, capping off an 80-yard drive with a Chris Herndon touchdown. Both teams came up empty on their ensuing possessions and the score remained 7-7 entering halftime.
New England Seals the Deal
The Jets started strong in the second half, as Darnold found Breshad Perriman for a 53-yard gain that set up Josh Adams for a one-yard rushing touchdown, stretching New York’s lead to 14-7.
The Patriots matched the Jets’ initial second-half drive with a touchdown of their own, finding the end zone through a bit of trickery. Jakobi Meyers received the ball on an end-around and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Newton, tying the game once again.
J.C. Jackson picked off Darnold on the subsequent Jets’ possession, which the Patriots turned into points on the other end. Newton found rookie Devin Asiasi on a 26-yard strike for the tight end’s first career touchdown.
New England stopped New York once again, scoring their third-straight touchdown on the ensuing drive as Newton found Sony Michel on a swing pass that Michel took 31 yards to the end zone.
The Patriots picked off Darnold once more in the fourth quarter, thwarting New York’s effort to make it a one-possession game. New England was able to run out the clock on offense, sealing the 28-14 victory.
Newton was impressive in what will likely be his final game as a Patriot, racking up 321 total yards and four touchdowns. The 2015 MVP will enter free agency on a high note, looking for his next opportunity while New England searches for their next franchise quarterback.
Highlights
.@SweetFeet_White for 6
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/vAVf6vdNyh
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 3, 2021
Putting it where @Chris_Authentic can go get it.
📺 #NYJvsNE on CBS pic.twitter.com/5QutkW6xx9
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 3, 2021
First Patriots QB to catch a TD pass in team history.⁰⁰@CameronNewton | #GoPats
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lJwoSjM7KT
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 3, 2021
.@CameronNewton to @ASI2X for the lead.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/8NiiLX4XVt
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 3, 2021
This will certainly be a forgettable season for both the Jets and Patriots. New England misses out on the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, and thanks to an unexpected late-season winning streak, the Jets will miss out on Trevor Lawrence. Both sides will enter the offseason eager to rebuild and move on to next year.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
