It was ugly for 42 minutes, but the New England Patriots were able to pull away and pull off the victory 27-13 against the rival New York Jets to improve to 8-3 on the season.
Tied at 13, the Patriots finally opened up on offense with a big completion to Chris Hogan and a big gain by running back James White to set up the team in the red zone. With the help of tight end Rob Gronkowski diverting coverage, quarterback Tom Brady found Julian Edelman for a catch and run to the house to make the score 20-13.
After a pass interference call going against White for setting a pick play on a pass intended for Julian Edelman, quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass and found Rob Gronkowski in double coverage for the touchdown. This broke a six-game touchdown drought for Gronkowski.
GRONK! GRONK! GRONK!
📺: CBS #GoPats https://t.co/0BPglGHuJc
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2018
Through almost halfway through the second quarter the Patriots already surrendered 70 penalty yards, the most on the season for the team.
After a Gostkowski field goal to make the score 10-7, McCown completed a big pass to wide receiver Quincy Enunwa getting them across midfield. But the drive was shortlived as McCown went for the end zone after being hit by John Simon which landed right into the hands of Stephon Gilmore for his second interception of the season.
Sony Michel put the game out of reach on his second attempt at the goal line to score his fifth touchdown of the season.
The Jets were, however, able to get a drive going getting kicker Jason Myers into range to tie up the game going into halftime.
The Patriots, with the help of their running game, put the nail in the coffin with a huge run by White to put the Patriots over 200 combined yards between White, Michel and Cordarrelle Patterson, the first time the Patriots rushed for 200 yards since Jonas Gray did it himself with 201 in 2014.
Offense
Sony Michel: The Georgia alum is back at full strength after suffering a knee injury and it showed with the rookie’s best game of the season.
Rob Gronkowski: Welcome back Rob Gronkowski. One of the game’s best tight ends claimed that there were no limitations, caught two passes for 49 yards and a score in the first half.
Julian Edelman: Edelman is finally hitting his stride as one of Brady’s most reliable targets after scoring his third touchdown on the season.
Defense
Stephon Gilmore: Gilmore, barring a few blown coverages, was back to form which included his second interception on the season in the end zone covering Russell Anderson.
The Pass Rush: Going into the game with 15 sacks, the Patriots desperately needed some help from a pass rush that has been borderline invisible. The Patriot trenches woke up beating the Jets offensive line getting to quarterback Josh McCown regularly with sacks from Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise Jr.
