What a performance by the New England Patriots and their defense as they pummeled the New York Jets to a pulp 33-0 improving to 7-0. The largest Patriots shutout over the Jets in the history of their rivalry.
The are also first team since the 1920 Buffalo All-Americans to have a +175 point differential through seven games in a season.
Quarterback Sam Darnold was, ‘Seeing ghosts’ and could not get comfortable all night.
It was not a flawless performance for everyone in red, white and blue. Here are your winners and losers for the AFC East matchup.
Winner: Patriots Defense
Forget the three penalties for 39 yards in the middle of the second quarter on the same drive. Because right after low and behold another turnover.
The Patriots defense is historic. Something that is not even supposed to exist in a league that is designed to benefit the wide receivers and offensive weapons of today.
Three forced turnovers in the first half and early pressure was enough to make young Sam Darnold feel like a gazelle being chased by a pride of lions.
Winner: Tom Brady
The six-time Super Bowl champion made one of the greatest throws you will ever see to Phillip Dorsett II.
Through the first half, Brady had a 104.3 quarterback rating and when given time to throw looked like the same old No.12.
Brady other than that, remained a solid field general with great calls of blitz packages showing off his strong football I.Q.
The offensive line is more so at fault for his fourth interception this season.
Winner: Jakobi Meyers
At first glance, the NC State alum does not seem like a rookie.
With no receiver depth, the Patriots had to lean on an undrafted rookie to pick up the slack at the No.3 receiver spot.
His five receptions were all quality catches with his fantastic receiver fundamentals as far him getting his hands out to make the grab rather than letting the ball come to him.
The Patriots may have struck gold with this young man,
Loser: J.C. Jackson
Hard to find, ‘Losers’ with such a stellar performance. But when it comes down to the little things. Jackson had two penalties in one drive.
Jackson also had another holding penalty in the second half bookending a performance to forget.
This is not the first time Jackson has had drives where he enters coverage slumps. He has tremendous potential and just needs to work out a few kinks.
Winner: Devin McCourty and Secondary
The Rutgers alum has five interceptions on the season and for an older safety that is just unheard of.
Not only that, McCourty was an enforcer against the running game.
You could really point to the entire secondary as a winner today with how suffocating they were to Darnold forcing four interceptions and a safety.
Push: Sony Michel
The Georgia alum had two scores in the first half but Michel went back into his slump and could not get anything going.
Known in college for his great ability in the passing game, Michel dropped an easy screen pass with blue skies and open field in front of him.
Michel found himself also on the sideline with the offense in the middle of the field in favor of James White.
Michel scored his third touchdown making it not necessarily a great rushing performance yardage wise, but some great offensive contributing overall.
His hat trick saves him from being a, ‘Loser’ today.
Loser: Offensive Line
The offensive line did not help either with porous play up front and no holes for the back.
Brady was flustered time and time again with some sloppy passes due to a crowded backfield. The pressure lead to an intentional grounding call and an interception.
Winner: Phillip Dorsett II.
Every throw to Phillip Dorsett II. is almost a guaranteed catch every time.
One play that sticks out is the catch along the sideline that to most would be uncatchable. He makes the grab and puts the hand down to shoo away any argument of a incomplete pass.
He was also the recipient of Brady’s fantastic touchdown throw which was a near equally impressive catch.
Dorsett leads all receivers in touchdowns with four and seems close to full health.
