The Patriots went into halftime up 13-3 on the New York Jets, but in truth the scoreline flattered New York. The Patriots squandered a number of scoring opportunities in the first half, and while the defense did their jobs fairly well, the offense looked like total strangers.
Tom Brady was continually disappointed by his receivers, and the drops and blown routes made him visibly frustrated several times throughout the opening half. The third quarter began with another solid defensive series - although the Patriots didn't bring much pressure in the first quarter, they eventually keyed in on Geno Smith and Chandler Jones made it into the backfield for two sacks.
After another unimpressive three-and-out, the Patriots continued their solid defensive pressure, with Tommy Kelly marauding into the backfield for a huge sack on first down with 9:35 remaining. Unfortunately, the extended playing time started to take its toll - the Jets were able to pick up a first down on a 16-yard Geno Smith scramble on the very next play, and from there the Jets rolled down the field in a methodical, five-minute drive. Smith was 3-3 for 34 yards on the drive, and Bilal Powell was able to rumble in for a score to bring the Jets within 3 with 5:05 remaining.
The Patriots would have loved to come right back with a response, but yet again the Patriots looked toothless. Brady was sacked and threw two more incompletions as the drive fizzled, and at the end of the third quarter the score was still Patriots 13, Jets 10.
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