The Jets have won three straight games, which means Sunday’s game against the Patriots is for control of first place in the AFC East.
They were almost to halftime with a lead, but a late interception by Malcolm Butler gave the Patriots one last chance to draw even. They took advantage when Tom Brady hit Brandin Cooks for 42 yards to set up a two-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski. That tied the game at 14.
Josh McCown led the Jets on a touchdown drive to open the game and then took them 78 yards in a drive that went from the first quarter to the second for another score. That drive started after linebacker Darron Lee forced and recovered a fumble by running back Mike Gillislee and it ended when McCown hit Jeremy Kerley behind Malcolm Butler for a 31-yard score.
A second Patriots turnover came when Tom Brady was picked off by Buster Skrine on a deep ball. That came a series after Skrine dropped what should have been an interception, which allowed the Patriots to continue a drive that resulted in a touchdown after safety Jamal Adams was penalized for interfering with tight end Rob Gronkowski on a throw to the end zone.
That 93-yard drive was the lone offensive highlight for the Patriots, who saw a scoring chance after the two minute warning go bust when Stephen Gostkowski missed a 43-yard field goal. They got another chance when Butler picked off McCown and gave the Patriots a chance to get even after spotting the Jets a 14-point lead.