The Patriots had a chance to put the Jets away in the first half. Key word: had.
Now, the home team may have let Rex Ryan and company hang around a bit too long.
The Jets have narrowed a 10-point gap to three on a nine-play, 58-yard drive that began after the Pats punted from deep in their own end. Though the effort started with another sack of rookie quarterback Geno Smith, he responded with a 16-yard scramble, a 14-yard sideline tightrope strike to Santonio Holmes, and a couple of short passes. Running back Bilal Powell took the ball in from the three for the score.
The Jets currently hold the edge in yardage and time of possession, and if the Patriots can’t sustain more drives and score more points, Geno and the Jets could end up winning in five days as many games as most thought they’d win all year.