New England Patriots vs New York Jets Match Player Stats On Dec 27, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Dec 27, 2015

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker 2:37 into overtime Sunday gave the New York Jets a dramatic -- and potentially controversial -- 26-20 win over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.

The Patriots overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to force overtime on quarterback Tom Brady's 9-yard touchdown pass to running back James White with 1:55 left.

Patriots wide receiver and special teams captain Matthew Slater apparently elected to kick off after New England won the coin toss, though he appeared to be arguing with officials as the teams left the field. Patriots coach Bill Belichick claimed in his postgame remarks that he intended to kick off and had "no regrets" about the decision.

A 48-yard pass to wide receiver Quincy Enunwa -- who dropped a potential touchdown pass in the final minute of regulation -- set up the winning score for the Jets, who now control their own destiny in the race for an AFC wild-card spot by virtue of the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss on Sunday. The Jets (10-5) will reach the playoffs if they beat the Buffalo Bills next week.

Fitzpatrick was 26 of 41 for 296 yards and three touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Fitzpatrick was 3-for-3 for 74 yards on the game-winning touchdown drive in overtime.

Quarterback Tom Brady was 22 of 31 for 231 yards and one touchdown -- a 9-yard pass to running back James White with 1:55 left in regulation -- and one interception for the Patriots (12-3), who have lost three of five. Brady was 1-for-10 on third down in the game.

The Jets led 10-3 at the end of a first half in which they held the ball for 16:44, including for 13:07 on their two scoring drives.

A 30-yard field goal by kicker Randy Bullock gave the Jets a 3-0 lead with 3:19 left in the first quarter. Stephen Gostkowski's 35-yard field goal tied the score with 8:46 left in the half, but the Jets drove 80 yards in 13 plays on the next series, which ended with Fitzpatrick's 3-yard touchdown to Marshall.

The Patriots gained 40 yards on their first three plays of the second half before Revis stepped in front of Rob Gronkowski and picked off Brady at the Jets' 21-yard-line. Six plays later, Marshall adjusted to an underthrown ball in the end zone, shed safety Duron Harmon and caught a 33-yard touchdown.

Gostkowski booted his second field goal, a 44-yarder, on the Patriots' next possession. New England finally got into the end zone with 3:31 left in the third, when defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard hit Fitzpatrick as he was throwing and Jamie Collins picked up the loose ball and rumbled into the end zone.

Bullock's 49-yard field goal with 13:28 left in the fourth extended the Jets' lead back to seven points.

NOTES: Patriots LT Sebastian Vollmer was carted off with a leg injury during New England's first series and almost immediately declared out for the game. His replacement, LaAdrian Waddle (shoulder) also left the game. ... RB Steven Jackson made his Patriots debut with a 5-yard gain in the second quarter. He had seven carries for 15 yards. Jackson, who recorded eight straight 1,000-yard seasons with the St. Louis Rams from 2005-2012, was signed Monday. ... Among the Jets' inactives was CB Dee Milliner, who was out with a hamstring injury. He has played in just 21 out of a possible 47 games since being selected in the first round of the 2013 draft. ... Jets WR Brandon Marshall's first catch of the day, was his team-record 94th of the season, breaking Al Toon's mark set in 1988.