Patriots Avenge Last Year's Playoff Loss, Defeat The Jets In Foxborough

The New York Jets ended the Patriots season with a 27-21 victory at Gillette Stadium back in January of 2011.  For the Patriots and New England fans, the defeat left a very bitter taste. When the 2011 regular season schedule was released, all eyes were undoubtedly on the Oct. 9 match-up between the Jets and Patriots; Once more at home against the team that ended their 2010 season.

Fast forward to Oct. 9, 2011, the New England Patriots once again hosted their AFC East rival, the New York Jets. For the Patriots, it was a chance for some reciprocity.  For the Jets, it was a chance to right a ship that as of late, has not sailed easily so far this season.

The Patriots went to work right away on the Jets.  The defense forced a 3 and out. The offense scoring as "The Lawfirm" BenJarvus Green-Ellis, plowed into the end-zone and picked up an early Patriots lead.

The Jets went 3 and out on their next three offensive series and the Patriots, after a Stephen Gostkowski field goal, had a 10-0 lead and the momentum was all theirs.

The Jets offense finally got started late in the second quarter as Shonn Greene finished off a clock eating drive by New York and cut the Patriots lead to 10-7. 

Tom Brady, after another successful New England offensive drive, targeted Aaron Hernandez in the endzone, but Hernandez, who has been out for two weeks, couldn't pull the ball in and it deflected into the hands of the Jets' Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie then ran the ball back halfway up the field before being tackled.  

It brought the first half to a close with the Patriots up 10-7.

The second half started off very well for New England.  On the very first play of the third quarter, Brady found his favorite target, Wes Welker, who made a 73 yard catch and run play, setting up an immediate New England first and goal.

The incredible play by Welker, at first, ended up going to waste as a Brady pass to Deion Branch was fumbled and the Jets had possession of the ball. However, Bill Belichick smartly challenged the ruling of the fumble and after review, the call was overturned and the Patriots maintained possession. Instead of a complete momentum swing, it was third and goal for the Patriots.  

Brady showed no hesitation throwing to his old friend Branch, as the wide receiver beat the Jets corner to the back corner of the endzone and caught a laser from Brady.  The Patriots now had a little breathing room with a 17-7 lead and 12 minutes and change to go in the third.

The Jets, who have played in the AFC Championship game the last two years, showed great resilience as Mark Sanchez led his team down field and capped the drive with a 9 yard TD pass. The Jets had cut into the Patriots lead, now down by just a field goal, and had a world of time left on the clock.

The Patriots and Jets then played a bit of defensive posturing, with the Patriots coming out on top and Green-Ellis rushing the ball in to cap a New England drive and open up the Patriots lead to 24-14.

Early in the fourth, Stephen Gostkowski kicked his second field goal of the game to give the Patriots their largest lead of the game (13) now up 27-14 with just under 13 minutes to go in the game.

The Jets did not go quietly into the loss column as Sanchez connected with Santonio Holmes on a 21 yard touchdown pass. Gillette Stadium had suddenly grownquiet and anxious, perhaps remembering the teams collapse in the playoffs last year.

Brady and the New England offense did their best to elate those fears as he led his team, coupled with some big runs by "The Lawfirm" eating up over 6 minutes of clock. Gostkowski then kicked his third field goal of the game and the Patriots had all but locked up a victory.

Sanchez tried to lead his Jets back, but the Patriots sacked him on the very last play of the game to wrap it up and give New England a huge 30-21 victory.

The win is more important than ever for the Patriots, who at the moment are trying to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills won earlier Sunday and at (4-1) are tied for first with the Patriots who are also (4-1) on the season.  The Bills maintain a slight lead over the Patriots, having defeated the Patriots earlier this season.

Statistics and notes:

• Tom Brady finished the day 24 of 33 for 321 yards and a TD.  
• Wes Welker had another 100 yard game, catching 5 for 124 yards. Wes Welker through the first 5 games in 2011, has more receiving yards than anyone else in NFL history. With 45 catches for 740 yards and 5 TD's, Welker is on pace for a record breaking season.
• Tom Brady entered the record books for the second straight week as he tied Vinny Testaverde for 8th all time in Touchdown passes with the 275th of his career.
• Deion Branch had a big day as well, catching 7 balls for 74 yards and a touchdown.
• BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a career day rushing, finishing with 27 carries for 136 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.

The Patriots will host the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium next Sunday at 4:15 p.m.  Check back here after the game for a complete report.