The Jets had all the opportunities in the world to leave Foxboro Sunday atop the AFC East standings with a win. They scored 13 points in the 4th quarter after trailing 23-13. They held a 26-23 lead with 1:37 to go, but found a way to lose the game and hand the Patriots their 4th win and first place in the division.
The Jets dropped a heartbreaker to the Patriots, 29-26, in overtime Sunday. For once, the loss should not go on the shoulders of Mark Sanchez. While the game ended with Mark Sanchez fumbling the ball in overtime to finish off a heartbreaking loss, this was a team effort. After establishing the run game last week against the Colts, the ground and pound was not affective against the Patriots.
The Jets ran the ball for a combined 106 yards after running for 252 yards last week. Once again, Tim Tebow hardly saw any carries after the Jets said he would see some time at running back this week. 4 carries for 12 yards isn't going to cut it if the Jets want to win football games. They brought this guy in to help them win games and he has not been given the chance. It's one play and he's out. Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano needs to get the ball in the hands of Tebow more than four times a game. He can make plays and shake up the defense from the conservative offense with Sanchez on the field. The Jets NEED to run the football. On 3rd and 2 at the Patriots 2 yard line on the Jets first drive to start the second half, Sparano decided to throw the ball instead of running the ball after Shonn Greene was running the ball effectively the whole drive. That is a position where the Jets have got to run the ball up the middle for the score. The reason the Jets brought in Tebow was for an exact play like that. Terrible playcalling Sunday in Foxboro.
Sanchez threw the ball 41 times for 328 yards, a week after throwing the ball just 18 times for 82 yards. It was a solid performance from Sanchez, but his receivers hurt him with some pivotal drops. Stephen Hill dropped a pass that might have cost the Jets a chance at a victory Sunday. On 3rd and 4 late in the 4th quarter, Hill dropped a perfect pass from Sanchez that would have gave the Jets a first down in the redzone. The ball went off his hands and the Jets were forced to go for a field goal for the tie. Hill has struggled all season catching the ball. Chaz Schilens also had a couple of key drops that proved to be costly. Jets receivers need to hold on to the football.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Jets in a game that they had plenty of chances to win. It's a loss that completely changes the season. Instead of being 4-3 returning home to face the 3-3 Miami Dolphins, the Jets drop to 3-4 on the season. Rex Ryan will need to make sure to get this team back to running the ball effectively. Sanchez should not throw the ball 40+ times again this season. It becomes a recipe for disaster if the "Sanchise" has to carry the Jets on his back.
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