Ups & Downs: Bad Decisions, More Injuries Highlight Patriots Loss To Jets
BOSTON (CBS) -- There was a whole lot that went wrong for the New England Patriots in their 26-20 overtime loss to the Jets on Sunday, but nothing is more glaring than the start of overtime.
The Patriots called heads and won the coin toss to start the extra frame. That's nothing unusual, given the Patriots have a knack for winning coin tosses. They also have a knack for kicking off after winning those coin tosses, but that usually comes at the beginning of games -- not when a touchdown would give the opposing team a victory.
But Bill Belichick made it clear to his captains before heading out to midfield that if they won the toss, they'd would be kicking off. It's an odd decision, and one that came back to haunt New England as Ryan Fitzpatrick connected with Eric Decker for a game-winning, six-yard touchdown a few minutes later.
Wearing shorts in sub-zero temperatures or drinking milk on a warm day are bad choices. But kicking off to start overtime deserves a section of its own in the "What were they thinking!?!" wing of the Hall of Fame. At least Slater didn't tell Clete Blakeman, "We're going to kick the ball, and we're going to score!"
The Patriots wanted to kick the ball away to start overtime. That highlights the many "downs" from Sunday's loss. Here's the full breakdown:
Downs
Kicking Off To Start OT
We'll repeat this again: The Patriots wanted to kick the ball off to start overtime. Belichick likely made that decision because his defense was playing pretty well and the offense hadn't done much until the final few minutes of regulation.
But that plan that backfired in a big way, and the Patriots now have a meaningful game next Sunday because of it.
End Of 1st Half
The Pats had two timeouts and a minute left on the clock, giving them at least a chance to get into field goal range to try and cut into New York's 10-3 lead. Instead, they took a knee.
This approach is nothing new the last few weeks, and it's understandable that Belichick didn't want to take any chances with a depleted receiving corps and offensive line. But that timid approach really hurt New England when Tom Brady threw an interception at the start of the second half.
Third Down Offense
The Patriots went just 1-for-10 on third down against the Jets. Yuck.
They even tried to convert a 3rd-and-1 by employing the wildcat formation, with Brady lining up wide. That decision also failed miserably.
More Injuries
Perhaps the biggest loss of Sunday was an injury to Sebastian Vollmer, who was carted off the field in the first quarter with a left leg injury and was ruled out shortly after. This could spell big trouble, as Vollmer had taken over for the injured Nate Solder at left tackle.
To make matters worse, Vollmer's replacement, recently signed LaAdrian Waddle, left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Bad news usually comes in threes, and Sunday was no different on the injury front. Rookie corner Justin Coleman also left in the second half with a head injury, further diminishing the depth in the New England secondary.
Ups
Keshawn Martin A Bright Spot
With Rob Gronkowski blanketed for much of the afternoon, Keshawn Martin stepped up as Brady's go-to receiver with a career-high seven catches for 68 yards on 11 targets. Two of those receptions came as Brady guided a game-tying touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
It looks like the veteran QB is forming a nice level of trust with the receiver, who has 16 receptions over the last four games.
Collins Returns Fumble For Score
For the second straight week, the Patriots returned a fumble for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Jabaal Sheard stripped Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jamie Collins scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 14 yards for the score to make it a 17-13 game. It was New England's first touchdown of the day, and gave the team some hope at a comeback.
While the offense struggled mightily, the defense held their own for much of the afternoon. They struggled against New York's receiving duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker at times, but containing them is no easy task for any team without their top two safeties.
Still Hope For No. 1 Seed
The Patriots can still lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
End Of The Steelers?
Maybe, just maybe, this is alllllllll part of Bill Belichick's master plan. How else can you really explain that overtime decision?
With the Jets victorious on Sunday, mixed with a Pittsburgh loss to Baltimore (which, fittingly, happened just as the Pats and Jets were about to head to overtime), the New York can clinch the final AFC Wild Card spot with a win next Sunday over Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills.
That means the Steelers, seen as one of the hottest teams in the NFL the last few weeks, will likely be watching the postseason from home. So instead of Pittsburgh as a potential divisional round opponent for the Patriots, it could now end up the Kansas City Chiefs or, wait for it, these very Jets.
