Mitchell, Long Lead Pats To 5-Point Divisional Win
It wasn't as pretty as many expected it to be, but by the time double zeros lit up the scoreboard at MetLife Stadium the New England Patriots had defeated the New York Jets, 22-17, Sunday afternoon.
Here are some key thoughts from the game:
Another Weapon- When all of their top options are available, the New England offense is chalk full of dynamic weapons to be used in whatever way quarterback Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels see fit. Well, the Patriots have seemingly unearthed another legitimate offensive weapon over the past two weeks, as rookie wide out Malcolm Mitchell has risen to the occasion in back-to-back games. With the Patriots playing short-handed on offense last week in San Francisco, the rookie fourth round pick stepped up and caught four passes for 98 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception. Not to outdo himself, the Georgia product rose to the occasion once again, Sunday, as he caught five passes for 42 yards and two scores, including what ended up being the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. In two games, Mitchell has bested what he had done in his first six appearances and, at a time when some of the team's top options have been slowed by injuries, the youngster has stepped up and become a trusted target that Brady has looked to, to completed plays and capitalize on opportunities.
Winning The Battle- One of the main reasons why the Patriots were able to come from behind and win the ball game is the fact that, for the first time in a while, they won the turnover battle. The New England defense was able to create to turnovers on the day, while their offensive teammates did a good job of holding onto the ball when they were on the field. Not only did the Pats create turnovers, which they hadn't been doing a lot of lately, but they were also able to capitalize on them. New England's first takeaway came on a nice, heads up play by cornerback Malcolm Butler, who stripped wide out Robby Anderson of the football after a 25-yard reception in the second quarter. The scrappy play by Butler gave the New England offense the ball at midfield and from there the Patriots moved 50 yards down the field for a game-tying touchdown. The second turnover caused by New England locked up the Patriot victory, as Trey Flowers fell on the football that was knocked loose from Ryan Fitzpatrick's grip by Chris Long.
Moving In The Right Direction- Patriots Nation had somewhat been dreading a scenario in which the defense would have to help a somewhat struggling offense secure a win by making a couple of big plays, but Sunday's game saw the New England defense do just that. With the Patriot offense playing below average all day, they needed a couple of defensive stop late to help them take and hold the lead. New England's final two defensive series did just that. First, the defense forced the Jets to punt the ball back to Brady and company with a 1-point lead and just over five minutes remaining, after just four plays. After the Patriots scored to go up by five with just under two minute remaining the defense produced their second takeaway of the day and sealed the victory. All in all, the New England defense forced three punts, allowed one touchdown and forced a fumble over their five second half series.
All in all the win was a gutsy one for a team that was in a hostile environment on the road at a division rival and with a sputtering offense. Of course, things didn't go as smoothly as hoped for New England, but at the end of the day the win is one that the Pats could use as a good launching point for the rest of the season. Both defensively and offensively, the Pats did things Sunday that they hadn't really done all season and getting late stops on defense and big plays from rookies on offense can only help this team's confidence as they get ready for the final stretch of the regular season and a postseason run. At the end of the day, the Pats are 9-2 and in prime position to sit atop the AFC in the playoffs.