The New England Patriots defense forced five turnovers including four interceptions, and Sony Michel rushed for three touchdowns Monday night helping the guests to a dominating 33-0 win over the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium to improve to 7-0.
Despite many predictions throughout the week of a competitive game and the best chance for the Jets to knock off the Patriots, New England silenced those critics turning this game into a laugher by starting it off with a 16 play, 78 yard drive capped off by a Sony Michel three yard touchdown run. On New Yorks second offensive play Sam Darnold was intercepted by Devin McCourty deep in Jets territory. That led to a 34 yard field goal by Mike Nugent. Later in the quarter Brady hit Phillip Dorsett for a 26 yard score to make it 17-0. A pass rush by John Simon and hit on Darnold early in the second quarter resulted in a fumble recovered by Kyle Van Noy at the Jets 38 yard line. Michel scored again from one yard out to extend the lead to 24-0. New York (1-5) then responded with a good drive deep inside opponents territory aided by two pass interference calls on New England, but another Darnold interception on a 3rd and 10 from the Patriots 19 by Duran Harmon thwarted that threat. NY again drove to the NE side of the field late in the half at the 28, but an incomplete pass by Darnold on 4th and 4 stalled that drive and the Patriots led by a 24-0 score at the break.
The third quarter began pretty much how the first half ended with more failed chances to get any points by the home team. The Jets had the opening possession driving into Patriots territory but a Darnold pass intended for Robbie Anderson was intercepted by Stephon Gilmore at his own 29. After New England couldn’t do anything with their first third quarter possession, punter Jake Bailey pinned New York in at their own three yard line. A high snap on the second play of the ensuing change of possession was batted out of the endzone by Darnold. The play went for a safety making it 26-0. After Brady was hit on a throw and was intercepted, New York got to the Patriots 11 after a pass interference call. Darnold though continued his nightmare of a game throwing his fourth interception of the game when Terrence Brooks picked him off in the endzone. New England (7-0) scored again when Michel got in for his third touchdown of the night from one yard out early in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring, and give the Patriots their eighth straight win over the Jets.
Brady finished the night 31-44 passing for 249 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The 20 year veteran is now on the verge of breaking another league record. With his 11th TD pass of the season in the first quarter, Brady tied Warren Moon for the oldest NFL quarterback (42) to throw that many in a season. Moon had 11 in 1998 for the Seattle Seahawks. Michel finished with 19 carries for 42 yards and the three touchdowns which was a career high. James White and Julian Edelman both had seven receptions for 59 and 47 yards respectively. Jonathan Jones had five tackles, while Jason McCourty, Lawrence Guy, Van Noy, and Danny Shelton all had four a piece. The New England defense allowed only a total of 154 yards and also now has 18 interceptions, the most through seven games since the 1996 Green Bay Packers (20). They also have only allowed three offensive touchdowns in the past 32 quarters of play. Overall the Patriots have outscored their opponents in the 2019 season 223-48. Darnold was 11-32 passing for 86 yards, with the four interceptions and finished with a 2.8 passer rating. Le’Veon Bell had 15 carries for 70 yards, while Demaryius Thomas had three receptions for 42 yards. Darryl Roberts led the Jets defense with eight tackles.
New England returns home next Sunday to play host to Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr. and the Cleveland Browns at 4:25 p.m.
