The Jets (2-8) fell to the Patriots (9-2), 27-14, at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. Here are three takeaways from the game.
Jets Continue to Find Success on the Ground
The ground game has been the Jets' offensive strength this season, and that continued Thursday night. The Patriots entered the contest with the No. 1 run defense in the league, allowing just 79.2 rush yards per game. The Green & White recorded 140 rushing yards, the most surrendered by New England this season, and RB Breece Hall became just the second RB to surpass 50 yards on the ground against the unit.
The Green & White established the run early -- all but 3 plays of the opening scoring drive were runs.
"It was smooth sailing," Hall said. "Went down, got everything we wanted. Four third-down conversions, put the ball in the end zone. That's what a good offense looks like."
QB Justin Fields contributed a team-leading 67 rushing yards, his second-highest mark this season, including a 5-yard TD on the opening drive. HC Aaron Glenn said it will be important to remain calculated when it comes to Fields running, but his rushing ability was a weapon Thursday.
"If you have a quarterback that can run, sometimes he's going to have to keep the ball if that's what the defense is allowing him to do," Hall said.
'There Are Some Plays Out There Our Guys Have Got to Make'
The Jets hung around with the Patriots through three quarters, but the offense struggled to sustain a rhythm following the opening drive. After converting all four third-down attempts on the opening possession, the unit only converted four more third downs the rest of the game -- finishing 8 of 14.
"It was really just on us not making plays," RB Breece Hall said. "I felt like Justin Fields played his tail off today, we've just got to do a better job of making plays for him. Not every ball is going to be perfect, and not every situation is going to be ideal. But as a skill group, we've got to do a better job of making it easier for our O-line and quarterback."
WR Adonai Mitchell, who made his Jets' debut Thursday night, was targeted 6 times in the loss. His only reception was during the opening drive for a 10-yard gain. Fields threw a deep pass to Mitchell on third down in the second quarter, but he was unable to haul in the pass to keep the drive alive.
"It was definitely a situation, if I could get it back -- I'd think more," Mitchell said. "I would go up and attack the ball instead of letting it come down. I misjudged the ball, and at the end of the day, I have to be better on that. It was a great pass, so should have been explosive for the Jets."
HC Aaron Glenn added of missed opportunities: "There are some things Justin is going to say, 'I could have done better, I could have made some plays.' Then again, there are some plays out there our guys have got to make for him also. … We're all accountable for that."
Defense Makes Stops, but Still Searching for Takeaways
The Jets' defense was stout against the run Thursday, surrendering just 65 rushing yards. Though the unit struggled at times to contain QB Drake Maye, who threw for 281 yards and 1 TD, the team made some stops in key moments.
The Jets forced a three-and-out to open the second half, and the unit halted two other short drives before QB Drake Maye & Co. could get into a rhythm. CB Brandon Stephens knocked the ball out of the hands of WR Mack Hollins on a deep ball from Maye in the fourth quarter to force a punt and keep the game within reach.
"Those were some good positives," edge Will McDonald IV said of getting stops. "That was the only [positive], so we've got to get more than that on the defensive side to get the ball back to our offense."
The unit, however, gave up several explosive plays, sacked Maye once and did not generate any turnovers. The Jets have only recorded one takeaway this season -- in Week 6 against the Broncos.
"That is what we have to focus on," LB Quincy Williams said. "That was our message after, and that was out message during the third quarter -- is defensive takeaways and practicing it. It's not good enough. I am going to be honest with you, having our mindset now on takeaways is going to be the way we win."
