We probably should have seen this one coming.
Between how the Patriots had played through the first five games of the 2017 season and the way that many recent trips to New York to face the Jets have gone, Sunday's weird 24-17 win at MetLife Stadium probably shouldn't have come as a surprise.
It was another hard-fought, at times ugly win for New England (4-2), one that pushed the Patriots back into their expected spot atop the AFC East standings.
Still, the Boston Globe *says that the Patriots win over the division rival was not satisfying. In fact, the *Globe *declares that New England was lucky to get the victory. The *Globe notes that Tom Brady didn’t really want to talk about records after his historic 187th career regular season victory. The Globe also declares that these Patriots seem to like to make things difficult.
The* Globe looks at how the Jets thought they had a touchdown before an unexpected review ruling actually turned the play into a turnover. The *Globe says that upon further review the Patriots clearly caught a break. The Globe passes along word that undrafted rookie linebacker Harvey Langi was in a car accident in Foxborough over the weekend. The Globe observes that running back Mike Gillislee spent part of his Sunday in the doghouse after a losing a fumble against the Jets. The Globe describes the atmosphere in the Patriots winning locker room after the effort in New York.
The Globe's *game story writes that it wasn’t pretty, but the Patriots got the job done. The *Globe notes that Malcolm Butler had an up-and-down day in coverage for New England.
The Boston Herald *says the Patriots win over the Jets was indeed aided by the replay decision. *Herald columnist Steve Buckley says that barely winning is the new New England norm. The Herald notes that the Jets big numbers on offense show that the Patriots defense still has a lot of work to do. The Herald *breaks down Rob Gronkowski’s big day of production in the victory. The *Herald says the Jets touchdown-turned-fumble was the turning point.
The* Providence Journal writes that after a slow start, the Patriots prevailed in New York. The *ProJo *says that winning ugly is becoming the Patriot Way. The *ProJo notes the mixed reactions to the replay review that turned the Jets touchdown into a turnover. The ProJo notes Brady’s emotional fire in another record-setting win.
ESPNBoston.com writes that another impressive performance by Dion Lewis has the veteran pushing to take over the lead back role in New England. ESPNBoston.com notes that Butler’s “great awareness” on the TD-that-wasn't was key in the victory. ESPNBoston.com observes that the win included troubling signs as well as an admirable characteristic for the Patriots. ESPNBosotn.com has the referee saying that the replay review was “pretty obvious.”
ESPN.com declares that Brady beat the Jets, the refs didn’t. ESPN.com says, flat out, the NFL owes the Jets an explanation of the replay review results.
WEEI.com says that historically the Patriots have corrected their mistakes as the year goes one, but the site wonders if this year is different. WEEI.com writes that even in the win, Brady and the offense need to be better. WEEI.com has Belichick saying the Patriots followed the rules with the late addition of Stephon Gilmore to the injury report, the cornerback missing the Jets game to a concussion. WEEI.com passes along Gronkowski talking about Brady’s sideline emotions.
NBCSports.com says that the Patriots aren’t really happy with continued “all’s well, that ends well” wins. NBCSports.com says the Jets can hate the rule but not the call that cost them the game. NBCSports.com looks at Johnson Bademosi filling in after the late Gilmore scratch. NBCSports.com says Gronkowski’s return from a one-week absence gave the Patriots an obvious shot in the arm. NBCSports.com also looks at Alan Branch’s return after being benched against the Bucs.
The New York Post says the “BS” fumble call doomed the Jets against the Patriots. The* Post *also writes that rookie stud Jets safety Jamal Adams got “Gronk’d.”
The New York Daily News says the replay review ruling “unfairly” cost the Jets.
