Dec

16

Ground Game & INT. Clinches Home Field For Pats Beat Jets 20-10

Posted by Jeff Sack under NFL, New England Patriots, New York Jets 

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The New England Patriots discovered Sunday because of adverse weather conditions that they do possess a quality running back, Laurence Maroney. Maroney scored the only touchdown by the New England offense Sunday as he carried the ball 26 times for 104 yards, including the TD, and the Patriots are now 14-0 as they defeated the New York Jets in a sloppy, muddy, wet game 20-10. With the win New England has now clinched home field advantage throughout out the playoffs.

This was a good game to watch from the comfort of your living room as field conditions in Foxborough were nasty. Whipping rain, cold grey air that just seeped into your bones and a wind at about 20 MPH made it tough for either team to establish any sort of aerial attack. As for the fans, they were either fortified by some liquid anti-freeze AKA adult beverages, or true diehards!

As you can probably guess by the score this was a game that was dominated by the defensive teams. Jets QB Kellen Clemens on just his second play of the game was hurled to the ground by top defensive lineman Richard Seymour. Clemens threw an errant pass that was intercepted by New England free safety Eugene Wilson who ran it in for the touchdown at the 9:33 mark of the first quarter. Clemens was hurt on the play and was replaced by Chad Pennington.  After the point after by Steven Gostkowski New England led 7-0, that would be all the scoring for the rest of the quarter. Gostkowski got the Patriots back on the board at the 12:45 mark of the second quarter as he kicked a 26 yard field goal making the score New England 10 New York 0.

However the Pats had a miscue, of their own a little later in the quarter as punter Chris Hanson could not handle the snap Jets defensive end David Bowens blocked the punt attempt, and he recovered the ball running 34 yards for a touchdown after the P.A.T. It was Patriots 10 Jets 7. New England scored their only offensive touchdown of the game as running back Laurence Maroney ran the ball into the endzone for a 1 yard TD with 1:05 remaining in the half. Going into the locker rooms it was New England 17 New York 7.

The score would remain that way until the fourth quarter, as Jets kicker Mike Nugent, and Pats kicker Steve Gostkowski traded field goals. The Jets had one more chance late in the fourth quarter, as Chad Pennington hit Justin McCareins in what appeared to be a game tying 7 yard touchdown with 2:32 left in regulation. But after a challenge by the Pats, McCareins was ruled not to have both feet in bounds when he made the catch. New England held on for a 20-10 victory. Not a stellar day for either of the quarterbacks as the elements played a major factor in the contest. Tom Brady had by far his weakest game of the year going 14/27 for 140 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. Pennington 25/38 for 186 yards no touchdowns or picks. New England will look to keep their unbeaten season alive next week as they host the Miami Dolphins, who got their first win of the season on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens 22-16.

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