Jets thoroughly dominated in AFC East clash with rival Patriots
It's not often a team loses by less than two touchdowns after being outgained by nearly 500 yards but the New York Jets managed to pull it off on Sunday, losing to New England 33-21 despite gaining just 119 yards compared to New England's 559.
The Jets were aided by four takeaways, including a pick-six from a Mac Jones pass that was returned 78 yards for a touchdown. The two interceptions from Jones were one of the few times that the Jets defense was able to stop New England's passing attack as Jones completed 73 percent of his passes for 296 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt.
New England also had no problem running the problem with Damien Harris gashing them for a 63-yard touchdown early in the first quarter and finished the game with 148 yards rushing. Rhamondre Stevenson and Kenny McIntosh also rushed for 51 and 40 yards respectively while Kenneth Walker III added 25 more yards on the ground.
Zach Wilson had a pick six of his own in the first quarter which helped New England get out to their early lead. He finished the day with just twelve completions and was sacked twice for a safety.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[NYJ] C. Godwin 34 Yd pass from Z. Wilson (12:02)
[NE] D. Harris, 63 Yd run (10:30)
[NE] J. Tucker, 26 Yd FG (2:51)
[NE] T. Marshall, returned interception 21 Yds (2:42)
Quarter 2
[NE] J. Tucker, 24 Yd FG (13:44)
[NE] J. Tucker, 37 Yd FG (4:14)
[NYJ] C. Godwin 26 Yd pass from Z. Wilson (1:31)
[NE] Team Safety (1:00)
[NE] J. Tucker, 32 Yd FG (0:04)
Quarter 3
[NYJ] M. Maye, returned interception 78 Yds (11:11)
[NE] J. Tucker, 22 Yd FG (2:15)
[NE] Team Safety (2:06)
Washington scores GW in overtime against Titans for Patriots
When a play needed to be made, Ryan Tannehill narrowly missed a wide open Jake Smith for a long touchdown pass that likely would have ended the game. Instead, Tennessee settled for a field goal to force overtime where Mac Jones, presented with the same opportunity, found his tight end Darnell Washington for the 56-yard game winning touchdown in the 36-30 win for New England over the Titans on Sunday.
Jones threw for four touchdowns, including a 50-yard bomb to Charleston Rambo to make it a two-point game following the missed conversion with 8:21 left in the game.
Derrick Henry ripped a 23-yard run to put the ball back in New England territory on the next drive but three straight completions, including one to a wide open Colby Parkinson in the endzone, would force Tennessee to settle for a field goal.
The Titans defense held up, forcing a three and out that the offense was unable to capitalize on, going on a three-and-out of their own to give New England the ball back with 3:44 left in the game and the chance to take the lead. New England relied on its running game, led by Kenneth Walker III and Kenny McIntosh who had a 25-yard gain to not only get the ball near the endzone but also drain the clock a bit, scoring with 1:43 left in the game on a six-yard touchdown to Odell Beckham Jr.
Jones went back to Beckham Jr. for the two-point conversion to extend their lead to three.
Tennessee's final drive started promising with a 24-yard pick up to David Bell on the completion but after an incomplete pass and a Henry run, Tannehill's miss to Smith would prove to be costly as New England had no problem moving the ball once in overtime. Jones completed passes of ten and seven yards to Beckham Jr. and Washington before going up top to the big tight end for the game winner to keep them in the chase for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[TEN] D. Bell 33 Yd pass from R. Tannehill (5:42)
Quarter 2
[TEN] T. Bass, 20 Yd FG (14:13)
[NE] J. Tucker, 23 Yd FG (12:13)
[NE] D. Parker 4 Yd pass from M. Jones (4:32)
[TEN] D. Henry, 69 Yd run (3:44)
Quarter 3
[NE] J. Tucker, 38 Yd FG (12:56)
[NE] J. Tucker, 20 Yd FG (3:07)
Quarter 4
[TEN] D. Bell 27 Yd pass from R. Tannehill (11:36)
[NE] C. Rambo 50 Yd pass from M. Jones -- 2pt failed (8:21)
[TEN] T. Bass, 48 Yd FG (6:04)
[NE] O. Beckham Jr. 6 Yd pass from M. Jones -- 2pt (1:39)
[TEN] T. Bass, 56 Yd FG (0:25)
Overtime
[NE] D. Washington 56 Yd pass from M. Jones (7:56)
---------------------------------------------------------------- New England Patriots
QB Mac Jones: 24 of 34, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns, interception, sacked 0 times.
HB Damien Harris: 24 carries, 124 yards.
HB Kenneth Walker III: 8 carries, 39 yards.
HB Kenny McIntosh: 5 carries, 41 yards, 4 receptions, 33 yards.
HB Rhamondre Stevenson: 4 carries, 20 yards.
TE Darnell Washington: 8 receptions, 117 yards, touchdown.
WR Odell Beckham Jr: 5 receptions, 76 yards, touchdown.
WR Charleston Rambo: 4 receptions, 112 yards, touchdown.
LT Wynn: 71.4 PFF grade | LG Onwenu: 100 PFF grade | C Alexander: 85.2 PFF grade | RG Tomlinson: 100 PFF grade | RT Brown: 100 PFF grade
CB J.C. Jackson: 8 tackles, tackle for loss (90.1 PFF grade)
S Malachi Moore: 8 tackles, tackle for loss (67.7 PFF grade)
IDL Christian Barmore: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack (84.7 PFF grade)
ILB Trez Marshall: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (97.3 PFF grade)
CB Jaire Alexander: 3 tackles (54.9 PFF grade)
Tennessee Titans
QB Ryan Tannehill: 17 of 28, 268 yards, 2 touchdowns, sacked 4 times.
HB Derrick Henry: 25 carries, 177 yards, touchdown, fumble (recovered).
HB Tyler Goodson: 4 carries, 19 yards, 4 receptions, 45 yards.
WR David Bell: 5 receptions, 113 yards, 2 touchdowns.
WR A.J. Brown: 4 receptions, 74 yards.
LB Jayon Brown: 12 tackles, tackle for loss.
S Kevin Byard: 12 tackles, tackle for loss, interception.
S Donovan Wilson: 10 tackles, tackle for loss.
LB Rashaan Evans: 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss.
It doesn't get any easier for struggling Patriots cornerback Jaire Alexander this week with Minnesota, Justin Jefferson
New England Patriots cornerback Jaire Alexander is one of the NFL's premier defensive players and one of the highest paid at his position. He'll likely match up with a former NFC North foe in Justin Jefferson this week when the Minnesota Vikings come into town.
"You always want the opportunity to go [1 on 1] with a guy like [Jefferson]," said Alexander this week despite his struggles in recent games.
Alexander has surrendered at least one touchdown in each of New England's last three games, averaging a 49.9 PFF grade in that same time span. Prior to that, Alexander had put together his best performance as the season according to Pro Football Focus, fielding a 96.1 grade in the 21-3 win over the New York Jets. Zach Wilson threw for 185 yards in that game and Alexander, who primarily guarded Chris Godwin, did not surrender a single catch.
After a tough performance against Buffalo that saw him surrender two touchdowns, including being beat by running back Devin Singletary for a jump ball in the endzone, Godwin would get the better of Alexander in their second matchup. Godwin would finish the game catching three passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns, all on Alexander who finished with a PFF grade of 40.5, his lowest of the season.
The Titans continued to pick at Alexander who drew the match up with David Bell, allowing five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Bell scored another touchdown on a play that appeared to be a coverage bust. While PFF did not 'credit' that touchdown allowance to Alexander, he was the closest defender to him.
It'll be interesting to see if Alexander draws the assignment on Jefferson as the All-Pro receiver had his way with J.C. Jackson in their last matchup, ending the game with over 170 yards receiving. New England is keen on getting Alexander rolling again as they'll likely have to face a combination of Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen if they want to make it to the Super Bowl.
Alexander and the rest of the starters are expected to play the entire game as the number one seed and a bye is in place for New England with a win and a Kansas City lost on Sunday night.
Individual milestones wise, Charleston Rambo needs just 13 receiving yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his three-year career. Deatrich Wise Jr. (7.5) and rookie Micah Webb (7) also have an outside chance at joining the ten sack club which Wise Jr. joined in 2022 with 11.5 sacks.
Young intercepted five times in 441-yard performance against Patriots in loss
Bryce Young was an elite recruit coming out of high school and if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, might have been Alabama's starting quarterback in 2020 when the Crimson Tide won the national championship.
Instead, it was the veteran Mac Jones and on Sunday, in the season finale, it was Jones who got the better of their matchup despite throwing for 258 less yards than Young in New England 36-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Young also threw five interceptions, three of them landing in Jaire Alexander's bread basket which he returned one for a touchdown. J.C. Jackson also returned one for a touchdown and Roger McCreary, an Auburn alum, also intercepted Young.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for New England who was down two starting offensive tackles -- Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown -- three plays into the game. New England shifted its entire line, moving Michael Onwenu from left guard to right tackle and center Eric Alexander to Onwenu's spot at left guard. Rookie Tyler Patterson finished the game at left tackle and Robert Hainsey was inserted at center to the tune of 208 yards rushing and Jones was never sacked.
Damien Harris rushed for 143 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to begin the rout.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[MIN] J. Jefferson 53 Yd pass from B. Young (14:06)
[NE] K. McIntosh, 8 Yd run -- missed kick (8:12)
Quarter 2
[MIN] D. Cook 16 Yd pass from B. Young (10:12)
[NE] D. Harris, 65 Yd run (9:58)
[NE] J. Jackson, returned interception 41 Yds (8:27)
[NE] J. Tucker, 54 Yd FG (4:22)
[NE] C. Rambo 14 Yd pass from M. Jones -- missed kick (0:35)
Quarter 3
[NE] J. Alexander, returned interception 29 Yds (3:48)
Quarter 4
---------------------------------------------------------------- New England Patriots
QB Mac Jones: 16 of 20, 183 yards, touchdown.
HB Damien Harris: 18 carries, 143 yards, touchdown.
HB Kenneth Walker III: 9 carries, 20 yards.
HB Rhamondre Stevenson: 8 carries, 29 yards.
HB Kenny McIntosh: 4 carries, 14 yards, touchdown, 2 receptions, 36 yards.
WR Charleston Rambo: 3 receptions, 40 yards, touchdown.
WR DeVante Parker: 3 receptions, 38 yards.
WR Parris Campbell: 2 receptions, 29 yards.
LT Patterson: 100 PFF grade | LG Alexander: 95.0 PFF grade | C Hainsey: 75.0 PFF grade | RG Tomlinson: 100 PFF grade | RT Onwenu: 73.3 PFF grade
LT Isaiah Wynn: Left game with injury.
RT Trent Brown: Left game with injury.
S Malachi Moore: 12 tackles (55.3 PFF grade)
CB J.C. Jackson: 10 tackles, tackle for loss, interception, touchdown (74.5 PFF grade)
CB Roger McCreary: 5 tackles, interception (87.8 PFF grade)
LB Trez Marshall: 5 tackles, tackle for loss (70.8 PFF grade)
IDL Quinnen Williams: 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack (100 PFF grade)
EDGE Micah Webb: 3 tackles, tackle for loss, sack (79.3 PFF grade)
IDL Christian Barmore: 1 tackle, tackle for loss, sack (75.3 PFF grade)
EDGE Von Miller: 1 tackle, tackle for loss, sack (80.0 PFF grade)
IDL Akiem Hicks: 1 tackle, tackle for loss, sack (72.3 PFF grade)
CB Jaire Alexander: 3 interceptions, touchdown (97.9 PFF grade)
Minnesota Vikings
QB Bryce Young: 36 of 53, 441 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, sacked 5 times.
HB Dalvin Cook: 13 carries, 36 yards, 14 receptions, 103 yards, touchdown.
TE Irv Smith Jr: 11 receptions, 124 yards.
WR Adam Thielen: 8 receptions, 142 yards.
WR Justin Jefferson: 2 receptions, 72 yards, touchdown.
LB Josey Jewell: 10 tackles, tackle for loss.
S Harrison Smith: 8 tackles.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: 7 tackles, tackle for loss.
Week 18 NFL Results
JAX 24 - BUF 10 | TEN 30 - GB 24 | MIA 13 - NYJ 6 | DEN 27 - IND 21
BAL 27 - CIN 17 | NE 36 - MIN 14 | CHI 20 - HOU 10 | PIT 38 - DAL 28
LV 31 - TB 28 | WAS 24 - CAR 21 | ARI 28 - DET 21 | CLE 21 - LAC 14
NYG 17 - PHI 14 | ATL 24 - NO 17 | LAR 24 - SEA 14 | SF 35 - KC 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFL Standings AFC North
1. Cleveland, 11-6 y
2. Baltimore, 10-7 x
3. Pittsburgh, 10-7 x
4. Cincinnati, 7-10
AFC South
1. Houston, 11-6 y
2. Jacksonville, 10-7 x
3. Tennessee, 8-9
4. Indianapolis, 7-10
AFC East
1. New England, 13-4 y
2. Buffalo, 9-8
3. Miami, 6-11
4. NY Jets, 5-12
AFC West
1. Kansas City, 13-4 z
2. Las Vegas, 7-10
3. LA Chargers, 7-10
4. Denver, 6-11
NFC North
1. Green Bay, 12-5 y
2. Chicago, 9-8 x
3. Detroit, 5-12
4. Minnesota, 4-13
NFC South
1. Atlanta, 9-8 y
2. Tampa, 8-9
3. Carolina, 8-9
4. New Orleans, 7-10
NFC East
1. Dallas, 13-4 z
2. Washington, 7-10
3. NY Giants, 7-10
4. Philadelphia, 7-10
NFC West
1. San Francisco, 12-5 y
2. Seattle, 10-7 x
3. LA Rams, 9-8 x
4. Arizona, 5-12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFL Wild Card Schedule
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at New England Patriots (13-4)
Los Angeles Rams (9-8) at Green Bay Packers (12-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7) at Cleveland Browns (11-6)
Chicago Bears (9-8) at San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) at Houston Texans (11-6)
Seattle Seahawks (10-7) at Atlanta Falcons (9-8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Patrick Mahomes (KC): 30 of 40, 402 yards, 3 touchdowns
CB Jaire Alexander (NE): 3 interceptions, touchdown
QB Trey Lance (SF): 23 of 34, 310 yards, 4 touchdowns
OLB Khalil Mack (CHI): 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recovery
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- League Leader Passing
1. QB Patrick Mahomes (KC): 70 cmp%, 5441 yds, 46 TD
2. QB Jordan Love (GB): 68 cmp%, 4910 yds, 47 TD
3. QB Bryce Young (MIN): 65 cmp%, 4843 yds, 37 TD Rushing
1. HB Nick Chubb (CLE): 356 carries, 1807 yds, 13 TD
2. HB Derrick Henry (TEN): 334 carries, 1694 yds, 12 TD
3. HB Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 325 carries, 1693 yds, 21 TD Receiving
1. WR Michael Thomas (NO): 109 receptions, 1580 yds, 10 TD
2. WR John Metchie III (KC): 105 receptions, 1746 yds, 11 TD
3. TE George Kittle (SF): 100 receptions, 1222 yds, 11 TD Sacks
1. DE Aaron Donald (LAR): 19 sacks
2. DE Yannick Ngakoue (LV): 16 sacks
3. DE Jadeveon Clowney (CLE): 14 sacks Interceptions
T-1. CB Chandon Sullivan (CAR): 5 interceptions
T-1. LB Bobby Wagner (PHI): 5 interceptions
T-1. LB Devin Lloyd (CLE): 5 interceptions
T-1. CB Jalen Ramsey (LAR): 5 interceptions
T-1. LB Fred Warner (SF): 5 interceptions Tackles
1. LB Bobby Okereke (IND): 153 tackles
2. LB Trez Marshall (NE): 145 tackles
3. LB Isaiah Simmons (ARI): 143 tackles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Injuries
CB Kelee Ringo (ARI): Season (leg)
HB James Conner (ARI): Season (thumb)
T Jack Conklin (CLE): Season (ankle)
OLB Will Anderson (CIN): Season (shoulder)
CB Chidobe Awuzie (CIN): Season (wrist)
HB Aaron Jones (GB): Season (knee)
G Ikem Ekwonu (LAC): Season (hand)
WR Brandin Cooks (HOU): Season (foot)
CB Trent Flowers (IND): Season (toe)
LT Christian Darrisaw (MIN): Season (ankle)
DE Marcus Davenport (NO): Season (groin)
CB Marshon Lattimore (NO): Season (foot)
TE Dallas Goedert (PHI): Season (back)
OLB Za'Darius Smith (PHI): Season (back)
OLB Alex Highsmith (PIT): Season (hamstring)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Transactions
Tennessee Titans fire head coach Mike Vrabel
New York Jets fire head coach Robert Saleh
New York Giants fire head coach Matt Campbell
Miami Dolphins fire head coach Brian Flores
Arizona Cardinals fire head coach Kliff Kingsbury
Stock Up, Stock Down as Patriots LT Isaiah Wynn heads to IR ahead of postseason
New England Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn has been placed on IR, effectively ending his season after breaking his elbow on the third play of the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. They've elevated OL Nick Ford from their practice squad.
Wynn, 28, missed three games this season due to injuries and only completed eleven full games this season, posting a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.1 which was third on the team among the regular starters on the offensive line.
The Patriots will have a decision to make as the injury prone tackle is due $16 million next season and $16.9 million the year after that. Rookie offensive tackle Tyler Patterson, who will likely get the start at left tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, finished out the season with a 75.8 PFF grade, besting Wynn after being draft in the fourth round by the Patriots in this year's past draft.
Patterson is among the Stock Up players heading into the postseason. Here are a few more:
UP TE Darnell Washington, 22, 1Y | DOWN TE Jonnu Smith, 29, 7Y
He falls short of his eight touchdowns total from his rookie season but Washington saw a big uptick in terms of involvement from his rookie season, playing in over 200 more snaps despite missing two games with an injury.
Beginning in Week 14, Washington played at least sixty snaps in every game except for the regular season finale where he played 45 snaps. While Jonnu Smith's season totals bested Washington's, his production was way down from last season and starting from Week 14, he never played more snaps than Washington in a game. With the veteran tight end approaching free agency, the writing is on the wall that Washington is the tight end of the future.
-
UP S/ILB Jalen Catalon, 23, 2Y | DOWN ILB Jaylon Smith, 29, 8Y
Smith was one of the surprises of the season earlier in the year, emerging as one of New England's top options in sub packages. In the first four weeks, Smith's PFF grade was a 90.9 and while he still finished with a good grade (78.3), his play dipped over the final stretch, grading under an 80.0 in each of the last five games of the season.
A late addition to the roster after training camp, Catalon was a core special teams player until around week five where he started playing more and more in a role very similar to that of Adrian Phillips and Patrick Chung as a box safety. He played 94 snaps in the game against Kansas City, recording fifteen tackles.
He's still too inconsistent as a young player to pencil him in as a starter next season but heading to the playoffs, don't be surprised if Catalon starts being the one next to Trez Marshall on obvious passing downs and not Smith.
-
UP EDGE Micah Webb, 22, R | DOWN EDGE DeAngelo Malone, 25, 2Y
What started off as a rotation earlier in the season has quickly turned into the Micah Webb Show with the Rutgers product being a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
After Malone missed two games in the middle of the season, Webb emerged as the top edge rusher opposite of Von Miller, playing at least 45 snaps in the next five games. Even when Malone got back into the rotation, it was still Webb that would play the most snaps while Malone and Ronnie Perkins would spell him.
It was a big showcase year for Malone who flashed towards the end of last season and many projected him to take that next step following the departure of Matthew Judon and Dont'a Hightower but it's been Webb, the 4th round pick, whose made some waves.
-
UP OT Tyler Patterson, 22, R | DOWN LT Isaiah Wynn, 28, 6Y and RT Trent Brown, 31, 9Y
Brown and Wynn will be due a combined $30 million next season and while they both graded out okay in 2024 (74.1 and 72.1 respectively), they were far from elite while their replacement, Patterson, graded out better than them as a rookie that was tasked with starting at three different positions throughout the year at left tackle, right tackle and left guard.
With Mac Jones locked up, New England now has some cap flexibility to either try to upgrade at the position or eat the dead money of releasing or trading either of the veteran tackles as they look to go younger along the offensive line. Patterson will be essentially auditioning for next year's left tackle position in the playoffs as he'll get a chance to go up against some of the best pass rushers in the NFL, starting this week with T.J. Watt and potentially Myles Garrett next week.
Last edited by Soapy on 02 Oct 2022, 19:48, edited 1 time in total.
