No Branch, No Problem - Sort Of.

Early in the third quarter, this one looked like it was about to get really ugly, as the Pats had jumped out to what looked like an insurmountable 24-0 lead over the Jets at the Meadowlands in New Jersey last night. But the Jets made it more than a game, but in the end, Tom Brady and the Patriots were up to the task, winning their 7th consecutive game against the hated Jets.

This one started out as a New England laugher. The Pats jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, when Corey Dillon rushed over the left side for a 1 yard TD to put the Pats up 7-0. The Pats went up 10-0 and 17-0 in the second quarter, on a field goal by kicker Adam, err, Stephen Gostkowski and a Tom Brady 13 yard TD pass to rookie Chad Jackson (who finally played in his 1st game as a New England Patriot).

New England's defense was stalwart in the first half, posting a goose egg and looking to put the finishing touches on what looked to be a rout. To open the 3rd quarter, the Pats forced the Jets to turn the ball over on downs after a fourth and one at their own 46 yard line (very questionable call by Jets coach and Bill Belichick disciple Eric Mangini) was stuffed by the Pats front 7. The Pats then marched 46 yards in 7 plays to make the score 24-love. This one had all the makings of all Pats, but the Jets were just getting their engines started.

ON the next drive, the Jets scored on one of the stranger plays that Bostonist has seen in a while. New York Receiver Jerrhico Cotchery made a nice grab on a Chad Pennington pass to the right, and weathered two wicked hits from Ellis Hobbs and Eugene Wilson and some how kept his balance and scampered 71 yards for an unexpected TD, and a 24-7 deficit. On the subsequent drive, it looked as if the Pats were simply going to Thunder and Lightning the Jets do death, by running 3 consecutive running plays with Corey Dillon and rookie Laurence Maroney for a first down. But, with 5 minutes remaining in the third, Brady dropped back and looked deep for receiver Doug Gabriel. The pass was under thrown and intercepted by David Barrett.

Pennington and the Jets went back to work, and 8 plays and 81 yards later, the Jets scored on a Laveranues Coles 46 yard TD reception. 24-14, and Pats nation and Bostonians became more restless. To make matters worse, Tom Brady took another vicious hit and fumbled early in the 4th quarter when Jets corner Kerry Rhodes hit Brady from the blind side, and the ball popped loose. All of New England collectively held their breath, waiting for Brady to get up off the turf. By the time Brady rose, the Jets had the ball yet again, this time starting their drive on the Patriots side of the field. Luckily, the Pats were able to hold the Jets to a field goal, but the game was now a 24-17 contest, and the Jets were very much alive.

Then, Tom Terrific took over, as he has so many times. Tom orchestrated an 8 minute 17 play drive that swallowed most of the 4th quarter. Even though the drive ended in a 29-yard Gostkowski field goal being blocked, Brady, with help from Dillon and Maroney, had effectively iced the game, and the Pats were able to escape from New York with a hard earned 24-17 "W".

The Jets had a small chance to tie, with the ball on their own 19 and 1:05 remaining in the game, but no time-outs. The Jets were able to advance to their own 45, but their drive and the game was ended when Tedy Bruschi picked off Pennington. Brady finished with not superb numbers, 15-29 with 220 yards, a TD and an Interception. But, the most important number, the win column, was positive. Now, the Pats are 2-0, tops in their division, and most importantly, have beaten their 1st 2 division opponents.

Next week, the Denver Broncos travel to the "Razor" for a rematch of last year's divisional playoff fiasco. You can see the questionable plays here from our friends at YouTube, just to get a little more riled up for this matchup.

Sidenote, the Sox took 3 of 4 from the Yankees in the Stadium this weekend. That's nice... Too bad its incidental at this point. Still, glad to see the Sox play with some pride and not allow the Yanks to celebrate YET AGAIN while the Sox are on the same field.