FOXBORO, Massachusetts: The New England Patriots squandered a double-digit lead but beat the New York Jets in overtime yesterday to seize the lead in the NFL’s AFC East division.
New England’s Stephen Gostkowski booted a field goal in overtime, then defender Rob Ninkovich sealed a 29-26 win for the Pats when he sacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and forced him to fumble.
“It really stings because we played hard throughout the whole game,” said Sanchez. “I was really proud of the way our defense kept us in it.”
New England trailed by three with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Superstar quarterback Tom Brady connected on four passes in a drive capped by Gostkowski’s 43-yard field goal as time expired, sending the contest into overtime.
Brady threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots had led by 10 points after three quarters, but Sanchez led scoring drives on all three of the Jets’ possessions in the fourth to put them on top.
Yesterday’s action began with all four AFC East teams -- New England, the Jets, Buffalo and Miami -- at 3-3. At the end of the day, New England were on top.
REUTERS
