Man, a Jets Victory Monday just hits different, even when you’re watching from afar. You know, the rivalry might not be what it used to be, and honestly, the Jets haven’t really been relevant since Mark Sanchez was slinging it. But still, this game? It was a wild reminder that the Patriots are for real again, even if this wasn’t their cleanest outing. They pulled off an ugly divisional win against the Jets, moving to 4-2, and that’s the bottom line.
An Ugly Win is Still a Win: Patriots’ Grit Shines Through
Let’s be real, this was *not* the Patriots’ best showing. Drake Maye, their quarterback, looked off at times. He was inaccurate, missed some reads that you just can’t miss. And the defense? Oof. They gave up big plays and straight up struggled to contain the run. We saw drops and turnovers costing them drives, costing them points. It was frustrating to watch, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: they did *enough* to win. Coach Mike Vrabel straight up outcoached Aaron Glenn. When it absolutely mattered, the Patriots found a way to make plays, and that’s the kind of grit that counts.
You know, not too long ago, we’d all just be stoked they won a game, no matter how. But now, it’s different. We can actually sit here, acknowledge the W, and still be like, “Yeah, but that was an ugly one.” That’s a good place for a team to be, right? It shows they’ve set a higher standard. The next step is getting them to that point where an ugly win like this would have Boston media losing their minds, asking if the coach should be fired or if the QB’s window is closing. Remember those days with Belichick and Brady? They’d squeak by the Jets to go 8-0, and if you only listened to the radio, you’d think they lost 45-0. We’re not at *that* level of expectation yet, but it’s cool to see a team that can be happy with a win while still knowing they didn’t play their best.
Jets’ Questionable Calls Pave the Way for Patriot Victory
Meanwhile, over on the Jets’ sideline, it felt like a masterclass in how *not* to play situational football. I actually like Geno Smith; he’s a decent QB, he can win you games, and honestly, he had a pretty decent showing yesterday. But some seriously questionable play-calling and just falling short in those critical situations? That’s what decided this one.
If you know me, you know how I feel about that delayed shotgun draw play on 3rd-and-short. Seriously, I can’t imagine a worse call for that spot. Or at least I *couldn’t* until I watched the Jets try the exact same thing on 4th-and-short. Multiple times! It was wild. They had consecutive eight-play drives that marched right into New England territory, and what did they come away with? Zero points. Both times. You just can’t do that in the NFL and expect to win.
This Patriots team is now sitting at 4-2, and while this win wasn’t pretty, it keeps them moving. The road ahead is always tough, but grinding out wins when you’re not at your peak? That’s the sign of a legit squad figuring things out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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