AFC: Brady airs it out in rallying Patriots over visiting Jets

FOXBOROUGH, MASS.— The fourth quarter started just in time for Tom Brady to overcome some early drops and lead the Patriots on a comeback.

Brady overcame New England’s shaky first three quarters by throwing for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth as the Patriots defeated the New York Jets 30-23 on Sunday to remain unbeaten.

Brady completed 13 of 16 passes for 135 yards in the final quarter to overcome a 20-16 deficit and give New England (6-0) a two-game lead over the Jets in the AFC East.

“I thought we played better as the game went on,” said Brady, who was 34 of 54 for 355 yards — numbers that would have been even better if not for the 11 drops by his receivers.

The Jets (4-2) rallied in the final minute, kicking a field goal on first down with 23 seconds left to get within one score before Brandon Marshall recovered the onside kick. But after a short pass over the middle to Eric Decker left the Jets 37 yards away from tying the game, Marshall failed to get set on Ryan Fitzpatrick’s spike to stop the clock; the false-start penalty ended it.

“I feel like we had them,” offensive lineman Willie Colon said. “I feel like we were the better team out there, but obviously we were not. They beat us fair and square.”

Fitzpatrick completed 22 of 39 passes for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Chris Ivory, who entered as the AFC’s leading rusher, was held to 41 yards on 17 carries while dealing with a sore hamstring; he also had two catches for 12 yards and a touchdown. Decker caught six passes for 94 yards.

Brady, with 15 rushing yards, was the Patriots’ leading runner for the first time in his career.

“I should enjoy this, because it will probably never happen again,” said Brady, who threw the ball on all but nine plays — tying the NFL record for the fewest rushes in a win.