Tom Brady sets NFL mark for total yards passing
Brady sets record as Pats avoid back-to-back losses
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tom Brady set yet another NFL record. Ho-hum. The New England Patriots quarterback was more excited about his team earning another victory.
Brady threw two touchdown passes and became the career leader in total passing yards in regular-season and playoff games while leading New England to a 27-13 win against the New York Jets on Sunday.
“Just wins,” Brady said. “That’s what we’re here for. I’m trying to be a part of as many of these as I can.”
Well, the five-time Super Bowl champion certainly has lots of those. The latest clinched the Patriots (8-3) their 18th straight season with a win-loss record of .500 or better, which ranks second in NFL history to only the Dallas Cowboys, who had 21 in a row from 1965 to ’85.
Brady had just one touchdown throw in his previous three games, but he connected with Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski against the Jets (3-8). The Patriots quarterback went 20-of-31 for 283 yards, giving him 79,416 for his career.
He also reached 3,000 passing yards for the 16th straight season, tying Peyton Manning for second in NFL history behind Brett Favre’s 18. And Brady did it after missing Friday’s practice with an illness and being limited during the week with a sore knee.
“I’d prefer to be healthy and practice all the time,” Brady said. “That just wasn’t the case.”
He was plenty good enough. Rookie running back Sony Michel rushed for a touchdown and 133 yards, his high as a pro, and the Patriots totaled 215 yards on the ground, responding well to coach Bill Belichick’s challenge to his offense.
“We talked about being consistent week in and week out,” Michel said, “playing Patriots football, being physical and run the ball and throw the ball and control the line of scrimmage.”
Coming off a 34-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago, the Patriots avoided their second two-game losing streak of the season — something the franchise hasn’t experienced since 2015. New England, which improved to 3-3 on the road this season, has won five straight in the series against its AFC East rival and eight of the past nine.
With Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold out with a foot strain, 39-year-old backup Josh McCown made his second straight start — making this game the NFL’s second-oldest quarterback combo at 80 years, 258 days with 41-year-old Brady going for New England. The only older combination occurred in 2007 with a 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde for the Carolina Panthers and a 38-year-old Favre for the Green Bay Packers as they totaled 82 years, 44 days old.
Brady got the better of McCown in this one, though, even though it took until late in the second half for the Patriots to pull away.
“We were not great in the red area, but we made enough plays,” Brady said. “In every area, I think we can do a better job. We’re certainly not where we want to be, and we’ll keep building for it. Hopefully, everyone can stay healthy.”
Brady connected with Edelman for a 21-yard touchdown, and the Patriots led 20-13 with 1:52 left in the third quarter. The drive opened with a 27-yard reception by Chris Hogan, followed by a 27-yard run by James White. Brady found a wide-open Edelman, who ran through a tackle attempt by Jamal Adams and got into the end zone.
Michel added a 1-yard scoring run with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter, one play after a video review reversed his would-be touchdown run; his right knee was down before he reached the goal line. With the visitors up 27-13, many of the home fans headed for the exits.
McCown finished 26-of-45 for 276 yards with a touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse and one interception. The Jets have lost five straight for the first time since the 2014 season.
“It’s obviously not ideal,” McCown said. “I think individually, it’s a test — a test of who you are and what you’re about and your ability to get back up come back to work, work hard and be a professional. Those things are tested in these times.”
Jets kicker Jason Myers tied the score at 10 with three seconds remaining in the first half by making a 55-yard field goal, setting an NFL record with five field goals of that distance or longer in one season.