How Mac Jones and the offense made small progress in ugly win

Standing behind a podium at his post-game press conference Sunday, a relaxed and besuited Mac Jones revealed the Patriots knew the play that sprung backup tight end Pharaoh Brown for a surprising touchdown would work.

The truth is, they knew a lot more than that.

The Pats knew a clean game would beat the Jets, who have now lost 15 straight to their head-to-head series. Bill

Belichick declared it himself inside a celebratory locker room.

“The formula today: no turnovers,” Belichick said, as captured by an in-house camera crew. “No turnovers!”

Yes, it was that simple. A box checked, a step climbed, a disastrous 0-3 start dodged. All that truly mattered is the Patriots clinched a win, which they did for the same reasons that have carried them against the Jets ever since 2015: coach and quarterback.

Zach Wilson remains the worst passer in the league, and Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien managed to lift the top off the Jets defense once, something his counterpart, Nathaniel Hackett, failed to. After stretching their lead to 13-3 early in the second half, the Pats sat on the ball and watched the clock wind.

On Monday, Trent Brown described the win as “grimy.” The fact his description could equally apply to the gross weather conditions and the game itself speaks perfectly to how ugly play became.

Brown and the Patriots offense finished with zero snaps inside the red zone. They failed to close the Jets out on three different possessions inside the final 5:30. Mac Jones barely completed half his passes, yet still out-shone Wilson like a lighthouse held against a firefly.

But underneath the rain and disappointing finish were small signs of progress. The Patriots cannot afford to simply wait out another opponent or quarterback until they see the Jets again. That rematch is set for Jan. 7, their regularseason finale.

Until then, the Pats must run the ball. They must stay one step ahead defensively. And they must seal the leaks that cost them at least one, if not two, signature wins to start their season.

The good news? They achieved most of that Sunday.

Here’s what else the film revealed about the Pats’ first win: