Patriots propel Jets to 0- 9, worst start ever
NEW ENGLAND 30
NEW YORK JETS 27
EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — Cam Newton and the New England Patriots appeared headed to a f ifth straight loss — this one against the winless New York Jets, of all teams.
Then came the fourth quarter, and embarrassment turned into relief.
Nick Folk kicked a 51- yard f ield goal as time expired to win it 30- 27 on Monday night after Newton rallied the Patriots from a 10- point deficit.
“It shows the character of this team,” said Rex Burkhead, who had a touchdown run in the third quarter. “Just battling, f ighting. It shows the strength we have. We’re not going to quit.”
Meanwhile, the Jets dropped to 0- 9 for the f irst time in franchise history.
Newton had two touchdown runs, the second tying it at 27 with 1: 57 remaining. He also brushed off his struggles of the last few weeks, including a fumble against Buffalo last week
that sealed a loss.
“I’m getting tired of sucking,” said Newton, who was 27 for 35 for 274 yards.
After the Jets went three and out for the first time, the Patriots ( 3- 5) got the ball back with 47 seconds left.
Newton had a f ive- yard run on third and one from the New England 42 and then spiked the ball with 8 seconds left. He threw a 20yard pass to Jakobi Meyers to put Folk — who made big kicks for the Jets from 2010 to 2016 — in position for the winning field goal.
“I had a lot of good memories here at MetLife” Stadium, Folk said. “I just added one to the other sideline.”
After Folk’s 29- yarder with 6: 04 left cut the deficit to 27- 20, Jets quarterback Joe Flacco — solid while starting for an injured Sam Darnold — tried to put the game away. But his deep pass down the middle for Denzel Mims was picked off by J. C. Jackson. That set up Newton’s tying score.
“I don’t think I would’ve made a different decision in the moment,” Flacco said. “But, obviously, I’d like to have that one back.”