FOXBORO — If Sunday really marked Bill Belichick’s final sport as head coach of the Patriots, then his 24-year tenure ended with snow swirling inside Gillette Stadium in entrance of a half-full crowd in a barely watchable 17-3 loss to the Jets.
It wasn’t a becoming approach for Belichick to exit, shedding to the Jets for the primary time since 2015, however then once more, there’s a purpose why the pinnacle coach’s future is in query in any respect. Belichick has by no means coached on a group with greater than 12 losses. The 2023 Patriots’ season will come to a merciful finish with a 4-13 report, that includes an offense that may’t get out of its personal approach and a protection that must put its personal factors on the board to place victory inside attain.
The Patriots had been anticipating a snowstorm all week, however hours earlier than kickoff, it appeared like they may keep away from it. Precipitation wasn’t sticking to the Gillette Stadium turf as a wintry combine fell from the sky. But simply round kickoff, the wintry combine turned to snow, and it began blanketing the sector. It took leaf blowers to unsurface markings on the sector in between the motion.
The level complete, which dropped to 29.5 on Saturday evening, was traditionally low in Sunday’s sport, and the Jets and Patriots didn’t disappoint bettors good sufficient to take the beneath. All sport, the 2 groups traded punts and discipline targets.
After 4 straight punts to start the sport, the Jets bought the scoring began late within the first quarter when kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 21-yard discipline aim try after quarterback Trevor Siemian helped put collectively a 10-play, 35-yard drive. Patriots punter Bryce Baringer’s 37-yard shank gave the Jets advantageous discipline place at New England’s 38-yard line.
The Patriots tied the sport 3-3 early within the second quarter when rookie kicker Chad Ryland, who has struggled this season, knocked by means of a 30-yard discipline aim after a 10-play, 50-yard drive. A 33-yard go from quarterback Bailey Zappe — who was backed up by Nathan Rourke, not Mac Jones on this sport — to extensive receiver Jalen Reagor accounted for many of that yardage.
The Jets responded with an eight-play, 56-yard scoring drive on their subsequent possession, culminating with a 40-yard discipline aim by Zuerlein. After a Patriots three-and-out, the Jets missed a discipline aim on their subsequent drive. The Patriots ended the half competitively, regardless of having simply 21 seconds left on the clock. Zappe threw three deep incompletions earlier than time ran out.
The second half began with seven straight punts. The Patriots lastly ended the cycle with a turnover on downs. Facing fourth-and-1 from their very own 45-yard line, Zappe threw a play-action go deep down the precise sideline to tight finish Pharaoh Brown that was damaged up by Jets security Ashtyn Davis.
That gave the Jets the ball close to midfield. An eight-play, 30-yard drive that took up 4:09 on the clock ended with the Jets extending their result in 9-3 with a 32-yard discipline aim from Zuerlein. The Patriots went backward on their subsequent drive, shedding 7 yards on three performs earlier than punting.
The Jets turned the ball over on downs earlier than craziness ensued on the Patriots’ subsequent possession.
Zappe threw an interception to Jets security Ashtyn Davis, who was stripped by tight finish Mike Gesicki on the return. The fumble was recovered by left sort out Vederian Lowe, who was injured on the play. Two performs later, Zappe was intercepted by Jets security Tony Adams.
Two performs into the Jets’ ensuing drive, operating again Breece Hall scored on a 50-yard run, adopted by a profitable two-point try.
BEST
CB Alex Austin: The rookie out of Oregon State, who was initially drafted by the Bills within the seventh spherical, has been a pleasant discover. He broke up a deep go meant for Jets extensive receiver Jason Brownlee halfway by means of the second quarter.
RB Ezekiel Elliott: It was fairly straightforward to foretell that the Patriots have been going to go together with a run-heavy strategy on this sport. Still, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry for 55 yards on 13 carries with no speeding try over 9 yards.
LB Mack Wilson: Wilson’s sack streak ended final week at three straight video games. He picked again up this week with a sack break up with linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. The fifth-year professional is taking part in a brand new place this yr as an edge defender.
WORST
QB Bailey Zappe: Granted, circumstances have been tough. But Zappe completed simply 12-of-30 for 80 yards with two interceptions.
P Bryce Baringer: The rookie had three 37-yard punts and a touchback in what was a disappointing season finale.
Offensive line: The Patriots’ blockers let up seven sacks for 57 yards to the Jets’ go rush.