Despite everything trending against them, the Jets came to play on Thursday night. Unfortunately for Rex Ryan, so did Tom Brady.
Brady was far from perfect, but he came out guns blazing (10/15 for 149 yards and a pair of scores) and ended up producing his third-consecutive impressive game. No big deal for a Hall of Fame quarterback, but certainly a relieving start considering the poor performances we saw from New England's franchise quarterback the first four games of the season.
With the Pats run game in the tank and defense struggling, Brady diversified his bonds, utilizing Shane Vereen and -- gasp! -- even Danny Amendola to sneak out a 27-25 win over a determined Jets team.
After a miserable stretch to open the season, Brady's play has been strong the last few weeks; we highlighted his improvement during our preview, but it continued Thursday night.
Over his past three games, Brady's now 70 for 119 (64.2 percent) with 914 yards (7.9 yards per attempt), nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
Two of Brady's three touchdowns on Thursday actually came with Brady moving, a pretty big rarity for the 37-year-old these days.
Asked about getting motivated by criticism over the slow start, Brady finally admitted -- sort of -- the Patriots drew a lot from their early season struggles.
"I think it was a great opportunity to show our mental toughness," Brady said. "Without going through that, everyone keeps pumping you up."
He was far less loquacious when it came to how deep this iteration of the Patriots can go this year.
"I think that's why we're going to play them all," Brady said. "That's for you guys to predict all those things. I would love to win out, but it doesn't always work that way. I think we showed a little mental toughness."
But Brady's kind of right about it, you know? He noted the 2001 Patriots title team was 5-5 more than halfway into the season and compared it to the 2007 Patriots, who were 18-0 and didn't win it all.
We put a lot of effort into offering week-to-week referendums about whether or not a particular team is a contender or a pretender. For the Patriots it's ultimately irrelevant.
Beating the Jets by a little or a lot doesn't really matter for them. Keeping Brady rolling while figuring out what kind of team they have does.
2. Strong Geno Game
It paled in comparison to Brady's effort but that was always going to happen to Geno Smith on Thursday. And there aren't many moral victories to take from a 1-6 record after a close loss, but the Jets should be pleased with the way Smith looked in this game.
He finished 20 for 34 (58.8 percent) for 226 yards (6.6 YPA) with a touchdown and no picks. It might've been his best game as a pro.
And he even flashed a little chivalry.
There are better statistical efforts but Geno flashed some real promise on the Jets touchdown drive to close the game within two points and then some real poise to get the Jets within semi-field goal range for Nick Folk.
Folk's kick was blocked, ultimately ruining the narrative, but Geno's performance shouldn't be overlooked.
3. Return of the Run
So the Jets ran the ball really well on Thursday. Chris Ivory was a physical beast, running 21 times for 107 yards. Chris Johnson even looked like he might be a living, breathing person, rushing 13 times for 61 yards. Geno used his legs nicely too, with seven rushes for 37 yards.
That's good news for the Jets moving forward: the run is the identity of this team and they got away from it the last two games, totaling 122 rushing yards against the Broncos and Chargers in a pair of losses.
Again, it was in a losing effort so it's bittersweet. But with a soft schedule coming up, the Jets can take some solace in the fact they could actually win some games by pounding the rock down their opponents' throats.
4. Missing Mayo
On the other hand, how much do we worry about the Patriots rush defense after their loss of Jerod Mayo? He's clearly their best run-stopper and unquestionably the quarterback of their defense.
He's likely done for the year and Thursday was telling: the Pats gave up more rushing yards than they have all season and allowed 200 rushing for just the second time this season (the other being the Kansas City blowout).
It was pretty obvious against the Jets New England misses Mayo. No surprise there given how despondent (relatively anyway) Bill Belichick acted after the loss of the linebacker.
This is still a good defensive with plenty of impressive parts but their performance against the run in the coming weeks warrants watching.
5. Redemption
Poor Chris Jones no longer. Remember last year when the Jets upended the Patriots thanks to his illegal block on a field-goal attempt?
Jones more than made up for it on Thursday, blocking Folk's attempt at a game-winning kick in the waning seconds of the Patriots victory.
Pretty sweet redemption, with Bill Belichick calling it "fitting."
"Real happy for Chris [Jones]," Belichick said. "After what happened last year, it was fitting."
6. What Were You Thinking?
Down eight points with eight minutes to go and life fading quickly from an already near-dead season, the Jets decided to come out and line up Michael Vick behind Geno Smith in an attempt to run an option play.
It’s one thing to get cute. This was downright adorable from an offense that was stuck in the mud most of the night. Or season; they tried that trick formation during the first week of the season and it didn’t work then either.
Literally no one was fooled.
Chandler Jones ended up almost duplexing Vick for a sack/tackle in the backfield. The only reason the Jets stayed alive was a defensive holding penalty against the Pats.
7. Soccer-Style Flopper
Just before the half, Tom Brady got shoved after throwing a pass out of bounds. Pats lineman Jordan Devey didn't take kindly to the move and did some shoving. Brady popped up from the sideline and got involved in the fracas before promptly flopping to the ground.
Even though only one person was fooled, Gisele's Brazilian soccer buddies would be proud.
8. Rex Ryan Face
When you come home for Christmas break and show your dad your freshman year report card.
9. What Were You Thinking Part Deux
Certainly no one wants a turnover a la Smith's cover party last week against the Broncos, but the Jets first two plays on their final drive were weak as all get out.
With 1:06 on the clock and sitting at their own 12-yard line, the Jets ran consecutive dump-off passes from Geno to CJ, generating 19 yards and burning 36 seconds off the clock.
Geno eventually navigated the team into field goal position of sorts, but pushing the ball down the field -- and more importantly, towards the sidelines to stop the clock -- could've saved enough time and added enough yardage to really get in Folk's range.
Not coughing up the ball and picking up some yardage is critical, but it was a poor set of opening plays on the final drive.
10. Glove Love
Bob Kraft finally got that high five he's been looking for.