In a tight divisional game like this was, the plays at the end of the game are usually the ones that define it most. My choices this week are no exception. There was the Pats first touchdown pass that caught the Jets asleep and there were a few sacks, notably by Chandler Jones, that I could’ve gone with, but these three plays were the ones that gave the Patriots the win.
This first play was the feel-good moment of the game for those who had been waiting for Danny Amendola to show up in the passing game. Just an incredibly acrobatic catch from Amendola as it appeared that his kickoff returns got him into the game flow early in this one. Hard not to feel great for Amendola as he came through in the clutch like this. If he can continue to develop into a threat, the Pats offense will have another difficult dimension for opponents to defend.
And as if the game-winning touchdown wasn’t enough, Amendola recovered this scary onsides kick on the very next play. It had to have been a frustrating start to the 2014 season for Amendola, but these two huge plays show why you just have to keep battling.
Finally, comes the game-saving blocked field goal attempt. Such poetic justice after how last year’s overtime game ended with Jones getting called for a silly penalty that handed the Jets the win. I think there was a pretty good chance this one was going to be good too. Again, this should help spark Chris Jones in what has already been a solid start to his second season after coming back from injury.
Previous Three GIFs: