The Jets recover two fumbles but settle for four field goals in loss to Patriots

Two recovered fumbles gave the Jets extra chances Sunday. Three trips to the red zone gave them opportunities to finish drives. Neither advantage produced the touchdowns New York needed in a 26-19 loss at New England.

The Jets scored once through the air and four times on Jason Sanders field goals, falling to 2-4. The Patriots, who improved to 4-2 with a third consecutive win, turned Drake Maye’s three touchdown passes and several defensive stops into enough separation to survive.

Geno Smith completed 20 of 30 passes for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Omar Cooper Jr. caught six passes for 103 yards in his return from injured reserve. Those contributions kept New York involved, but the drive endings repeatedly favored the home team.

A turnover creates a chance to tie

The Patriots led 17-3 at halftime after touchdown catches by Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas. Cooper’s touchdown reception cut that advantage to seven in the third quarter, and the Jets soon got another opportunity when David Bailey forced a TreVeyon Henderson fumble.

Jamien Sherwood recovered, giving New York the ball in New England territory. The Jets moved into the red zone, but Elijah Ponder’s third-down sack pushed them back. Sanders’ 36-yard field goal made it 17-13 rather than tying the game.

New England answered with a 12-play, 68-yard drive ending in Maye’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry. The extra point missed, but the Patriots had restored a two-score lead. Charles Woods intercepted Smith on the next Jets possession, ending another chance to put New England under pressure.

Milton Williams offered a glimpse of Mike Vrabel’s approach after the win. In NESN’s postgame video, the defensive tackle described the coach’s blunt demands and said he welcomed being challenged throughout the week. Williams expected that pressure to keep helping the Patriots improve as the season continued.

The pass rush gave him a concrete example. In the Patriots’ official postgame quotes, Williams said he and Christian Barmore had spent the week frustrated by getting close to quarterbacks without finishing. Vrabel had challenged them, too. Williams and Barmore then recorded sacks on consecutive first-half plays against the Jets. Williams still felt the defense had fallen short of its own standard despite doing enough to win.

Smith’s interception was his first of the season, the Associated Press reported. The Jets also finished 3 of 10 on third down and failed on both fourth-down attempts. New England held them without a touchdown on all three red-zone trips.

New England survives its own losses

Maye finished 18 of 32 for 235 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Douglas caught seven passes for 86 yards, Henry added four for 48, and Doubs’ only reception was his 42-yard touchdown catch.

The Patriots lost Doubs to a shoulder injury and had three starting offensive linemen leave: Morgan Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown. They nevertheless allowed no sacks and rushed for 148 yards. Corey Kiner contributed 57 yards on 11 carries.

Sanders’ final field goal brought New York within seven with 32 seconds remaining, but the Patriots recovered the onside kick to close the game. The Jets next host Miami. New England visits Chicago on Thursday, with Mike Vrabel saying after the game that the short turnaround left the injured players’ availability uncertain.