New York Jets Throwback Thursday: Beating Brady At MetLife

The New England Patriots are beatable. Just ask rookie Geno Smith. In his most signature career win, Geno threw for 233 yards, 1 touchdown, and added 32 yards on the ground with another score. Before I detail the game, let me just recognize the top 4 receivers that day: Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson, Jeff Cumberland, Stephen Hill. Take a moment and appreciate Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. And of course Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is playing some of his best career football when it matters most.

The day began on a high note for the Jets. Geno directed an opening drive touchdown, a 12-yard pass to Jeremy Kerley to give the Jets early momentum. Brady and the Patriots then responded with a 1-yard Brandon Bolden touchdown run. Gronk, making his season debut after missing the first 6 games with back and forearm injuries, had a key 30-yard reception on that drive.

Geno Smith threw a pick 6 on the next possession, giving the Pats a momentum-swinging 14-7 lead. After a Jets field goal, the Patriots scored again on a 17-yard run by current Jet, Stevan Ridley. Kenbrell Thompkins also played for the Patriots at the time, catching 2 passes for 16 yards against the Jets. 21-10 Patriots at the half.

On just the second play of the 2nd half, Brady was looking for Gronk on a cross, but was intercepted by Antonio Allen, who returned it for a touchdown. 21-17 Pats. That is also the Jets' last pick 6.   After a pair of Pats punts, Geno directed a much needed scoring drive, this time on an 8-yard scramble for a touchdown. A 27-yard pass to David Nelson on a 3rd down and 5 was the key play on this drive. 24-21 Jets. Gang Green held Brady in check on the next possession, forcing another punt. Nick Folk then tacked on 3 more for a 27-21 Jets lead with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. The Patriots would eventually tie the game on a pair of field goals after the Jets offense could not close out the game down the stretch. 27-27 heading into Overtime.

After the Patriots won the toss and elected to receive, the Jets defense came up with a huge stop to force a punt. That Patriots drive looked promising after a 16-yard completion to Gronk. After getting into field goal range, Nick Folk lined up for the game winning 56-yarder. He pulled it wide left, but New England's Chris Jones was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after pushing his teammate into the Jets formation. It was the first time in NFL history this penalty was called. The 15-yard penalty put Folk in much better position, and he connected on the 41-yarder to give the Jets a 30-27 win.

Beating Brady at MetLife. It's happened before. In the biggest game since the 2010 playoffs, it needs to happen again for the Jets.