The New York Jets earned a bittersweet victory in snowy Foxborough
The New York Jets had a special parting gift for longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
In the potential snowy swan song for Belichick’s haunting quarter-century wearing New England’s top headset, the Jets ended their 15-game losing streak against Belichick’s protégés, earning a 17-3 win in the final week of the 2023-24 season.
What little star power existed in the clash between the doomed divisional rivals emerged in the form of Breece Hall, who turned his career-high 36 carries into 174 yards, including the clinching score from 50 away that set up a bittersweet victory for the long-suffering fans of green.
BREECE HALL CALLED GAME 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Wspz5iIfGc
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 7, 2024
Beyond Hall, the star of the day was undoubtedly Thomas Morstead. He and Bryce Baringer united for 16 boots on Sunday to make up for sluggish offenses. Morstead’s first punt was downed at the New England three-yard line, leading to the first of three Greg Zuerlein field goals that built what proved to be an insurmountable lead.
The Jets did manage to have some fun on defense: in addition to holding New England to under 200 yards in Belichick’s possible coda, the Jets also got to New England quarterback Bailey Zappe on seven occasions. Bryce Huff and Quinnen Williams combined for 5.5 sacks.
SACK and SNOW ANGEL from the Pro Bowler @QuinnenWilliams!!#NYJvsNE on FOX pic.twitter.com/u2ZtZEZkX5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 7, 2024
the @Bryce55H get off is CRAZY 💨#NYJvsNE on FOX pic.twitter.com/qztPhbr3A1
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 7, 2024
With the win, the Jets (7-10) earned seven victories for the second consecutive season, their best tally of triumphs over two seasons since 2015-16 (15).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
