WATCH: Patriots WR Reagor Catch Fails to Spark Offense vs. Jets
Just when you thought that the snow has slowed the Week 18 matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium, running back Ezekiel Elliott brought the Pats to life — at least for a few moments.
Having been forced to punt for the first four series on offense — in what may end up being the final game for coach Bill Belichick on the Pats bench — Elliott ripped a pair of runs going for 11 and 13 yards respectively. Facing third-and-four at the New England 44, quarterback Bailey Zappe found receiver Jalen Reagor for a 33-yard gain. Though a delay-of-game call on Reagor would set the play back five yards, the advancement was more than enough to bring the Pats deep into New York territory.
The Patriots nearly secured six points on a potential acrobatic grab from tight end Mike Gesicki on a pass from Zappe into the end zone. However, Jets safety Tony Adams stayed with the play, and knocked the ball loose before Gesicki was ruled for the catch.
Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland capped the drive with a 30–yard field goal, tying the game at 3. The Jets answered the drive with an eight-play, 56-yard drive, ending in a 40-yarder from kicker Greg Zuerlein, giving New York a 6-3 lead.
New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) throws a pass against the New York Jets in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
As most of the NFL universe hungrily awaits word on the fate of Bill Belichick as Patriots coach and de facto general manager, the Pats are keeping their focus squarely on the Jets, The Patriots defeated the Jets in the season’s first meeting with a 15-10 win at MetLife Stadium in Week 3. The Patriots have won 15 straight games against the Jets and will look to sweep the series for the eighth straight season.
The Pats are without the services of left tackle Trent Brown (illness), receiver Tyquan Thornton, and quarterback Mac Jones, who was designated as the team’s emergency third quarterback. Third-stringer Nathan Rourke is serving as back-up to Bailey Zappe.
Lastly, special teams captain Matthew Slater, one of the most revered Patriots players in the organization’s history, was honored by his teammates during pre-game warmups, who donned a blue hoodie adorned by the words “The Patriot” on the front, with “Captain” and his number “18” on the back. Slater is rumored to be calling it a career after 16 NFL seasons, all spent with the Patriots.
