Game Rewind: Thanks to a controversial reversal of a Jets touchdown in the 4th quarter, the Patriots survived at MetLife Stadium beating the Jets 24-17 in what was a tight game. 

Here are five thoughts on the game. 

1. Slow Start: The Patriots defense gave up an opening drive touchdown to the Jets and the Patriots fell behind 14-0 early. They were able to rally right before the half to tie the game at 14 but the slow start was discouraging because this team has fallen behind early in games a lot this season.

2. Dion Lewis Sparks the Running Game: The diminutive Lewis gave the Patriots running game a spark rushing for 52 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. The Patriots running back by committee approach hasn’t exactly worked this season.  They need one of their backs to assert themselves. Lewis did that yesterday. 

3. Brady’s Drive Wills the Patriots Back: Once again, Tom Brady’s competitiveness and his will to win is what brought the Patriots back in this game. Brady didn’t panic. Instead, he orchestrated two drives in the second quarter that enabled the Patriots to come from behind and win this game. Despite playing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, Brady’s resiliency proved to be the driving force behind the Patriots come back. 

4. Picking on Adams and Maye: Rookie Jets safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye got an education in pass defense yesterday. They struggled one on one when they were matched up with Rob Gronkowski, particularly Adams. Gronk caught 6 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. 

5. The Reversal: The reversal of an Austin Sefarian-Jenkins touchdown in the fourth quarter enabled the Patriots to hold on and win this game. After reviewing the play, referee Tony Corrente and officials in the league office reviewing the play determined that Jenkins fumbled the ball out of the end zone as he was breaking the pylon. That did not appear to be the case. It looked like Jenkins scored.  The botched reversal led to the Jets kicking a field goal rather than scoring the game tying touchdown. Some times you need luck and a couple of breaks to win games like this. The Patriots got one yesterday. 

Up Next: The Falcons come to Foxboro next Sunday night in a Super Bowl 51 rematch.