After falling to 3-3 by way of a 24-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6, the New England Patriots were back in action at home against the AFC East division rival New York Jets this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Things, however, did not begin the way that the home team had hoped for. After failing to drive the ball past midfield, due in part by a costly drop from wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, the Patriots were forced to punt the ball over to the Jets.
As everyone with a working knowledge of the NFL would have expected, the New York Jets immediately went to the passing attack to gash the New England defense on their opening drive of the game. It was Jets' wide out Jeremy Kerley who would be the primary beneficiary of the Pats' defensive struggles, catching two passes for a total of fifty yards. Running back Shonn Greene would conclude the touchdown drive with a one-yard leap into the endzone to give the Jets an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Patriots would receive perhaps the best play of the entire season (thus far) from cornerback Devin McCourty, as he would return Nick Folk's kick 104 yards for a game-tying touchdown. The score was sprung by an excellent block made by reserve tight end Daniel Fells. A KR touchdown is a rare sight against the New York Jets, who typically boast one of the league's strongest kick coverage teams.
After forcing a three-and-out of the Jets and setting themselves up with great field position, the Patriots offense would go to work. Tight end Rob Gronkowkski would conclude a successful drive by putting New England ahead, 14-7, on a beautiful catch in the corner of the endzone.
As the quarter came to a close, the Patriots were beset by another critical drop from Brandon Lloyd that would have set the team up, deep inside New York territory.