Gutsy performance by Jim Leonhard who had surgery on his broken thumb on Monday and still played in this game. He was the Jets’ second leading tackler with 10 and his ability to be out there had a stabilizing effect on the defense. Leonhard makes the defensive calls and secondary adjustments and his presence is critical.

One of the Jets’ off-season priorities must be finding another starting cornerback. Lito Sheppard has been a disaster. He has either been injured or ineffective. He played in the game yesterday but you would never know it. He received minimal snaps and is just not the player he used to be. With the rest of the Jets’ secondary being complementary players they will need to find a solid #2 guy who lock down the opponent’s #2 receiver.

This was a physical game. The Jets turned up the intensity in the second half but the Patriots were laying the lumber as well. Donald Strickland got hammered by reserve tackle Mark LeVoir and had to be helped off the field. Dwight Lowery almost fumbled away a kick return when he was leveled by safety Brandon McGowan.


Other Random Thoughts

Mark Sanchez has had 7 balls returned for touchdowns this season - most in the NFL. David Harris’ holding call in the first quarter on 3rd and 7 at the Jets’ 9 was costly. Instead of 4th down and a likely field goal attempt, the Patriots had first and goal. They would score on the very next play – that is a four-point swing… The Jets’ blocked punt for a touchdown was a huge momentum changer. They were able to go into half time with some points and it set the tone for their improved play in the second half. Great play by the Smith boys. Eric fought through the line to block the punt and Brad scooped it up for the score. It was the Jets’ first special teams touchdown this season…The Jets’ kick return unit played well, averaging 33.8 yards on four attempts…The Jets are the only team this year not to score a touchdown in the last five minutes of regulation.