Week six of the NFL season sees the New England Patriots play the New York Jets in a battle of 3-2 teams. At halftime, neither team is any closer to 4-2 as the team's are tied at 14 at halftime. Despite New England trailing 14-0 early on and playing a generally sloppy half of football in all three phases of the game, the team was able to tie the contest late in the second quarter.
Let's recap the first 30 minutes of action.
Prior to the game, the Patriots won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. New England's defense looked good early on its first drive by forcing New York into a 3rd and 10. However, in a sign of things to come, the Jets were able to convert – and subsequently drive down the field to take a 7-0 lead. On the way to the touchdown, the Jets were able to convert three more 3rd downs.
New England started its first offensive possession looking good as well. However, the team's first series stalled at the Jets' 41-yard line. A very good punt by Ryan Allen pinned New York at its own 4-yard line, though, and the defense also stepped up: The unit forced a three-and-out which resulted in the Patriots' offense starting its next possession at its 47-yard line.
The Patriots were unable to take advantage of the good field position, however, as Mike Gillislee lost a fumble at the Jets 22-yard line. The Jets then drove 78 yards in seven plays to expand their lead to 14 points. New England's offense answered with a three-and-out but the team's defense was able to force another punt to set up the offense on its own 7-yard line.
Despite starting deep in their own territory, the Patriots were able to drive 93 yards in nine plays to cut the deficit to seven points: A one-yard Dion Lewis scoring run and the ensuing extra point made it a 14-7 game. The temporary momentum shift continued as New England's defense was able to come up with another three-and-out. However, the team's positive strides did not last long.
New England's next possession ended with an interception: Tom Brady was targeting Phillip Dorsett deep but the Jets' Buster Skrine came away with the football. Luckily for the team, the team's defense delivered once again and forced a New York three-and-out. The offense moved the football into scoring distance on its next possession but failed to come away with points as a 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
The miss gave New York excellent field position but an interception by Malcolm Butler stopped the team's ensuing possession. With not even a minute left in the first half, the Patriots were able to drive 64 yards in 24 seconds, capped by a two-yard scoring pass from Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gostkowski's extra point attempt was good and the game was suddenly tied at 14.
New England will receive the second half kickoff.