Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots dives across the goal-line for a rushing touchdown in the game against the New York Jets at the MetLife Stadium, October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
Sony Michel recorded a career-high three rushing touchdowns and the New England defense forced six turnovers as the Patriots remained unbeaten with a resounding 33-0 victory over the host New York Jets on Monday night at East Rutherford, N.J.
Tom Brady completed 31 of 45 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown to help New England (7-0) beat the Jets for the eighth consecutive time. Phillip Dorsett II caught a touchdown pass and the Patriots totaled 323 yards while keeping pace with the San Francisco 49ers as the NFL's only undefeated squads.
Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Stephon Gilmore and Terrence Brooks all notched interceptions to increase New England's NFL-leading count to 18. John Simon contributed a strip-sack that led to a fumble recovery by Kyle Van Noy and the Patriots allowed just 154 yards.
Sam Darnold of the New York Jets attempts a pass in the game against the New England Patriots at the MetLife Stadium, October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
Sam Darnold was 11-of-32 passing for 86 yards and committed five turnovers, including matching a career worst with the four interceptions for the Jets (1-5). Darnold also threw four against the Miami Dolphins as a rookie last November.
The shutout was the second of the season for the Patriots, who have outscored their opponents 223-48.
New England opened the game with a dominating 16-play, 78-yard drive that took eight minutes, 47 seconds. Michel capped it off by taking a pitch from Brady and scampering around left end for a 3-yard scoring run.
Jason McCourty #30 of the New England Patriots guards Demaryius Thomas #18 of the New York Jets as the latter fails to complete a pass in the game at the MetLife Stadium, October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
McCourty's interception led to a 34-yard field goal by Mike Nugent that made it 10-0 with 3:49 left in the first quarter. The Patriots stretched the advantage to 17 on Brady's 26-yard scoring pass to Dorsett with nine seconds remaining in the quarter.
Simon's sack of Darnold led to Van Noy's fumble recovery and set up Michel's 1-yard run to make it 24-0 with 9:18 left in the second quarter.
Darnold threw his second interception – grabbed by Harmon – with 5:25 left in the half and he began the third quarter by being picked off by Gilmore.
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots rolls out in the game against the New York Jets at the MetLife Stadium, October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
The issues became worse when the Jets were backed up on their own 6-yard line near the midway point of the third quarter. Center Ryan Kalil's shotgun snap was high and tipped off Darnold's hands and rolled into the end zone. Darnold slapped the ball with his left hand as J.C. Jackson approached and it rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
Darnold tossed his fourth interception with 6:08 left in the third quarter when Brooks picked off the pass in the end zone.
Michel scored from 1 yard out to make it 33-0 with 12:32 remaining in the contest.