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 The fifth successive win by the Jets (10-5), coupled with the
Pittsburgh Steelers' 20-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, vaulted the
Jets ahead of the Steelers for the final AFC wild-card spot.
The Jets will qualify for the playoffs if they beat the Buffalo
Bills next Sunday.
"That's all you can ask for," Jets rookie head coach Todd Bowles
said.
The topic of conversation following the game was all about
Belichick's curious decision after New England scored 17 of the
final 20 points of regulation to climb out of a 17-3 deficit and
force overtime.
"Nothing surprises you about the Patriots and strategy and what they
think," said Fitzpatrick, who finished 26 of 41 for 296 yards and
three touchdowns but had had a fumble returned for a touchdown by
Jamie Collins to begin New England's second-half comeback.
"So we were excited for the opportunity to get the ball and have a
chance to put them away."
Belichick said he had no regrets about kicking off.
"I thought that was the best thing to do," Belichick said before
adding that his team's performance in the final few moments of
regulation had not helped.
"There was a pass interference penalty on third down, they got the
stop, we get the ball back where we want it," Belichick said.
"Then we get picked, beat on two flag patterns. We just didn't play
good enough defense."
The Jets collected just four first downs in their final four drives
of regulation but needed just five plays to end the game.
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After a two-yard gain by running back Chris Ivory, Fitzpatrick hit
wide-open wide receiver Quincy Enunwa -- who dropped a potential
game-winning touchdown pass with 37 seconds left in regulation --
for a 48-yard gain down the left sideline.
Ivory gained four yards on the next play and Fitzpatrick then
connected with wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a 20-yard gain.
On the next snap, Decker beat Butler into the right corner of the
end zone, caught the winning touchdown pass and leaped into the
stands to celebrate with fans.
"Those are the moments you cherish and remember," Decker said.
"It's never really the stats you remember, it's those moments with
your teammates in the locker room, the excitement.
"The way we've been playing the game the past five weeks is what
it's all about."
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