The Jets have absorbed plenty of soul-crushing losses to the Patriots during their 14-game losing streak against their longtime AFC East tormentors, but their last-second defeat last November stands out as one of the hardest to shake.
Marcus Jones’ 84-yard punt return for a touchdown with five seconds remaining in regulation vaulted the New England to a 10-3 win at Gillette Stadium last November.
As Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer noted on Thursday, “You never forget something like that, you really don’t.”
Asked if the Jets’ special-teams unit can use that unhappy ending as motivation for the game this Sunday versus the Patriots at MetLife Stadium, Boyer said: “if it doesn’t, then something is wrong with you. I really believe that, I think that anytime you lose a game, specifically that way, certainly that is something you should think about in the back of your mind, and you try to do everything you can to let that not happen again, obviously.”
The Patriots also added a new wrinkle to their special-teams unit last Sunday against the Dolphins, when safety Brendan Schooler took a running start from near the sideline and timed the snap count to block a field goal attempt by Miami kicker Jason Sanders.
“Some guys have tried it in the past, but [the Patriots] executed it perfectly. They had it timed up really nice, and you have got to give it to them,” Boyer said. “It’s not something I have ever done, but I have seen it before, and you couldn’t execute it any better than they did, that is for sure.
“The Patriots are a hell of a football team and their special teams are always really good. They are always well-coached and I think it is a big challenge for us this week.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh also didn’t recall seeing a play like that before. He said he thought it was “cool,” before smiling and adding “I hope they do it again.”