Patriots vs. Jets: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 Regular Season

With his knee and thigh swollen, Tom Brady finally showed signs of mortality Sunday.

The New England Patriots did not. 

New England's defense clamped down on a stagnant New York Jets offense, and Brady found Malcolm Mitchell for a game-winning touchdown, as the Patriots squeezed out a 22-17 win Sunday.

Brady threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, exhausting most of his energy on a series of underneath throws. The Patriots' long completion of the day was 25 yards, and it was one of only a few plays they had go for 20 or more. 

Brady entered the game with "swelling and soreness in his knee," per Adam Schefter of ESPN, as a result of a hit from Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor during the Nov. 13 game, causing swelling in his quad that moved to the knee, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

Brady was under center to start the game after being on the injury report, but Ben Volin of the Boston Globe was wondering if the Pats might be better off sitting the quarterback:

Volin's sentiment wound up falling a little short, especially as Brady drove the Patriots 83 yards down the field for the game-winning score. He completed six of nine passes on the drive and found Mitchell from eight yards out with 1:56 remaining.

It's the 50th game-winning drive of Brady's career and his 200th win as a starting quarterback. Wife Gisele Bundchen congratulated him on the triumph:

Brady was clearly playing at less than 100 percent, with the injured knee and quad that put him on the injury report having an effect on everything he did. It was never more clear than when Brady attempted to run out and block on a LeGarrette Blount run in the first quarter. He ran down the field with an obvious limp and got the respect of Jets defenders who backed away.

It wasn't all bad news for Brady, however, as he became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach 60,000 career passing yards. He is only a little over 1,000 yards behind Dan Marino for fourth place on the all-time list and will likely pass him this season, assuming he can stay on the field.

The Patriots had a GIF ready for the occasion:

Julian Edelman led the way for the Patriots with eight receptions for 83 yards. Chris Hogan added 70 yards on his four grabs.

The Patriots spent nearly the entire game without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who left in the first quarter and did not return after suffering a back injury. Gronkowski came into the week listed as questionable due to a chest injury that kept him out of last Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also missed two games early in the year with a hamstring injury.

Pro Football Talk offered an update on the situation:

Martellus Bennett made three catches for 22 yards in Gronkowski's place.

The Patriots also gained 91 yards on the ground, led by Blount with 67. Dion Lewis also got himself in the offensive mix with 58 yards on 10 touches (six carries, four receptions). 

The Jets, stifled against a packed box throughout, got most of their offensive production from the passing game. Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his best games of the year, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He found Quincy Enunwa from 22 yards out with 10:17 remaining to give the Jets the 17-13 lead they held until Brady spearheaded the comeback.

Enunwa led all players with 109 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Brandon Marshall had a team-high six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Matt Forte finished with 27 yards on 13 carries. It's the third time this season he's been held below 30 yards. 

A 10-win team a year ago, the Jets are sitting at 3-8 and have lost three straight games by one score. They're in all likelihood looking at sweeping personnel changes this offseason, particularly on offense. 

The Patriots remain well on their way to a first-round playoff bye and perhaps the AFC's top seed. The Oakland Raiders are the only other two-loss team left in the conference. New England hosts the Los Angeles Rams next week.

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Postgame Reaction

Brady spoke to reporters about winning his 200th game: "I love winning games. I think that's what it comes down to. That's why we all play, and I've just been a part of so many great teams and played with great coaches. Nobody could win a football game by themselves. It takes everybody...It means I've been around for a little bit and played with a lot of great players on a lot of great teams."

Cornerback Malcolm Butler talked about the win, per Erik Scalavino of Patriots Football Weekly: "It’s tough, man. We know each other… probably don’t get along too well. But they’re a good team when it comes to playing us. Coach [Bill Belichick] said it was going to be a dog-fight and that’s exactly what it was."

Mitchell was happy to have his big game after suffering a key drop earlier: "I have to say, we have a team full of great guys, great friends, who kept me encouraged after I felt pretty miserable after missing that one. Honestly, I was just thankful that our team got another opportunity after I felt like I messed up an opportunity for us. I’m glad our defense gave us another opportunity to have a chance to win that game."

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.