Jets Vs. Patriots: What Went Wrong For New England in The AFC Divisional Round?

Just like that, all that seemed so unstoppable was stopped.

The New England Patriots offense, a juggernaut throughout the final eight games of the season which scored the most points in the NFL, was stopped by the tough, talented New York Jets defense. Dead in its tracks.

A lot went right for the Jets today, but even more went wrong for the Patriots.

Uncharacteristic interception, fumble and poor third down-conversion be damned, they still had a chance with just under three minutes remaining in the game. It was not to be.

What went wrong today for the Patriots?

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Pressure On Tom Brady

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets takes the field with his teammates to play against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T

All night long, the Patriots were giving up pressure on Tom Brady.

The Jets defense totally dominated the Patriots offensive line in the battle of the trenches, and the result was five sacks.

The Jets were able to accomplish a lot of what the Browns were able to do, which was to disguise their coverages on every play.

They jammed the Patriots receivers, got them off their routes and forced Tom Brady to look to his second and third options.

This, more than anything else, resulted in the coverage pressures and sacks that we've never become accustomed to from the Rex Ryan Jets defense.

Fake Punt Botched By Patrick Chung

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets is tackled short of the first down by Pat Chung #25 of the New England Patriots and Dane Fletcher #52 of the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette S

It was an uncharacteristic risky call for the Patriots in the playoffs. And were it not for a fumbled snap from Patrick Chung, it would have worked.

But it didn't, and it set up a short field for the Jets offense at the Patriots 38-yard line.

Ultimately, that drive resulted in a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards, who dragged both Devin McCourty and Brandon Meriweather into the end zone with him.

It was a night full of mistakes for the Patriots (and more are to come later), but this one most certainly tops the list.

Losing The Turnover Battle

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

The Patriots had been clean on the turnover sheet for seven consecutive games headed into their previous game against the Dolphins, but lost the turnover battle on Sunday night.

The Brady interception killed an early drive with the promise of a score, and snapped the quarterback's streak of 350 consecutive passes without a pick.

The Jets didn't turn the ball over once.

The talk of the week was that the Jets would have to play a perfect game in order to escape Gillette Stadium with a win, and they did just that.

Mark Sanchez

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets drops back against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Wait...what? Wasn't Mark Sanchez supposedly a liability for the Jets offense?

He would be efficient, but he wouldn't kill you, right? 16-of-25, 196 yards and three touchdowns were numbers more likely to see from Brady than from Sanchez.

But the unlikely happens all the time in the playoffs.

He got some help from his talented receivers, but he played the perfect game that everyone said he would need to play for the Jets to win.

Running Game

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs for a touchdown during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

The Jets running game averaged 4.4 yards per carry, with 119 yards on 27 carries.

It was their ability to win the battle of the trenches that ultimately allowed the Jets offense to click on all cylinders.

For once, the Jets running game complemented the passing game, and not the other way around.

The Jets were able to take advantage of the depleted Patriots defensive line with their Pro Bowl offensive linemen.