Special teams unit dropped the ball

FOXBOROUGH - Among the many what-ifs from the Patriots' 34-31 overtime loss to the Jets Thursday night was how the game might have had a different outcome if the Patriots had been sounder on special teams in the first half.

The Patriots allowed a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Leon Washington in the second quarter that gave New York a 17-6 lead, and the Jets' first two scores were set up when Washington gave them great field position with returns of 30 and 37 yards.

Washington finished with four kickoff returns for 177 yards, a 44.3-yard average (the Jets averaged 31.5 yards overall on six kickoff returns). The Patriots entered the game allowing 23.4 yards per return.

"They made some plays special teams-wise," said Patriots wide receiver Kelley Washington, a member of the kickoff coverage unit. "It's something we have to work on because when the offense is playing like they are and the defense is playing like they were, you can't play like that and just overthrow what the offense and defense [have] done on the field. We can't let them down. That's something where we'll have to look at the film and correct it."

Kelley Washington said that Leon Washington's kickoff return for a touchdown - the first the Patriots have allowed this season - was the result of poor execution.

"Against a returner like that everything has to be perfect because he's so explosive. We weren't in our lanes," said Kelley Washington. "That's just what happens when even one guy gets out of his lane against a good returner like that. It's tough because it kind of changed the momentum of the game."

Safety Ray Ventrone, a staple of the coverage unit, was injured on the opening kickoff and had to leave the game. On Leon Washington's return, defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith was on the coverage team.

"We had some injuries with different things and whoever it may be," said Kelley Washington. "We had to kind of move people around, so we just went out and executed. We're capable of playing good ball special teams-wise. We just had a couple of slipups and it really cost us."

Down and out
One area in which the Jets enjoyed a decisive advantage was on third down. The Patriots were just 4 of 14 on third-down conversions, while the Jets converted 9 of 16, the biggest of which was a third and 15 in overtime.

That play was a backbreaker for the Patriots; instead of them getting the ball with a chance to win, Brett Favre found rookie tight end Dustin Keller for a 16-yard gain to sustain the winning drive.

"Yeah, I think with third down if you don't get off the field, it's going to be hard," said Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green. "It keeps momentum going. When everybody goes back to that third and 15, that was a huge play. Even if you weren't a football fan, you know that we have to get off the field, and we didn't. It was a change of momentum in the game that hurt us."

The Patriots were also hurt by a holding call on Mike Vrabel on third and 6 from the 7 that gave the Jets first and goal instead of forcing them to settle for a field goal. New York ended up taking a 31-24 lead on a 1-yard run by Thomas Jones.

The call seemed dubious at best, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick avoided taking the bait. "It doesn't really matter what I think," he said with a smile.

Morris optimistic
Running back Sammy Morris, who played for the first time since Oct. 20, said yesterday he is hopeful he can move forward from the knee injury that sidelined him for three games.

"I think so," said Morris. "I guess it could be day to day."

Belichick said Morris's five carries (for 14 yards) were more a reflection of the game than the running back's health. Since the Patriots trailed early, they had to go to their two-minute offense, which features Kevin Faulk.

"Had we been in a different mode, I am sure Sammy probably would have gotten more carries, as BenJarvus [Green-Ellis] and Kevin probably would have been in the game a lot less," Belichick said.

Wrap artist
Jerod Mayo's 20 tackles were the most by a Patriot since Roman Phifer had 19 against the Giants Oct. 12, 2003.

"Jerod has been pretty active in all of the games," said Belichick. "He was active [Thursday] night. He's instinctive. He has a nose [for] where the ball is, he gets to it, and he is a good tackler. He doesn't miss many. So, he has been productive for us all year."

Kudos for Keller
Green came away impressed with Keller, who had three catches for 32 yards on the winning drive. "He's a great player," said Green. "He's a receiver playing tight end. He has made some big catches for them this year. He runs fluid, and he was the go-to guy." . . . Benjamin Watson's touchdown reception in the third quarter was the first by a Patriots tight end this season and the first since Watson caught a TD pass in a 56-10 win over the Bills Nov. 18 of last year . . . The Patriots' 511 total yards were the fourth most in franchise history and the most since they set the franchise record of 597 against the Jets in 1979 . . . The Patriots had won an NFL-record eight straight overtime games, including playoffs.