Sports

Defense, Michel lead way as Patriots blank Jets on MNF, roll to 33-0 victory

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points out defensive players during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New England Patriots won emphatically over the New York Jets on Monday night in New Jersey, intercepting Jets QB Sam Darnold four times on the way to a 33-0 route. The win keeps New England's record perfect and moves them to 7-0 on the season.

The defense again was the star of the show, forcing the Jets into five turnovers, four of which came on interceptions. The other takeaway came on a strip-sack by John Simon, which was recovered by Kyle Van Noy.

Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Duron Harmon and Terrence Brooks all hauled in interceptions on the night.

New England's defense also forced a safety with the Jets pinned deep in their own territory midway through the third quarter. Their special teams unit also forced a turnover, recovering a muffed punt late in the final quarter.

The big night began for New England with a 16-play drive that chewed up nearly nine minutes on the clock and ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by RB Sony Michel.

The second-year running back would run in two more scores later in the night - a pair of 1-yard plunges, one coming in the second quarter and the other in the fourth.

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Tom Brady was 31-of-45 on the day with 249 passing yards and one touchdown pass, which was a 26-yard strike to Phillip Dorsett II just before the two-minute warning in the first half. He also threw an interception in the third quarter.

His counterpart, Sam Darnold, was a paltry 11-for-32 with 86 yards and no touchdowns to go along with four interceptions.

New England (7-0) will now return home to face the Cleveland Browns (2-4) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. The Jets move to 1-5 on the season and will take on the Jaguars (3-4) in Jacksonville Sunday afternoon.