The New England Patriots scraped to a one-point victory over the New York Jets this evening, as Jonas Gray provided the fireworks to inspire his side to a 17-16 win at the MetLife Stadium in the NFL.
The win also ensured that New England secured a first-round playoff bye.
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The two sides played out a scoreless opening 15 minutes, as both teams tried to make good ground with little success in East Rutherford.
The Patriots finally made something count early at the start of the second when Tom Brady picked out Rob Gronkowski from three yards for the touchdown, before Stephen Gostkowski kicked to make it 7-0.
The Jets managed to pull level not long after, however, when Jeff Cumberland completed a move that saw him combine with Geno Smith from 20 yards, while Nick Folk was left to add the extra and leave things at 7-7.
Folk then went one better just before the end of the half, this time the place-kicker producing from 26 yards to send the Jets into a 10-7 lead.
The Jets kicker continued to be a thorn in New England's side and he returned after the break to kick New York three more in front, before the Patriots responded with a 24-yard field goal from Gostkowski.
With the scores sitting at 13-10 the next move would be crucial and it came in the fourth quarter through Gray, as he finished off a one-yard rush to give the Patriots a slender 17-13 lead.
Folk, clinical all game, set things up for a tense finish by notching a 27-yard field goal with just under eight minutes to go, but the Patriots held on to claim a vital win during the festive period.
Christopher Dodd
