The Patriots gave the Jets the ball, and New York might carry it right into the playoffs.
Eric Decker's 6-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of overtime -- after New England stunningly chose to kick off -- lifted the Jets to a 26-20 victory Sunday that put New York in position to make the playoffs.
A win next week at Buffalo gives the Jets a wild-card berth.
New England (12-3) won the OT coin toss and elected to kick to the Jets (10-5). Patriots coach Bill Belichick said there was "no confusion" on the call; he'd done it once before in 2013, but a hefty wind was involved against Denver. That decision worked, this one flopped.
New York used a career-long 48-yard reception by Quincy Enunwa and a 20-yard pass to Brandon Marshall to move into scoring position. And then, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Decker on a fade behind Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for New York's fifth straight victory.
Marshall had two touchdown catches and also became the first NFL player with 100 receptions in six seasons. Fitzpatrick tied a franchise record with 29 TD throws this season.
Tom Brady hit James White for a 9-yard score with 1:55 to go, forcing OT. That was the only drive on which Brady got comfortable against an aggressive defense that pressured and hit him all game.
