EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Jonas Gray scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter after the Patriots intercepted Geno Smith, and New England clinched a first-round playoff bye with a 17-16 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Tom Brady threw a 3-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski for the Patriots (12-3), who could earn home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if Denver loses to Cincinnati on Monday night.
With the Jets (3-12) leading 13-10 late in the third quarter, Smith’s pass for Jace Amaro hung in the air for an easy interception by Jamie Collins – and led to Gray’s score minutes later.
Nick Folk’s 52-yard field goal attempt could have given New York a lead with just over 5 minutes left, but it appeared to be partially blocked and fell short. Brady and the Patriots were then able to run out the clock for the win.
___
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL