The New England Patriots take on the New York Jets in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
A big pile of snow sits in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms his hands during workouts before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A thermometer in the runway displays a temperature in the teens as New York Jets tackle Ben Ijalana (71) and defensive end Xavier Cooper (75) take the field for an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, drops back to pass as New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) rushes the line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, dives over New York Jets safety Marcus Maye for the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, dives over New York Jets safety Marcus Maye for the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back Dion Lewis (33) on his rushing touchdown against the New York Jetsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebackers James Harrison (92) and Elandon Roberts (52) tackle New York Jets running back Elijah McGuire (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola after a reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline while bundled against the cold weather during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes over pressure from New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, center, gains yardage between New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady keeps limber on the sideline in the cold weather during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tackle Cameron Fleming spikes the ball after Dion Lewis scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison, left, tries to fight through a block by New York Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady scrambles away from New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Dion Lewis (AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Rontez Miles, left, reaches for New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Jets nose tackle Steve McLendon (99) puts pressure on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) follows through on a kick as punter Ryan Allen (6) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs from New York Jets safety Rontez Miles (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Eric Lee, right, sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Eric Lee, left, sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Jamal Adams (33) and cornerback Buster Skrine (41) tackle New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, center, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline bundled against the cold weather during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
James Harrison (AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline while bundled against the cold weather during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison (92) is congratulated by members of the End Zone Militia after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Rontez Miles (45) and New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison (92) speak at midfield after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) and New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dion Lewis ran for a touchdown and caught a scoring pass, helping the New England Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC with a 26-6 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
The win clinched the seventh 13-win season for the Patriots (13-3), which is second in NFL history to San Francisco's nine seasons. It was also Bill Belichick's 250th career regular-season win, moving him into a tie with Tom Landry for third all-time among head coaches.
New England has defeated New York in four straight meetings, and the Patriots (13-3) haven't lost to the Jets (5-11) at home during the regular season with Tom Brady starting since 2006. Brady's 13th win as a starter this season tied him with Brett Favre for the most by a starting quarterback at age 40 or older.
Lewis finished with a season-high 26 carries for 93 yards . Brandin Cooks had 11 catches for 79 yards and touchdown for New England, which will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. Tight end Rob Gronkowski was held without a catch for the first time this season. It was only the third time in his career that he was blanked for a game that he played in. It was also the first game in his career he was not the target of a pass for an entire game.
James Harrison, signed by New England last Tuesday after being cut by Pittsburgh, had two sacks — on consecutive plays to end the game — and finished with five total tackles and a forced fumble.
Temperatures dipped into the low-teens at kickoff, but it didn't stop the Patriots from being aggressive at the outset.
They won the coin toss and elected to receive, going away from their typical decision to defer until the second half. Brady and the offense went to work, quickly moving 75 yards in just 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 3-yard TD run by Lewis. The drive included a fourth-down pass conversion, one of three hookups between Brady and Danny Amendola in the series.
Penalties on the Jets' defense aided New England's final two scores of the first half. Safety Marcus Maye was called for a 39-yard pass interference penalty early in the second quarter that set up a 5-yard TD pass from Brady to Cooks that made it 14-3.
Then just before halftime, New York cornerback Juston Burris was flagged for defensive holding on a Patriots' third-down pass attempt. New England got into the end zone three plays later via another 5-yard TD pass, this time from Brady to Lewis.
The Jets' offense was anemic throughout with Bryce Petty playing the entire game at quarterback after it appeared Christian Hackenberg might see his first regular-season action at some point in the finale. New York was 0 for 12 on third down and 0 for 1 in its lone trip into the red zone.
INJURIES
Jets: CB Morris Claiborne left briefly in the first quarter, but was able to return. ... Maye limped off the field in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. ... WR Robby Anderson left after a fourth-quarter hit from Stephon Gilmore to have his head evaluated. Coach Todd Bowles said after the game that Anderson suffered a concussion.
Patriots: LB Elandon Roberts was shaken up on a play in the third quarter.
ECLIPSING 1,000
The Patriots have three players with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in the same season for the first time in franchise history: Lewis, Gronkowski, Cooks.
NO CATCHES
Gronkowski's previous low this season was two catches, in the season-opening loss to Kansas City.
A three-time All-Pro, Gronkowski finished the regular season with 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns. ESPN reported that he was due to receive a $2 million bonus if he caught 80 passes, had 1,200 receiving yards or played in 90 percent of the team's snaps (which he also fell short of). He would also earn the bonus if he is selected to The Associated Press All-Pro team.
FRIGID TEMPS
It was 13 degrees at kickoff, and the Patriots wanted to make sure their visitors knew it.
A thermometer was hung in the Jets' tunnel on Sunday. New York players filed past on their way to and from the field before the game .
It was the coldest regular-season home game in Patriots history. They had a playoff games that was colder — a divisional round game against the Tennessee Titans on Jan. 10, 2004, when it was 4 degrees with a wind chill that made it feel like minus 10.
BELOW 50
Brady's 48.6 completion percentage (18 of 37) marked only the second time this season he completed less than 50 percent of his passes. He completed 44.4 percent (16 of 36) in the Patriots' season-opening loss to Kansas City. Prior to that it hadn't happened since Oct. 20, 2013 in a 30-27 road loss to the Jets.
UP NEXT
Patriots: Have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
