**
Head Coach Bill Belichick**
Opening Statement...
Another tough game down here. It's good to win. It felt like our team needed to make a lot of plays in the fourth quarter to win and they did. We made them in all three phases. (There were) a lot of key plays at the end. Our players came through on one right after another from the turnover, the touchdown, the sack, long field goal, blocked field goal and running out the clock. We were able to make the plays we needed to make at the end of the game and that's a credit to the players. We'll take this one and move on to Buffalo.
On Danny Amendola...
Danny did a good job. (Brandon) LaFell did a good job. Those guys came up with a couple of real big catches for us in key situations. Danny had a big punt return to give us a little spark, not that we were able to do a whole lot with it, but it gave us a spark in the first half. He came up great, but so did LaFell. We were able to get more consistency offensively in the second half.
On the team making plays in the fourth quarter...
That's the kind of team this is. We all count on each other. Each guy has an opportunity to help us in one way or another. You never know when it is or how it's going to turn out, but when we need them, we need them. They continue to step up. Different guys in different situations in different phases of the game, but we played good complimentary football in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter. That's what we need to do.
On Ryan Allen...
He's really hit the ball well three weeks in a row. He's done a real good job. We had a couple of big field position plays in the whole first half. He's done a good job for us.
On this is the type of game he expected from the Jets...
We've played a lot of games like this against the Jets.
On rotating offensive tackles in the game...
They've got a real good front. We used Nate (Solder) some at tight end and Cam (Cameron Fleming) a little bit, but mostly Nate. We rotated the guard situation with Josh (Kline) and Cam Fleming. Left guard for Josh and right guard for Cam and (Ryan) Wendell flipped back to left guard. We had a couple of different combinations on the line. They (the Jets) were looking to battle. They have a lot of good players up there. They're well coached. They have a good front that's hard to block. We battled.
On Vince Wilfork's blocked field goal...
I coached special teams for a significant part of my career. I know how that goes. When you see a guy block a kick or get pressure in a certain area, you try to stop that and that usually creates opportunities for somebody else. We've gotten it from different guys in different gaps. If the team concentrates too much on trying to stop one guy and there's an opening somewhere else, we've got to be able to take advantage of that. We had a stand right there before the snap and changed our alignment a little bit. It was a long kick like the one we had in New England Like Chris (Jones) did, Vince got his hand up and the ball was a little low. The key to blocking the kick was being in front of the ball. Vince got himself there and made the play.
On the sack by Dont'a Hightower...
It was a real big play. That was a look we hadn't run all game. I though Matt (Patricia) made a great call in that situation. The sack, I'm not going to say knocked them out of field goal range, but made it a much tougher field goal. It looked like they were going to punt it there with the timeout. It looked like they changed their mind and kicked it but I think those yards had a lot to do with their strategy and the changes there in the end helped us a little bit. The kicked forced a bit lower and had (a) lower trajectory, but that was a big play. We had a number of big plays today defensively. It wasn't perfect, but we cut down on penalties on defense, so that was encouraging.
On how important the Buffalo game is...
Every game is important. You're always playing for something. Buffalo has a good football team. They had a big win last week against Green Bay. We had a tough game with them earlier in the year. I have a lot of respect for that football game. It seems like they've gotten better over the course of the season, so I'm sure we'll have our hands full. We've got to turn the page quickly and get on to them and deal with what this week is and the challenges. We have to have the same week of preparation. It's the same for every team in the league. We have to do a good job of (preparing) and be ready to go. Buffalo is a good football team.
**
Quarterback Tom Brady**
On the team making big plays when it was needed...
We made plenty of good ones in the fourth quarter to come from behind. That was great. Defensively, we played great again. I'm glad it came out the way that it did, it makes for a better Christmas. It's always tough to get a win here, they're a good team. They always play us pretty hard. We got their best today. We obviously didn't do a very good job there in the first three quarters. We found a little rhythm there in the second half and got some points on the board. (We) made some plays at the end. It's about making the critical plays and we found a way to do it.
On his run...
I just hope I can keep doing it. If I can make one or two of those a game, it helps. I thought I had an opportunity to make a couple more that I just missed on. I scrambled out there and I had Shane (Vereen) in the end zone open and I threw it at his feet. I would have loved to hit that one. They're a good team, they challenge you in a lot of ways and certainly they have a good rush. They have some real good guys, some good matchups. They always do every week, get a lot of pressure. It kind of kept us off balance early and we figured (out) a way to settle it down a little bit in the second half and we played a little bit better.
On what it means to win close division games...
They are slim margins, it always comes down to the last play. I just wish we would play better for 60 minutes. We just haven't figured out a way to play against these guys as well as we possibly can. We have to keep fighting, sometimes you have to grind them out. It's tough to win games in the NFL, especially on the road against division opponents, division rivals. We have a big one coming up next week and we have to finish strong at home in the division. It would be great to get to 5-1, especially after losing the first division game. To win five straight, that would be great.
On the hurry up offense in the second half...
That was good. We got into a little rhythm there. I think it settled a few things down. We have to sustain it and get it in the end zone down there. We kind of came up short on that third and one, third and two, whatever it was. We just have to finish those drives, especially key drives like that where you can finally get a little momentum, a little rhythm. It's a good defense, they challenged us. We had a long field all day, we had a couple good short fields that we took advantage of. The defense really stepped up when we needed them too.
On the Jets stylistic defense...
It could be. I think this is a team that does a lot of things well. They have good scheme, good players, a good rush, good in the middle of the defense, good middle linebacker, good safeties. The corners played well today. I just think we just got their best and I think we kind of sputtered there and got out of rhythm. We finally found a little rhythm there in the second half and scored enough points.
On the passing game...
We just weren't very productive in the pass game in general. Whether it was really Gronk (Rob Gronkowski), (Brandon) LaFell or Danny (Amendola). We just really didn't a rhythm all day.
On Amendola...
He did a great job and he's been really looking for this opportunity. I thought he did a great job in there in the role that he played. He's a very good player for us. He did a good job returning some great kicks and punts. It will be good to get Jules (Julian Edelman) back next week. Hopefully, he can get back next week.
On the interception...
It's a comeback, I just couldn't hit it. I hate to do that, I hate to have those things come up. I'm glad our defense held and ended up working out for us in a weird way. I just wish those things wouldn't happen.
On why they use a faster tempo more often...
That's a good question. I think there are defiantly times we do a good job of it. I don't know. That's a good question. We do it at different times and sometimes it works. I don't know.
On being sacked four times and the offensive line...
I think they're giving good protection. I just think our communication wasn't great. We all just weren't on the same page. When you do that, especially against a team who moves a lot of guys in and out of their defensive front and they blitz linebackers and safeties. They have a lot of guys coming. Our communication needs to be on point and it just kind of sputtered. We need to do a better job of that, especially here down the stretch.
On Vince Wilfork's blocked field goal...
(It was) awesome. He's always a big time playmaker for us. He's a great player and he always makes great plays. You really count on those guys, especially when the offense wasn't doing as well. To get plays like that from Vince, Jamie Collins, (Dont'a) Hightower, (Darrelle) Revis, (Brandon) Browner and all those guys in there. They're doing a great job.
On Bolden's run...
(It was) just a phenomenal run. He's a great back. It's just great to give him the ball. He has just great explosion. He can turn the corner. His role on special teams is huge. He's just a player for us. Anytime he gets the opportunity or his number gets called, he always takes advantage of it. He made some great runs tonight.
On how exhausting the Jets defense is...
It's that, it's a smart defense, really quality players on the defensive line, on the linebacker level. They've played together for a long time. They get pressure on you. They kind of get you off balance early and then you're thinking about things all day. It keeps you out of rhythm. I think we did some things with the tempo to settle it down (and) to find a little rhythm. We just didn't score enough points or a lot points. We have to do a better job in what we do.
**
Wide Receiver Danny Amendola**
On whether it was important for him to get off to a hot start...
Yeah. Anytime you get into a rhythm early it's great. But you have to play four quarters.
On he believed that he got the first down on the 3-and-7 at the end of the game...
I don't know, it was close. I thought the spot was going to be close. It came down to a review. It was enough to get us the first down. So we will take it.
On if he was looking forward to today with the possibility of more catches with Julian Edelman out...
Absolutely. It's a rough game. Some guys go in, some guys go out. Everyone has a job to do. Just trying to do my job.
On if he struggles with confidence not playing much each week...
You have a job to do every week. You have a role on the team if you're suited up. You have something to do within the game plan. You have to do your job. Whatever it is. Never doubt yourself.
On the play of the defense...
Huge play by Jamie Collins. Huge interception. We have a great defense. Those guys play so hard. I'm really excited to watch them play.
On importance of getting the ball in plus territory to start a drive...
It's huge. It's a huge momentum shift. It's a huge switch of field position. It's huge for our offense.
On the challenges of playing a team like the Jets at this part of the season...
This is the NFL. Every team in the NFL is really good. Really good players and really good coaches. They all work really hard. To come out with a victory is great. We are excited to go back to Foxborough and get ready for next week.
On having a first round bye means at this time of year...
Right now were focused on our last game. We have to go to work. We kind of access the situation as we go and go from there. We are going to work hard and try to get ourselves in the right position to win games. That's really all.
**
Cornerback Brandon Browner**
On the play of the defense...
They brought us all together in the offseason and we are starting to step up. The guys up front are getting pressure on the quarterback and making our job in the secondary easy. We been able to mix things up with both man and zone and it's been difficult on the quarterback.
On playing the Jets...
It's the Jets and the Patriots. The Jets based on their record, from the outside looking in, we should have rolled those guys. But we knew going in it was going to be a tough battle. It played out exactly the way we thought it would be, a tight football game.
On the lateral from Jamie Collins...
We are trying to make a play out there, but I'm only getting one yard every time we do it. Hopefully I can break one.
On making big plays in key moments...
Hats off to the guys I'm playing with. We are well coached. We play situational football. Coaches put us in situations throughout the week, and then we see it in games.
**
Tight End Rob Gronkowski**
On if there is a concern regarding the slow starts...
Yeah, we just have to come out and execute. We have to play better from the start of the game. No doubt about that. Personally, I need come out faster and play better. As an offense as a whole we have to start off better.
On if the Jets defense covered well...
Yeah. You have to give them credit. They are a tough football team. They have a really good defense. Our defense played super well and kept us in the game. Which ultimately lead us to victory. The Jets have a really good defense. We have to go out and be ready. Be prepared and be ready for anything.
On what to do to get their offensive rhythm back...
We just have to stick together. Like always. Win or lose. We just have to go out next week and practice hard. Execute hard and get all the timing down in practice. That's where it all starts. Just like any other week. We have to move on. Enjoy this victory tonight and work hard this week coming up.
On executing against teams like this late in the season...
The win is huge. It's what we came here to do. It was definitely a good team win. But overall the defense played super well. No doubt about that. Shout out to them. They had an excellent game. We just have to go out as an offense and execute the whole game.
On continuing to make big plays late in games...
Just going out to practice every week. Listening to our coaches. They know a lot about football. That is why they are our coaches. Just have to go out, listen to them. Practice hard. Work hard. And execute as a team.
On not caring about style points...
Anyway to get that victory. You can't ask for anything else. We came here to get the W, and we did. They are a very good team. It was a dog fight the whole time.
On the important of Vince Wilfork's blocked field goal...
It was huge. That is why we call football the game of inches. He tipped it with his finger. It was a huge play by Vince. You have to give him props. He's a great player. Our defense played really well.
**
Cornerback Darrelle Revis**
On clinching a first round bye...
It's great. We are just trying to achieve our goals. It was tough today. We fought hard, made adjustments, and hung in there for the win.
On if he had any exchange with Rex Ryan...
I just told him good luck, that it was good to see him and that was it. I was just showing him respect for coaching me in the past.
On his reaction if Rex Ryan is fired...
That's not my focus or concern. I have to continue to focus on what we are doing here in New England.
On making plays in key moments...
Like I said, we made adjustments when we needed to and made plays.
On Nick Mangold being injured...
It was very tough. You saw the crowd of players on both teams around him and that's because everyone has a lot of respect for Nick and what he has done in this league. We are former teammates and it was devastating to see him go down. He was grabbing his leg and screaming so you knew it was serious. You don't want that to happen to a guy like him, he has great character and I know him personally. My heart goes out to his family.
On the mental toughness of the Patriots...
Through a season there will be ups and downs. When we played the Jets in the first game it was tough. During tough games you need mental toughness, and we show it. The game we showed the most toughness is the Green Bay game where we fought hard but just didn't make enough plays. It comes down to the wire sometimes and that's when the great teams win those games.
On winning division games...
Division games are always tough and it doesn't matter what the records are. The opponent could have a losing record or vice versa, it doesn't matter. These are the games that you need and they always come down to the wire.
**
Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork**
On blocking the field goal...
I just filled a soft A-gap, making sure that I was legal, not covering up the center and at the same time, being able to get vertical in that lane. I felt that I had a good shot of getting some penetration, so it worked out well. That is just one of the plays that (we had) opportunities on. I had a good opportunity to make a play and I did for the team. It was nothing special that I did. I just penetrated a little bit and got my hands up and got a piece of it. I'm glad it helped my team win a ball game. That is what it is all about, the wins, and we walk away with another one.
On if a game like this makes them feel better moving forward...
There were certainly some things that we definitely have to clean up. We definitely have to get better in some situations, some certain things that we did, we can clean up. The good thing about it is we can clean them up. (We) get back to work tomorrow, get home and watch the film tomorrow, come in and get ready for another tough division game against Buffalo, a team that should be playing now. They have a lot of stuff riding on them winning out, so we understand that. It is going to be another tough game. It's not the end of the season, it is a division game at home. So we have to be ready to play, but at the same time we have to be able to do some things a little differently, play well, better in certain areas and hopefully we can get the job done moving forward.
On what it does for a team's confidence to win a divisional game...
It just shows the character of your team, the build-up of your team. You can go all game, three quarters, four quarters, all the way down to 58 minutes and sometimes it comes down to one minute or two minutes in the ball game that is really going to define the outcome of that game. Tonight was one of those nights, just fourth quarter making plays down the stretch, on defense not being able to give up touchdowns in the red area and offense being able to give us a score. Then coming back, we throw a pick, stop them, force them to kick, so that whole sequence played out pretty good for us and we executed well. We stood up and executed well. It just shows me that the guys work their tail off through the week. Sometimes we call a play once a game and it is at a critical moment and we have to be able to perform it. We have to be able to execute it and did today. A lot of the credit goes to this team, not just me making that play, but this team down the stretch being able to make the plays that we needed to make just enough to win ball games, but we definitely have to play better down the road.
