Jets can't keep up with Patriots, suffer fifth loss in row

The Jets played better than they had the last time they were at MetLife Stadium. They showed up for a little more than a half this time.

But after playing the great Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to a standstill into the third quarter on Sunday, the Jets completely fell apart — especially on defense. They gave up too many big plays, never put any pressure on Brady and dropped their fifth straight game, 27-13.

It’s the Jets’ first five-game losing streak under embattled coach Todd Bowles, whose team and defense aren’t making a strong case for him to return for a fifth season.

“It’s frustrating losing one game, nevertheless five,” he said.

This was the Jets’ first game since their humiliating no-show performance in a 41-10 loss to Buffalo two weeks ago. They vowed to play differently coming out of their bye, and it looked as if the Jets were up for the challenge against their chief rival.

They led 7-0 — their first lead in five games — and were tied at 10 at the half and 13 in the third quarter. But it proved to be a short-lived tease.

The Jets (3-8) didn’t score a touchdown in the last three quarters. The Patriots (8-3) outscored them 17-3 in the second half and wound up with 498 yards of total offense.

“It’s tough,” safety Jamal Adams said. “We don’t want to lose. We’ll go out there and we’re in a tough ballgame like this. We’re playing hard, but we’re just not doing enough. We got to do more.”

The Jets hope Sam Darnold will return for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. His development is all that’s left in another hopeless Jets season that will extend their postseason drought to eight years.

Josh McCown was 26-for-45 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He led the Jets on a touchdown drive on their second series, connecting with Jermaine Kearse for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. It was the first touchdown for each this season.

The Jets didn’t get in the end zone again, though. Their last offensive possession ended at the Patriots’ 2-yard line as a pass to Kearse was broken up.

“It [stinks],” McCown said about the skid. “Individually, it’s a test. It tests who you are and what you’re about and your ability to get back up, come back to work, work hard and be professional.”

Brady, who didn’t practice much during the week because of a knee injury and illness, looked perfectly fine as he carved up the Jets’ defense. He was 20-for-31 for 283 yards and two touchdowns, and the Jets didn’t sack him once. Sony Michel rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Things came crashing down for the Jets after Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal made it 13-all in the third quarter.

On the next series, Brady needed just four plays to lead the Patriots down the field for the go-ahead drive: a 27-yard pass, a 27-yard run, a rush for no gain and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.

“That’s really bad,” defensive end Leonard Williams said. “At least make them work for it.”

Big plays haunted the Jets on the Patriots’ next series.  Michel broke free for a 33-yard carry on the first play. The Jets also allowed a 17-yard completion to Josh Gordon on third-and-10. Michel ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:54 remaining, making it a two-possession game.

“I’m not sure what happened to the defense in the second half,” Williams said.

The Jets’ first lead in more than a month lasted less than three minutes.

The Patriots answered on their next series with Brady and Rob Gronkowski hooking up for a 34-yard touchdown on third down. Gronkowski showed his strength, hauling in the pass and holding on to it after a hard hit by Morris Claiborne.

On the previous play, on which the Patriots were called for offensive pass interference, Bowles opted not to decline the penalty. Instead of facing a fourth down, the Patriots got another third down and converted it for the tying score with 1:11 left in the first quarter.

“A lot of times, it’s the same issues just reoccurring,” Williams said. “It’s just an execution problem at this point. We don’t execute the plays properly. It’s something that’s been our Achilles’ heel all season. If we can’t execute the defense or make the big plays that we need to, great teams like the Patriots are going to beat us. It’s up to us to change that.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.