Patriots edge NY Jets in overtime to lead division

MASSACHUSETTS - Agence France-Presse

Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski (R) is tackled by Landry (L) and Trufant (C). EPA photo

The New England Patriots have squandered a double-digit lead but beat the New York Jets in overtime to seize the lead in the NFL’s AFC East division.

New England’s Stephen Gostkowski booted a field goal in overtime, then defender Rob Ninkovich sealed a 29-26 win for the Pats when he sacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and forced him to fumble on Oct. 21.

“It really stings because we played hard throughout the whole game,” said Sanchez. “I was really proud of the way our defense kept us in it.”

Sunday’s action began with all four AFC East teams -- New England, the Jets, Buffalo and Miami -- at 3-3. At the end of the day, New England were on top.

Buffalo lost a heart-breaker at home, where Tennessee’s Matt Hasselbeck threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington on fourth down with 1:03 left in the game to lift the Titans to a 35-34 victory.
The Super Bowl champion New York Giants came out on top in an NFC East division clash against Washington.

Eli Manning connected on a 77-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz with less than two minutes to play to lift the Giants to a 27-23 victory. Oakland also worked over-time, with Sebastian Janikowski’s 40-yard field goal capping an impressive comeback for the Raiders, who rallied for a 26-23 victory over Jacksonville.