National Football League

Patriots frustrate Sanchez, Jets to win

Published Nov. 23, 2009 3:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

For the second straight game, the New England Patriots led 31-14 in the fourth quarter. This time they completed the job.

The defense that Bill Belichick didn't want to put on the field a week earlier had three of its five turnovers in the fourth quarter Sunday in a 31-14 win over the New York Jets. Last Sunday's stunning 35-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts had unleashed criticism of Belichick's decision-making.

Leigh Bodden had three interceptions, starting with a 53-yard touchdown return for the first score of the game.

"There was a lot of emotion from last week, not finishing the game," Bodden said. "We definitely wanted to finish this game."

The defense picked off four of Mark Sanchez's passes and allowed just one touchdown and 226 yards. The victory gave the Patriots (7-3) a two-game lead in the AFC East and sent the Jets (4-6) to their sixth loss in seven games.