FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Ninkovich recovered a fumble by Mark Sanchez after Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 48-yard field goal in overtime as the New England Patriots held on to beat the New York Jets 29-26 on Sunday.
The Patriots (4-3) moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC East. The day started with all four teams tied at 3-3, but the Jets (3-4) and the Buffalo Bills lost, while the Miami Dolphins were idle.
Gostkowski tied the game with a 43-yard field goal on the last play of regulation.
In overtime, each team gets the ball unless the first team with it scores a touchdown. So the Jets had a chance after the Patriots managed just a field goal. New York moved from its 15 to its 40 before Sanchez lost the ball as he was being sacked and Ninkovich recovered, ending the game.