EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In addition to Brandon Meriweather's interception in the third quarter, Adalius Thomas had a big defensive play for New England. With 5:18 to go in the game and his team down by nine, a spot where Brett Favre has had success on many occasions in the past, the Jets were facing second and 3.

Thomas swatted away running back Leon Washington -- who gives up six inches and nearly 70 pounds to the linebacker -- and grabbed Favre's jersey. Washington recovered and tried to keep Thomas away from the quarterback, but Thomas would not let go and ended up taking down both Favre and Washington for a 20-yard loss.

"I have no idea [what happened]; I just know it felt like a long time," Thomas said. "We went in circles like a merry-go-round. I was just trying to hold on; I didn't know Washington was there until we were going down. It was like a slow-motion thing."

New York could not recover from the third and 23, and the Patriots were able to run out the clock.

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG