FOXBORO -- If you thought that the Jets pulled back after they built their 24-6 first-half lead, think again.

"I promise you we did not change our approach one bit offensively," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "As a matter of fact, we talked about maintaining the approach we had. I thought it was a very effective approach. I thought that we didn't get very much done in the third quarter, which kept putting the defense back out onto the field and they were in a tough spot."

The Patriots only allowed the Jets to obtain one first down on three possessions in the third quarter.

"We just started playing better," Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour said. "Sometimes you just kind of feel the game out, and before we knew it they were up. They got a kickoff return for a touchdown. They came out and were ready to go, and we didn't make the plays we needed to early in the game and we dug ourselves a hole.

"But you've got to like the fact that the team dug its way out of the hole and how we left everything out on the field. But give credit to the Jets. They played a tough football game in a hostile environment on another team's turf. We both fought hard and, like I said, they made more plays than we did."

roblee@projo.com