EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Jets coach Rex Ryan boldly declared that no team gives New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as difficult of a challenge as his team, whether Brady "admits it or not."
It was certainly a struggle for the Patriots in Sunday's 17-16 victory, and it goes without saying that if New England's pass protection doesn't improve, it could be the biggest factor that ends stops the team short of its ultimate goal.
Here are some key statistical notes, based on tracking by ESPN's Stats & Information:
1. Bottom-line results. The Jets held Tom Brady to 23-of-35 passing for 182 yards and tied his season high with four sacks for 36 yards. Brady’s 3.9 yards-per-dropback average was his lowest in a game since Week 1 and only his third game under 4.0 in the last five seasons.
2. Mixing pressure calls. The Jets' mixed pressure well against Brady, sending three or fewer rushers after Brady at a similar percentage to their blitz. Brady's season average is 6.9 yards per dropback, but he was well short of that regardless of how many rushers the Jets sent.
Three rushers -- 10 times (3.9 yards per dropback)
Four rushers -- 23 times (3.9 yards per dropback)
Five rushers -- 8 times (3.8 yards per dropback)
3. Tying season-high sack total. Brady was sacked four times on 41 dropbacks (9.8 percent of dropbacks), his highest sack percentage in a game since Week 8 of 2013 (11.5 percent against Dolphins).
4. Not much happening down the field. Brady’s average throw distance was 5.2 yards downfield, his lowest this season. Brady did not attempt a single pass at least 15 yards downfield for the first time since Week 4 of 2010. Part of it was that he didn't have time.
5. Not afraid to rush just three, dropping eight into coverage. The Jets sent three rushers after Brady on 26 percent of his drop-backs in Week 7, the only other game this season Brady faced three pass rushers on at least 20 percent of dropbacks.
