EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, including two to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and the New England Patriots took control of the AFC East with a convincing 37-16 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday night.
After the Jets got within a score at 23-16 early in the fourth quarter, Brady coolly led the Patriots (6-3) down the field on an 84-yard drive that was capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to wideout Deion Branch.
New England linebacker Rob Ninkovich sealed the victory — which snapped a two-game skid — on the Jets’ next possession with a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the final quarter.
The game was a showdown for the top spot in the division, but it was no contest as the Patriots took over sole possession by snapping the Jets’ three-game winning streak. It was also the first home loss for the Jets (5-4).
It was the 40th time Brady has thrown for at least 300 yards in a regular-season game, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Joe Montana for eighth place on the NFL’s career list.
Brady reached the milestone midway through the fourth quarter.
Warren Moon is seventh on the list with 49 300-yard games. Peyton Manning and Dan Marino are tied for the most with 63.
Brady also joined New Orleans QB Drew Brees as the only players to throw for 3,000 yards in their team’s first nine games. Brees also accomplished the feat this season.
