New England Patriots vs. New York Jets: 2015 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-27, the New York Jets took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 26–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with +5.12 total EPA, and +6.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Marshall (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.50 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+37.6% win probability) landed in overtime when New York Jets changed the game: (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa to NE 30 for 48 yards (27-T.Wilson).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Marshall · New York Jets · Receiving · +11.50 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +5.90 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Fitzpatrick · New York Jets · Passing · +5.12 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
5. 5 J. White · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
6. 6 Q. Enunwa · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Powell · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.05 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Decker · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.00 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New York Jets — B. Marshall (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q2 32:00)
• New York Jets — B. Marshall (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q3 24:19)
• New England Patriots — J. Collins (Q3 18:31)
• New England Patriots — J. White (T. Brady pass) (Q4 2:00)
• New York Jets — E. Decker (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (OT 12:27)

Field goals

• New York Jets — R. Bullock (Q1 48:22)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 38:50)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 19:59)
• New York Jets — R. Bullock (Q4 13:33)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 3–0. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q1 48:22) — (3:22) 8-R.Bullock 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley..

The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 17 (Q2 38:50) — (8:50) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q2 32:00); New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 31:57) — 8-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–7. New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 33 (Q3 24:19) — (9:19) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 15-B.Marshall for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 24:13) — 8-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 26 (Q3 19:59) — (4:59) 3-S.Gostkowski 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 75 (Q3 18:31); New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q3 18:21) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the NE 31 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) 8-R.Bullock 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 9 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-J.White for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q4 1:55) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Overtime: New York Jets won the period 6–0. New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 6 (OT 12:27) — (12:27) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 87-E.Decker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New York Jets (OT 14:33) — (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa to NE 30 for 48 yards (27-T.Wilson). [WPA +37.6% · EPA +3.61]
• New England Patriots (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski to NYJ 9 for 26 yards (25-C.Pryor). [WPA +19.5% · EPA +3.58]
• New York Jets (Q3 18:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick sacked at NYJ 16 for -9 yards (93-J.Sheard). FUMBLES (93-J.Sheard) [95-C.Jones], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at NYJ 14. 91-J.Collins for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Rep [WPA -14.8% · EPA -7.28]
• New England Patriots (Q3 28:30) — (13:30) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left intended for 87-R.Gronkowski INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Revis at NYJ 21. 24-D.Revis to NYJ 39 for 18 yards (19-B.LaFell). [WPA -10.6% · EPA -5.60]
• New York Jets (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) 8-R.Bullock 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +1.66]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New York Jets (Q3 18:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick sacked at NYJ 16 for -9 yards (93-J.Sheard). FUMBLES (93-J.Sheard) [95-C.Jones], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at NYJ 14. 91-J.Collins for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Rep [WPA -14.8% · EPA -7.28]
• New England Patriots (Q3 28:30) — (13:30) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left intended for 87-R.Gronkowski INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Revis at NYJ 21. 24-D.Revis to NYJ 39 for 18 yards (19-B.LaFell). [WPA -10.6% · EPA -5.60]
• New York Jets (Q3 24:19) — (9:19) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 15-B.Marshall for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +4.36]
• New York Jets (OT 14:33) — (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa to NE 30 for 48 yards (27-T.Wilson). [WPA +37.6% · EPA +3.61]

Quarterback report card

R.Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) · 45 dropbacks · 57.8% completion · +6.4% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.12 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.90 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New England Patriots +0.03, New York Jets +0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +2.12 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 11 drives, +5.57 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New York Jets leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Marshall (New York Jets) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Fitzpatrick (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 48:22 · NE 12 · Score 0-3
   (3:22) 8-R.Bullock 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
2. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 38:50 · NYJ 17 · Score 3-3
   (8:50) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · NE 2 · Score 3-9
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 15-B.Marshall for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and t
4. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 31:57 · NE 15 · Score 3-10
   8-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
5. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 24:19 · NE 33 · Score 3-16
   (9:19) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 15-B.Marshall for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 24:13 · NE 15 · Score 3-17
   8-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 19:59 · NYJ 26 · Score 6-17
   (4:59) 3-S.Gostkowski 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 18:31 · NE 75 · Score 12-17
   (3:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick sacked at NYJ 16 for -9 yards (93-J.Sheard). FUMBLES (93-J.Sheard) [95-C.Jones], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at NYJ 14. 91-J.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 18:21 · NYJ 15 · Score 13-17
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
10. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q4 13:33 · NE 31 · Score 13-20
    (13:33) 8-R.Bullock 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · NYJ 9 · Score 19-20
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-J.White for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 1:55 · NYJ 15 · Score 20-20
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
13. New York Jets TD (+6) — OT 12:27 · NE 6 · Score 20-26
    (12:27) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 87-E.Decker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.