EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- After the Jets beat the Patriots in overtime thanks to a six-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Eric Decker, Jets wideout Brandon Marshall ran into Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels was Marshall's head coach while both were with the Broncos in 2009, and he approached Marshall while players and coaches from both sides shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
"After the game Josh McDaniels came up to me, my old ball coach in Denver, and I asked 'What were you guys thinking?' " Marshall joked. "He explained to me the situation a little bit but I didn't believe him."
Marshall's tone was light, but what he asked McDaniels was probably something similar -- perhaps a cleaner version -- to what Patriots fans were asking their television screens when Bill Belichick opted to kick the ball away to begin the overtime period.
Asked again about New England's decision to kick it off in overtime, Marshall had nothing but praise for the Patriots and the savvy of their coaching staff.
"They're so smart over there," Marshall said. "Coach Belichick is so smart. It wasn't serious what Josh told me. Their offense only scored one time or something all day. They wanted to play the field position game. Have us go three and out. Possibly punt and win field position, then go home. It was just bad timing for them."
After taking the ball to begin the extra period, the Jets needed just five plays to travel 80 yards and score the game-winner. One of those plays was a 20-yard completion to Marshall that set up Decker's touchdown.
New England Patriots
Marshall finished the game with eight catches for 115 yards and two scores, setting the Jets single-season record for receptions in the process. He has recorded 101 grabs in 15 games.