Must-read recap: Tom Brady rebounds in Patriots' win over Jets

I didn't buy the "there's nothing to be learned from this game" mumbo jumbo. We needed to see Tom Brady go off. This game could be against toddlers and we should still be relieved to see he's not too hurt to look like Brady.

The Patriots crushed a Jets team that stopped going to meetings last week and sure as hell wasn't going to go to a game. New England now has at least the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

I don't care that this game was against a team that mailed it in: Brady's performance over the second half of the season was concerning enough that a good game against a trash team would be an encouraging sign. 

That proved to be exactly what Brady provided. He threw for three touchdowns in the first half, though one of them came on an ugly short drive in which he didn't see a wide open Rob Gronkowski, overthrew a wide open Chris Hogan and was bailed out by a hilariously typical roughing the passer penalty on the Jets after he threw the ball away on third down. 

Brady's performance hardly answered the questions about his health and his season as a whole, but it was an encouraging sign that was long overdue. Sunday -- which saw him throw four touchdowns -- marked Brady's second game with at least three since Week 7. 

Maybe I'm too scarred by Brady's drop-off and injury, but I saw a lot of reaction like this and found it excessive.

bRaDy iSn’T tHe SaMe GuY

— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) December 30, 2018

1. Brady’s knee isn’t injured, moving normal...one might even say well
2. Phillip Dorsett is really good at football, makes plays when he plays
3. Happy New Year#Patriots #NYJ #NEvsNYJ

— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) December 30, 2018

Meh. Two targets. He caught them both for a total of 24 yards.

How the game didn't tell you anything because the Jets stink. I disagree. There was still a lot to learn about the Patriots even going into Week 17. You learned at least a little something given how much Brady distributed the ball (seven players had receptions for the Pats). 

Also, the status of Devin McCourty, who left the game and did not return.

Tom Brady threw the ball to Chris Hogan. 

Michel needed 119 rushing yards to get to 1,000 on the season. He did not get it. Michel carried the ball 14 times for 50 yards.

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