Morning Sports Update
“This is embarrassing for the Jets defense.”
Geno Smith reacts after a play in the fourth quarter during the Jets’ loss to the Patriots. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
October 19, 2026 | 10:42 AM
3 minutes to read
Damian Woody’s thoughts on the Jets: During the Patriots’ 26-19 win over the Jets on Sunday, one former player had an interesting perspective.
Damian Woody, ex-Patriots first-round pick (who won two Super Bowls in New England), is also a former Jets offensive lineman. The former Boston College standout began his career with the Patriots, and ended it with three seasons in New York (not including four season in between spent with the Lions).
Yet as the former Patriot and Jet surveyed Sunday’s game, he was left with a distinctly familiar takeaway from a New York standpoint.
“This is embarrassing for the Jets defense,” Woody said in a social media post during the game. “Replacement [offensive line] and they’re milking clock all the way down.”
It was a reference to the Patriots missing multiple starters during the game, yet being able to run the ball late in the game, helping to secure the win.
He followed up with additional criticism of the Jets’ defense, which notched zero sacks.
“I’ve got nothing. Pats down half their OL & still got it done,” he wrote. “End of half is atrocious and Jets didn’t get ANY pressure on Drake Maye. It’s just not good enough.”
I’ve got nothing. Pats down half their OL & still got it done. End of half is atrocious and Jets didn’t get ANY pressure on Drake Maye. It’s just not good enough
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) October 18, 2026
With the defeat, the Jets fell to 2-4 on the season. Despite the seemingly salvageable record (especially given that New York won only three games through the entirety of the 2025 season), Woody thinks the team needs to be held more accountable, starting with the players.
“I know it’s easy to blame the coaching staff and they’re definitely culpable but when do the players stand up and say enough is enough?” Woody asked. “At the end of the day the players are the ones out there.”
The Jets will have a quick chance to bounce back on Sunday, when the 0-5 Dolphins show up at MetLife Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Trivia: Damian Woody was one of two Patriots first-round picks in 1999. Can you name the other?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Linebacker from Ohio State.
Scores and schedules:
The Patriots defeated the Jets 26-19 on Sunday to move to 4-2 on the season. New England will have a quick turnaround to face the Bears in Chicago on Thursday night.
Tomorrow, the Celtics tip off the regular season against the Pistons in Detroit at 3 p.m.
The Bruins also play on Tuesday, facing the Stars in Dallas at 8 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
The Patriots’ postgame locker room scene: Some sights and sounds from after the win against the Jets.
Gabe Jacas background: An interesting breakdown of how a Patriots rookie is leveraging (pun intended) his wrestling background to excel on the football field.
On this day: In 2004, the Red Sox defeated the Yankees 4-2 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. From Curt Schilling’s bloody sock to Alex Rodriguez’s slap, the game was filled with iconic moments embedded in the larger historical event of Boston’s rally from an 0-3 series hole. With the win, the Red Sox prepared for Game 7, in which they would prevail (and go on to reverse “The Curse” to win a first World Series in 86 years).
Daily highlight: Brighton’s Diego Gomez made this half-field goal look almost easy during the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Trivia answer: Andy Katzenmoyer
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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