EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Mike Gillislee spent part of his Sunday afternoon plowing through holes in the Jets’ defense and another chunk of it in the doghouse.
The first-year Patriots running back fumbled on the team’s second possession of the game, halting what had been a promising drive at the New York 22. The Jets made it hurt when they converted the turnover into a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Gillislee was banished to the bench for 34 plays before returning late in the third quarter, when he noticeably was running with both arms around the ball.
“As a running back, you’re always looking for opportunities, but I put the ball on the ground and I can’t do that,’’ said Gillislee. “I just have to get ready to go back to work. But the offensive line did a great job and we just ran behind them.’’
Gillislee, who ran for 44 yards on 10 carries, was part of an attack that rushed for 118 yards on 25 carries. Dion Lewis (11 rushes, 52 yards) and James White (3 for 23) also were productive.
Gillislee, the team’s leading rusher with 290 yards, said there was no time for sulking after his fumble.
“That wasn’t my first time going through adversity like that — it’s football, things happen,’’ he said. “It’s all about what you do after that. Just focus and keep it together and protect the ball.’’
Langi in car crash
Patriots rookie Harvey Langi suffered neck and head injuries in the three-car motor vehicle accident he was involved in Friday night in Foxborough, according to a report in the Deseret News of Salt Lake City.
Langi’s wife, Cassidy, fractured both her hips, suffered broken ribs, and was being evaluated for internal bleeding, according to her father, Rick Wahlin.
“They are torn up but very lucky to be alive,’’ Wahlin told the Deseret News. “All Harvey has cared about is how Cassie is doing, that’s been his biggest concern, and we are grateful for him and all the prayers that have been directed toward our families.’’
Coach Bill Belichick opened his postgame news conference by addressing the accident.
“Just wanted to, on behalf of the team, express the thoughts and prayers that are with Harvey and Cassidy Langi,’’ said the coach. “We pray that they’re being looked over and that they’re doing better. It sounds like they are, but that was a very unfortunate situation and one that I think shook everybody in the organization.’’
Langi, who is from Utah, played at Brigham Young University.
All-time leader
Tom Brady recorded regular-season win No. 187 and now sits alone atop the all-time list, breaking a tie with Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Brady extended his record for most regular-season and playoff wins combined with 212.
“I wish we could have done better, but we won, so [there is] probably a lot to learn from it,’’ said Brady, asked about the milestone.
Belichick took a big-picture look at the record.
“Great, that’s what we’re all here for is to win games,’’ the coach said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have Tom at the helm for a lot of those wins.’’
Joining the (300) club
Josh McCown became the sixth straight quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards against the Patriots, throwing for 354 and a pair of touchdowns.
The Patriots did get him for four sacks, including a pair by Kyle Van Noy and one each from Malcom Brown and Dont’a Hightower.
“We did a decent job of getting back there [in the pocket], we missed a couple sacks — he’s an elusive guy, you can say whatever you want about him — he’s a really good quarterback,’’ said Hightower.
McCown dropped back 47 times, in part because the New England run defense was stout (74 yards on 24 carries).
Harris healthy scratch
Veteran linebacker David Harris was a healthy scratch for the second time this season as the former longtime Jet returned to MetLife Stadium. Harris, who played his first 10 seasons in the league with the Jets, has been on the field for just seven snaps this season.
In addition to Harris, offensive linemen Cameron Fleming and Cole Croston were game-day scratches. Fleming, normally the first tackle off the bench and also a jumbo tight end on occasion, had been active for the last four games. Croston, a rookie free agent, hasn’t suited up for a game.
The other inactives were previously announced: cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (concussion) and Eric Rowe (groin); running back Rex Burkhead (ribs); and Langi.
Belichick was asked about Gilmore’s absence. He hadn’t been listed on the injury report with a concussion, so his scratch was a surprise. He did collide helmet-to-helmet with Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans two weeks ago.
“We followed the rules to the letter on the injuries likes we always do,’’ said the coach. “We reported it exactly how it happened.’’
Branch back in action
Defensive tackle Alan Branch returned to action after being left off the Tampa trip. He was in the regular rotation and finished with one tackle, when he dropped Elijah McGuire for a 1-yard loss in the second quarter “I jumped the gap and hit the running back, tried to get his legs and get in on the tackle,’’ said Branch. “I definitely enjoyed myself during the game. It felt good to be out there with the boys.’’ . . . Ryan Allen averaged just 40.0 yards on four punts but buried one inside the 5-yard line in the first quarter and turned in a clutch 48-yarder in the fourth . . . The Patriots extended their road winning streak to 11 games.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.