NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Monday that Jets coaches alerted officials to "several things to watch for" when the Patriots were on special teams before Sunday's 30-27 overtime win.
That included Patriots players pushing each other into an offensive formation during a field-goal attempt. In other words, exactly the type of push Patriots defensive tackle Chris Jones gave a teammate on Nick Folk's first field-goal attempt in overtime on Sunday.
Jones was flagged on the play and Folk's missed 56-yard attempt was wiped off the books. The Jets were marched 15 yards deeper into Pats territory, setting up Folk's 42-yard game-winner four plays later.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick admitted Monday he misinterpreted the rule and coached his players to make that play. Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't want to focus on the game-changing play during his Monday press conference.
"The focus is going to be wherever you guys want it to be," Ryan said, according to Newsday. "But we outplayed New England -- and that's why we won the game."
Ryan -- perhaps surprisingly -- chose not to confirm whether he had spoken with officials about the Patriots' illicit special-teams strategy.
"Let's put it this way, we watch every single play of the opponent," Ryan said. "So you know, we're aware of opponent's tendencies."
Ryan doesn't often play coy, but you can read between the lines here. Score one for Rex.