Jets Have Opportunity but Fall to Patriots Kenbrell Thompkins, covered by the Jets rookie cornerback Dee Milliner, appeared to catch a pass in the end zone during the second quarter, but the ruling was overturned after a review. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Through the rain and through the wind, the Jets could see first place in the A.F.C. East. They saw their defense swarm. They saw New England's offense sputter. They saw an end zone that, if breached, would catapult the Jets to a place that defied logic and good sense and anyone's expectations but their own. That view started fading when Geno Smith threw his first interception of the fourth quarter. It grew murkier, as if shrouded by fog, with his second. It altogether disappeared with his third, which came with less than a minute remaining in a 13-10 defeat against the depleted Patriots, their fifth straight loss to New England, on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. The defeat, marred by a late melee along the Patriots" sideline, will be remembered as a teachable moment for Smith, who was making his second N.F.L. start, but also as an opportunity squandered. "I'm pretty sure when we watch the film," linebacker David Harris said, "we're going to be sick to our stomach because we know that we gave them a free one." Rare are the times when the Jets play Tom Brady and his primary receiving targets are Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins. Or when Brady completes fewer than 50 percent of his passes (19 of 39), which he had not done since Week 15 in 2009, according to ESPN Stats and Information. Or when New England converts 4 of 19 third down; gains only 54 yards rushing; records all of nine first downs; and does not score for the final 35 minutes 5 seconds. "Yeah," Coach Rex Ryan said. Whatever that's worth. He added, "All that matters is the wins and losses, and, shoot, I'm paid to win." Nothing about Thursday's game provided him comfort - not the defensive performance, not the margin of defeat, not the 1-1 record, which they will tote into a Sept. 22 game against Buffalo at MetLife Stadium. Usually Ryan offers an opening statement during his postgame news conferences. He did not on Thursday. It was all still so raw, so visceral. The critical first-quarter miscues - one physical, one mental - that produced 10 New England points. His benching of the rookie cornerback Dee Milliner, punishment for a few mental blunders. An injury to the superb defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, who hurt his right ankle. The drops by Jets receivers - how many, Ryan lost count - that slowed their offensive rhythm. "Just a lot of bad football on our part," said the left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was ejected along with Willie Colon for their roles in the scuffle that erupted after Aqib Talib's victory-sealing interception (the Patriots took exception to what they perceived as a late hit by Nick Mangold). Smith took the loss just as personally as Ryan. As players around him dressed and filed out of the locker room, Smith sat at his locker, elbows resting on his knees, staring at no one and everyone. A few teammates spoke to him directly afterward, offering words of encouragement. "You could see it in his face," defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said. It was a cruel lesson, but perhaps a vital one for the Jets and for Smith. Not every week can they benefit from an inexplicable mistake by their opponent to snatch victory from sure defeat, as happened last week against Tampa Bay. Smith was hailed as a potential savior in that victory, an embodiment of their revival. The Jets remain impressed by his poise and enthralled by his ability, and realize there will be tradeoffs on days like Thursday. In his first game against a Bill Belichick defense, Smith, who completed 15 of 35 passes for 214 yards, acquitted himself well through three quarters, drawing the Jets to 13-10 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Bilal Powell with 5:05 remaining in the third. His next five drives: two punts, three interceptions, including an ill-advised misfire in the red zone that was grabbed, off a tip, by Talib, who picked off Smith twice and also forced a fumble. Another drive stalled out, with 4:29 left, when Alfonzo Dennard slipped inside Clyde Gates for the interception. "I don't have to look at this as a learning experience because I think I'm ready for this - I know I'm ready for this," Smith said. So I have to go out there and take care of the ball and give us a chance to win.