New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, right, catches a touchdown pass thrown by wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, as New York Jets defenders Bryce Hager, left, and Frankie Luvu give chase in the second half of Sunday's 28-14 New England win in the season finale at Gillette Stadium. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Watch out, Jakobi Meyers may be a quarterback after all.

Well, maybe. The former high school signal caller threw a TD pass to his mentor, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, a trick play that gave the Patriots the lead for good in a 28-14 win over New York Jets in Sunday’s season finale.

“It was pretty special,” Meyers, the Patriots most active receiver down the stretch this season, said. “It was always my dream to be playing quarterback in the first place. To be able to throw a touchdown and throw it to Cam feels pretty good.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said that the team didn’t research Meyers’ high school career but new he could throw the football. He also had a TD pass earlier this season in a win over the Baltimore Ravens.

“We didn’t go back that far,” Belichick said of Meyers’ high school record. “Probably not doing enough homework there. Like I said really, you see a lot of in on the practice field. When receivers run routes and catch the ball, then they turn around and throw it back to the line of scrimmage to the ball boys that are setting up the drills. … doesn’t take too long to see if the guy can throw the ball 20, 30 yards accurately.”

“I was ready for this time,” Meyers said. “The Ravens game, it caught me off guard. I’ like, ‘It’s kind of wet out here, what’s going on? Did we mean to call that?’

“But this time I was ready for it. I knew that Cam was pretty much bigger than everybody in their secondary. All I had to do wat put it in the sky for him and I was hoping he would make the play. I feel like that was a blow to them and we just built up that momentum.”

JETS FIRE GASE, WHAT NOW FOR DARNOLD?

Asked after the game about his Jet coaching future, Adam Gase said, “I’m sure we’ll talk tonight and tomorrow.” That was referring to Jets CEO Christopher Johnson.

They talked, and now Gase is out of a job. The Jets fired their head coach Sunday night.

“While my sincere intentions are to have stability in our organization — especially in our leadership positions — it is clear the best decision for the Jets is to move in a different direction,” Jets chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement issued by the team.

Third year QB Sam Darnold, meanwhile, could be traded if the Jets decide to draft another quarterback. That seemed a certainly had they secured the No. 1 pick and been able to draft Trevor Lawrence. But instead, their 2-14 mark gives them the No. 2 pick. He was asked if he felt this was his last game as the Jets QB.

“I’m not sure,” said Darnold, who was 23 of 34 for 266 yards, a TD and two interceptions. “I think I’m going to live in the moment and just, you know, talk to some of my teammates and coaches after the tough loss and go about it that way. But I think whether I stay, whether I leave, whatever happens I’ll deal with it when it comes.”

BIG PLAY FOR ASIASI

Much maligned Patriots rookie tight end Devin Asiasi caught his first career touchdown pass, a 26 yarder from Newton.

“It’s definitely a great feeling,” Asiasi said. “I think as a collective, having that win and ending off with a win, getting that team win was the best feeling.”

Asiasi said this game was a step forward for him.

“I think it’s just another step in my growth as a player,” he said. “That’s how I’m going to take it. I’m going to approach every win and every loss the same way. I’m going to try to see what I can do better. … I’m going to be humble about it, keep working and keep grinding. I’m going to try to keep writing my name in my spot.”

NFL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SET

The NFL Playoff schedule for Wild Card Weekend is all set, with tripleheaders both Saturday and Sunday:

On Saturday, it’s Colts at Bills, 12:05 p.m. (CBS); Rams at Seahawks, 3:40 p.m. (FOX); and Bucs at Giants or Washington 7:15 p.m. (NBC)

On Sunday, it will be Ravens at Titans, 12:05 p.m. (ESPN); Bears at Saints, 3:40 p.m. (CBS), and finally Browns at Steelers, 7:15 p.m. (NBC).

TOMPA BAY HERE NEXT YEAR

As always, by formula, the Patriots have their home and away opponents set for next season. They play the NFC South, and if Tom Brady stays as expected with Tampa (he is under contract), Brady will make his return to Gillette Stadium. The dates for all the games won’t be announced until likely late April or May.

Home games are Buffalo, Miami, Jets, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Cleveland.

Road games include Buffalo, Miami, Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, and the L.A. Chargers.

FINAL NOTES

The Patriots finished the season with 2,346 yards rushing, fourth most in team history…

This was the fifth straight season the Patriots have swept the two-game season series with the Jets, and Sunday was their 10th straight win over New York…

Chase Winovich had a career-high two sacks yesterday…

Patriots punt returner Gunner Olszewski actually led the NFL in punt return average with 17.3 yards per return…

Patriot defensive back J.C. Jackson finished the season with 11 takeaways – nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

(Material from the Associated Press was also used in this report).

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