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FOXBORO - The New England Patriots had to win Sunday's divisional game against the New York Jets.

That, according to Patriots' fans - many of whom were still in a state of semi-shock over their team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week. The Patriots beat the Jets 31-14 in front of more than 60,000 fans at a sold-out Gillette Stadium.

"Where do I begin?" asked Stephen Arnold, 37, a computer analyst from Attleboro. "We needed to beat the Jets for so many reasons. First, they beat us in week two of the season, which should be enough of a reason, but then there's the whole thing from last week."

He said that head coach Bill Belichick "probably wanted this win more than anyone."

Arnold was referring to a late-game play against the Colts where Belichick opted to go for a first down on fourth-and-two at his own 28 - a decision that many fans believe sent a lack-of-confidence message to his defense and, ultimately, contributed to the Patriots' 35-34 loss. Michael Coakley, 47, an insurance agent from North Attleboro, was nearly on target with his 30-17 Patriots' win pre-game prediction.

"It was a good game. The Jets did a great job - especially on the defense - but we won, which was important. After the Indianapolis debacle, the Patriots' defense needed to step up and prove that they had a champion defense," said Coakley, a season ticket holder. "This was also important because it kind of puts a nail in the Jets' coffin for any type of wild card in the playoffs."

Coakley attributed the Patriots' loss to the Jets earlier in the season to a rusty Tom Brady. "You have to remember that he was off for a whole year. He didn't have the rapport that he does now with Randy Moss and Wes Welker," he said. "It took him a couple of games to get that back...to get his strength and mojo back."

Matthew Demers, 25, a roofing contractor form Middleboro, echoed Coakley's sentiments about the earlier loss.

"Brady was rusty and our offense wasn't clicking at the time," Demers said. "Also, we didn't have Welker in that game, which obviously made a huge difference. I mean, look at how he did tonight."

Welker, a wide receiver, had 15 receptions for 192 yards in the game, setting a team record for most catches in a non-overtime game.

Bill Arruda, 31, a maintenance worker from Worcester, called the Jets the Patriots' "biggest divisional rival" and said the intensity at Sunday's game was comparable to a Red Sox-Yankees game.

"I mean, it's New York and the rivalry is there," he said. "Always has been, always will be."

John Sebastian, 37, a hospital administrator from Hoboken, N.J., said it was going to be a "long, long ride" back to New Jersey Sunday night. "The ride would have been a lot better if we had won, but we didn't, so it's going to be pretty miserable."

Sebastian, who drove up to Foxboro alone, but met a friend here - a former New Yorker who now lives in Sharon and is a die-hard Jets' fan - said he was happy to see so many Jets' supporters in the stands. "Obviously we were in the minority, but there was a fair amount of green and white, which was good to see," he said.

Jets' wide receiver David Clowney said he "felt" the fans' presence and appreciated their support.

"The New York Jets have the best fans out there," Clowney said after the game. "They support us even when we're losing."

Patriots' wide receiver Matthew Slater might beg to differ, as he said the Patriots' fans are "some of the smartest, best fans out there" and they "know the importance of a game like this."

Patriots' cornerback Darius Butler also had high praise for the fans at Sunday's game, saying he "definitely felt some energy" from the crowd.

"This was an important game," he said. "We were ramped up and the fans were ramped up, which made for a good combination and an even better outcome."