Drake Maye threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns as the New England Patriots beat Jets 26-19 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, improving to 4-2 and moving within one game of first place in the AFC East. The New York Jets dropped to 2-4 despite 252 yards and a touchdown from Geno Smith.
New England scored 17 unanswered points across the first and second quarters. Maye connected with Romeo Doubs on a 42-yard touchdown and DeMario Douglas on a 9-yard score in the final seconds of the first half. The Jets answered with 10 points in the third quarter, including a 48-yard touchdown catch by Omar Cooper Jr., before four Jason Sanders field goals kept New York within reach until the final whistle.
Takeaways From Patriots’ Win Over Jets
Maye’s efficiency outweighed New England’s turnovers
Maye completed 18 of 32 passes without an interception and posted a 110.8 passer rating, spreading the ball to six different receivers. The Patriots turned the ball over twice on fumbles, but neither miscue led directly to Jets points, and New England still out-gained New York 383 yards to 324.
New England’s offensive line gave Maye a clean pocket
The Patriots did not allow a sack all game, a sharp contrast to the Jets’ defense that managed six total hits but no sacks. That protection let New England convert 8 of 15 third downs and go 2 for 4 in the red zone, numbers that proved decisive in a game decided by one score.
Jets’ red zone struggles kept them chasing
New York failed to score a touchdown on any of its three red zone trips, settling for four Sanders field goals instead. Geno Smith threw for 252 yards and a touchdown to Cooper, but his lone interception and the red zone shortfall left the Jets playing catch-up throughout the second half.
Player Of The Game: Drake Maye
Maye finished 18 of 32 for 235 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Doubs, Douglas and Hunter Henry for scores. His 7.3 yards per attempt and zero turnovers through the air anchored a Patriots offense that scored on four of its final six possessions.
Patriots Vs Jets By The Numbers
New England out-rushed New York 148 yards to 97, led by Corey Kiner’s 57 yards on 11 carries. The Patriots converted 1 of 2 fourth-down attempts compared to the Jets going 0 for 2. New England held a 22-21 edge in first downs and committed five penalties for 57 yards, slightly more costly than the Jets’ five penalties for 35 yards. Charles Woods intercepted Smith once in a game where New England finished with two fumbles lost.
What’s Next
The Patriots improved to 4-2, one game behind Buffalo (4-1) in the AFC East. The Jets dropped to 2-4.
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