BSJ Game Report: Patriots 33, Giants 15 - New England dominates behind Maye, physicality

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Giants in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots came on a mission of domination and deliver: Both the Patriots and the Giants came into this game, not only on opposite ends with their records, but both teams were headed into their late bye weeks after this one. You wondered if that might affect the focus ... that definitely was not the case. Not sure what Mike Vrabel said to these guys to get them focused in, but the Patriots manhandled the Giants in every which way from the start to the point they took a commanding 30-7 lead at halftime. Christian Elliss set the tone with two vicious and legal hits on Jaxson Dart and Gunner Olszewski. The latter caused a fumble on a kickoff that led to points for the Patriots. It's been a while since I've seen a Patriots team play with that much focus, urgency and physicality.

Marcus Jones does it again: A week after getting a pick-six against Joe Flacco, Jones returned this punt 94 yards virtually untouched to give New England an early 10-0 lead.

Drake Maye was sensational, continues to make MVP case: With Matthew Stafford stumbling on Sunday with three turnovers in a loss to the Panthers, Maye had a chance to state his MVP case to a national television audience and he delivered with a near-flawless performance. He finished 24 of 31 (77.4%) for 282 yards, 2 touchdowns, 15 yards rushing and a 126.0 passer rating.

TURNING POINT

After the Giants scored to make it 17-7, the Giants drove the ball down the field but were held to a field goal attempt. That's when Younghoe Koo ... stubbed his toe ... forgot how to kick ... whiffed? I don't know, but I've never seen anything like it.

That would lead to Maye's 33-yard touchdown to Kyle Williams on third and long, and the game was over at 24-7.

SECOND GUESS

The Giants deciding to make Mike Kafka interim coach. The guy took a delay of game penalty on 4th and inches down 27-7 with 1:13 left. And the Giants were going to get the ball to start the second half.

4-6-NYG 35 (1:13) J.Gillan punts 42 yards to NE 23, Center-C.Kreiter, fair catch by M.Jones.

The Patriots said thank you, and got a field goal to end the first half with a 30-7 lead.

Oh, by the way, the Giants went for it (and failed) on 4th and 6 to start the second half.

Clown show.

FOUR UP

QB Drake Maye: At halftime, he was 16 of 20 (80%) for 207 yards, two touchdowns and a 143.1 rating.

LB Christian Elliss: Set the tone with his two very loud hits. Was among the team leaders with six tackles as well.

PR Marcus Jones: His punt return TD woke everyone and set the stage for the rout.

LB Marte Mapu: Doesn't play a lot, but had two very big pass breakups to halt drives.

FOUR DOWN

LG Ben Brown: Had a pretty blatant hold/tackle of Abdul Carter that really could have cost the team points, but Maye bailed them out.

S Jaylinn Hawkins: Had two of the team's seven missed tackles, and got washed out on the Devin Singletary direct snap touchdown.

RB TreVeyon Henderson: We're nitpicking in this one, but Henderson, midway through the fourth quarter, had 10 touches for 46 yards as he continues to run into blockers. Plus, he got trucked in pass pro to lead to a Maye sack. He did have a couple of big runs late, so that's good, but 3.5 quarters of meh play.

P Byrce Baringer: Had a 22-yard shank.

INJURIES

RB Terrell Jennings (head): Was ruled out at halftime. Had a big kickoff return to open the game.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Drake Maye is your NFL MVP with four games to play: Obviously there is more work to do, especially against the Bills and Ravens, but Maye capped off an outstanding start to this season with a dominating effort on national television. He again was in complete command with his accuracy and feel for the pocket. Even had a run for a big first down.

Give it up for the pass protection and Josh McDaniels: Everyone was clutching their pearls over the injuries to Will Campbell and Jared Wilson coming into this game. It certainly helped that Abdul Carter was benched for the first quarter, but the pass protection was largely great as the playcaller mixed his pitches and protection. It was another masterclass from McDaniels, executed well by the players. Maye factored into that, only running into one sack on his own.