BSJ Game Report: Patriots 42, Jets 10 - Dominating first half in all 3 phases keys blowout

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

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Patriots, Maye throttle the Jets: It started with the Patriots' special teams limiting the Jets' No. 1-ranked unit, and then the defense got the first of four three-and-outs (out of five possessions), and then it was time for Drake Maye and the offense to go to work. And work the Jets they did. By the time the Patriots' first drive of the second half concluded, the Patriots scored touchdowns on all six possessions, averaging over 8 yards per play. 

Drake Maye was the impetus for all of this. He finished his day 19 of 21, 256 yards, and five touchdowns to different receivers. His passer rating was 157.

The Patriots' had a pass success rate of 90.5% in the first half, which is second only to the Seahawks (93.8%) at the Commanders. Their 1.32 EPA per dropback is third in the NFL this season.

The defense held the Jets to 3.9 yards per play and 1 of 6 on third downs in the first half. Brady Cook was 5 of 8 for 39 yards and threw an easy interception to Jaylinn Hawkins.

Things get testy between the Jets and Patriots to close first half: First it looked like the Patriots, including Mike Vrabel, were not happy about this cheap shot from the Jets that caused Maye to stay down for a bit.

Then, on the final of the first half, it appeared that Christian Barmore took exception to Armand Membou driving him to the turf well behind the play, because the big fella was HOT going off the field, including with Vrabel.

Latest on the playoffs: The Patriots win the AFC East if the Bills lose to the Eagles at home at 4:25 p.m.

The Patriots would be the AFC's top seed with a win over the Dolphins and a Broncos loss to the Chargers, but LA doesn't really have anything to play for after its loss to the Texans.

As of right now, the Chargers (7th seed) would be the Patriots' (No. 2) wild-card opponent at Gillette.

TURNING POINT

Kickoff?

Not sure there was one, but this two-play sequence will do.

Hawkins interception.

And then on the next play, this Stef Diggs catch got the ball really rolling downhill.

SECOND GUESS

The only thing I didn't like — and it ended with a Hunter Henry TD to go up 35-3 at halftime — was that I wanted to see a true two-minute drive when the Patriots got the ball back with 1:48 left before halftime. To me, it was a great chance to let Maye take over the two-minute drill and go fast. You never know what kind of situation is going to come up in the postseason. Maybe pretend you have no timeouts or one (they had all three), like you do in practice. I really didn't like this sequence on the drive:

They couldn't just go no-huddle after the Austin Hooper catch? Once they did call a timeout and decided to go with a sneak, couldn't they call another play instead of a timeout? Sometimes it feels like they are stage managing Maye a little bit too much. This was a rare opportunity to see what he could do.

THREE UP

QB Drake Maye: Became the fourth Patriots QB to throw for five touchdowns in a game, and he went over 4,000 yards for the season.

From Patriots PR: Maye is now the first player in NFL history to have multiple games in a season with 200+ passing yards, 2+ passing TDs and at least a 90% completion percentage.

Maye's fifth TD pass of the day set a new franchise record for the most receivers with a TD reception at five. Maye is also the first Patriot to have 5 TD passes in a game since Tom Brady vs. Houston (9/24/17).

Maye because the first player in NFL history to have at least 256 passing yards, five touchdowns and a completion percentage of 90.5.

WR Stefon Diggs: Was money again with six catches on six targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. He recorded his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season. He is the first Patriot to do so since TE Rob Gronkowski (2015) and the first Patriot receiver to do so since Wes Welker (2012).

LB Jack Gibbens: Had to throw a defender in there and he allowed just two receptions for 2 yards, had two stops and three tackles.

ONE DOWN

K Andre Borregales: Missed a 41-yard field goal off the post.

INJURIES

FB Jack Westover (ankle): Walked off under his own power after going off after a kickoff return. Had a really nice block on Stevenson's touchdown.

TOP PLAYS

ONE TAKE BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Road warriors: Not much to take out of this game other than the Patriots took care of business quickly, stayed relatively healthy and got a bunch of guys some work, and they concluded the regular season going 8-0 on the road, which is an amazing feat and a testament to their mentality.

This is the 12th time in NFL history a team has gone 8-0 on the road in a season, and the third time in franchise history the team has done so, along with 2016 and 2007.

Also, shoutout Vrabel and his coaches. Vrabel has led the team to 13 wins in his first year as head coach. In NFL history, only two other coaches have led their teams to at least 13 wins in their first season: Jim Caldwell (Colts, 2009, 14-2) and George Seifert (49ers, 1989, 14-2).