The New England Patriots delivered a performance for the ages on December 28, 2025, as they dismantled the New York Jets 42-10 at MetLife Stadium in a game that not only showcased the rise of sophomore quarterback Drake Maye but also underscored the Patriots’ relentless pursuit of an AFC East title. With the regular season winding down and playoff seeding on the line, New England entered Week 17 with a sense of urgency, and boy, did it show from the opening whistle.
Coming into the contest, the Patriots boasted a 12-3 record, standing in stark contrast to the Jets’ 3-12 mark. The stakes were clear: New England needed a win or a tie to remain atop the division and keep their postseason destiny in their own hands. Despite the lopsided records, football fans know all too well that anything can happen in the NFL. However, any hopes of an upset were dashed almost immediately as the Patriots asserted their dominance from the get-go.
Drake Maye, the 23-year-old quarterback in the midst of a breakout sophomore campaign, wasted no time putting his mark on the game. On the Patriots’ first offensive possession, Maye orchestrated a clinical drive capped by a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper, giving New England an early 7-0 lead. The drive was set up by a 32-yard kickoff return from D’Ernest Johnson and a 24-yard burst from running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who would play a pivotal role throughout the afternoon.
The Patriots’ defense quickly forced a Jets three-and-out, and Maye went right back to work. On the ensuing possession, rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III hauled in his first professional catch—a 30-yard strike from Maye on just the second play of the drive. That milestone completion also put Maye over the 4,000-yard mark for the season, making him only the third Patriots quarterback ever to reach that plateau, joining franchise legends Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe. According to Patriots Wire, "Maye reached the 4,000 passing yard mark with a 30-yard pass to Efton Chism III in the first quarter." Stevenson capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the lead to 14-0.
As the first half unfolded, the Patriots continued to pile on. Maye connected with Stefon Diggs for a 31-yard gain to open the second quarter, then found Stevenson for a 22-yard touchdown pass—Stevenson’s second score of the day. The Jets finally got on the board with a 39-yard field goal from Nick Folk, but the Patriots were far from finished. Maye and Diggs linked up again, this time for a three-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-3. Not content to coast into halftime, Maye engineered a 91-yard drive capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry, giving New England a commanding 35-3 advantage at the break.
Maye’s first-half numbers were simply staggering: 17 completions on 19 attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He distributed the ball to seven different receivers, with Diggs leading the way with six catches for 101 yards—his fifth 100-yard game of the season. Even undrafted rookie Efton Chism III got in on the action, making his mark with that memorable 30-yard grab. As fans took to social media, the consensus was clear: Maye was putting on an absolute clinic, regardless of the Jets’ struggles.
The Patriots’ offensive onslaught didn’t slow down after halftime. On their first possession of the third quarter, Maye threw his fifth touchdown pass of the day, pushing the score to 42-3. That toss set a new career high for Maye in passing touchdowns, one week after he set a personal best with 380 passing yards against Baltimore. With the game well in hand, head coach Bill Belichick opted to give Maye some well-deserved rest, sending in Josh Dobbs to run the offense with over five minutes left in the third quarter. Maye finished his day with an almost flawless stat line: 19 completions on 21 attempts, 256 yards, and five touchdowns—having led the Patriots to touchdowns on all six of their possessions.
"Maye completed 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and five TDs in just two-and-a-half quarters before Joshua Dobbs replaced him," reported the Postgame Live Crew. The efficiency was off the charts, and the performance only bolstered Maye’s MVP credentials. Entering the game, he led the league with a 73.3 QBR, and his latest exploits are sure to keep him in the thick of the conversation.
Stefon Diggs, meanwhile, continued to prove his worth as Maye’s top target. His six receptions for 101 yards not only paced the team but also added another chapter to what has been a stellar season for the veteran receiver. The Patriots’ offensive balance was evident, with Maye connecting with seven different pass-catchers and Stevenson contributing both on the ground and through the air.
Defensively, New England did its part to stifle any hope of a Jets comeback. The Patriots’ relentless pressure and disciplined play limited New York to just a field goal in the first half and a single touchdown in the second. The Jets, led by quarterback Brady Cook, managed a few flashes—most notably a 21-yard pass to Breece Hall—but could not string together consistent offense against the Patriots’ stout unit.
With the win, the Patriots improved to 13-3 on the season and maintained their perfect 8-0 record on the road—an NFL-best mark. Their playoff fate, however, hinged on the outcome of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles later that day. If the Bills were to fall, New England would clinch the AFC East title. Otherwise, the division would be decided in the final week of the season, with the Patriots set to face the Miami Dolphins and still in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed should Denver stumble against the Chargers.
The significance of the victory was not lost on anyone in the Patriots’ locker room or among their fans. After missing the playoffs in recent years, New England’s return to postseason contention has been fueled by a blend of veteran leadership, young talent, and a quarterback who seems to be getting better with each passing week. As the regular season draws to a close, the Patriots are peaking at the perfect time—poised for a deep playoff run and, perhaps, a return to the NFL’s grandest stage.
As the dust settled at MetLife Stadium, one thing was abundantly clear: the New England Patriots, led by the sensational Drake Maye, are a force to be reckoned with. With history made, records shattered, and a division title within reach, the Patriots’ faithful have plenty of reasons to believe that this season’s story is far from finished.
