EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — You’d be hard-pressed to discover a much less aggressive recreation this NFL season than what unfolded Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
The Patriots completely destroyed the Jets within the Week 17 42-10 win. It appeared just like the Patriots had been taking part in Madden on rookie mode. It regarded just like the varsity staff was scrimmaging in opposition to the center faculty staff.
If something, the win ought to function a confidence increase for the injury-ravaged 13-3 Patriots, who had performed it shut in two straight video games, one a loss to the Payments, and the opposite, a nail-biting win over the Ravens.
Quarterback Drake Maye was magnificence and had the kind of efficiency that ought to increase his MVP marketing campaign even in opposition to a lowly opponent just like the Jets.
The Patriots made it look straightforward on their opening drive, going 61 yards on simply seven performs earlier than QB Drake Maye discovered tight finish Austin Hooper ultimately zone for a 2-yard landing. Working again Rhamondre Stevenson had an enormous drive, selecting up 33 yards on three carries. Maye was 3-of-3 to begin the sport.
The Patriots’ protection made fast work of QB Brady Prepare dinner and the Jets’ offense, forcing a three-and-out.
An 18-yard cross interference penalty helped put the Patriots on the Jets’ 1-yard line, and Stevenson ran behind fullback Jack Westover for the landing. The drive noticed rookie extensive receiver Efton Chism make his first NFL catch, a 30-yard pickup on a slant.
Patriots security Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Prepare dinner on third-and-6 at hand the ball again to Maye and the offense. They responded with one other landing — this one a 22-yard completion from Maye to Stevenson — to go up 21 yards. It was a seven-play, 66-yard drive. Maye didn’t have a single incompletion within the first quarter.
The Jets lastly put some factors on the board with a 39-yard area aim from ex-Patriots kicker Nick People. Jets operating again Breece Corridor pushed the Jets down the sphere with a 19-yard run and 21-yard cross.
Maye led the Patriots on their fourth straight landing drive to begin the sport, discovering Stefeon Diggs on a 3-yard display screen on fourth down within the pink zone. Maye started the sport an ideal 11-of-11. The drive began with two explosive performs, a 21-yard catch by Diggs and a 17-yard run from rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson.
After the protection pressured one other Jets three-and-out, Maye led the Patriots on one more touchdown-scoring drive. This one was a 10-play, 91-yard drive. Maye discovered tight finish Hunter Henry for a 13-yard rating for his fourth passing landing of the primary half.
The Jets couldn’t do something on both facet of the half, however the Patriots scored a landing on their sixth straight possession. Maye hit Chism for a 10-yard diving landing ultimately zone to go up 42-3.
With Joshua Dobbs taking on for Maye halfway via the third quarter, the Patriots’ landing streak ended. Dobbs received the Patriots to the Jets’ 23-yard line earlier than Andy Borregales missed a 41-yard area aim off the upright.
The Jets responded with their first landing of the afternoon on a 59-yard run from Corridor in opposition to Patriots backup defenders.
BEST
QB Drake Maye: The Patriots’ Professional Bowl QB was 17-of-19 for 229 yards with 4 touchdowns … within the first half. He completed 19-of-21 for 256 yards with 5 touchdowns earlier than giving method to Joshua Dobbs halfway via the third quarter within the blowout win.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots’ run recreation, usually, was jelling. Stevenson scored two touchdowns in a recreation through which he had 100 yards from scrimmage.
WR Stefon Diggs: Diggs is now again on tempo for a 1,000-yard season after catching six passes for 101 yards with a landing. He has 970 yards on the season with 30 to go earlier than his seventh 1,000-yard marketing campaign.
WR Efton Chism: The undrafted rookie made his first NFL catch and scored his first NFL TD within the two-catch, 40-yard displaying.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: Sure, Hawkins missed a deal with on an enormous play from Corridor, however he additionally picked off Prepare dinner for his third interception of the season.
LB Jack Gibbens: The veteran linebacker stuffed in admirably for Robert Spillane, registering 5 tackles and one deal with for loss within the win.
WORST
Particular groups: It was exhausting to search out downs after this recreation, however Jeremy Springer’s unit allowed one transformed faux punt. They sniffed out a second.
Backup protection: The Patriots put of their reserves within the third quarter. Cory Durden, Dell Pettus, Jahlani Tavai and Brenden Schooler all had a component in permitting a 59-yard landing run by Breece Corridor.
WHAT WE LEARNED
• The Patriots went with largely heavy personnel on their opening drive, which isn’t stunning, since they dressed simply 4 extensive receivers with Mack Hollins on injured reserve and Kayshon Boutte out with a concussion. Hollins is the Patriots’ finest blocking extensive receiver, so that they compensated with greater our bodies on offense.
• Rookie WR Kyle Williams took on a a lot greater position with Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte out. Hollins was positioned on injured reserve with an stomach damage however nonetheless made the journey to New Jersey. Fellow rookie receiver Efton Chism took on the vast majority of Hollins’ snaps as a blocker.
• Anfernee Jennings began in Harold Landry’s exterior linebacker spot, however Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson additionally took on greater roles as cross rushers.
• Fullback Jack Westover (ankle) left the sport late with an ankle damage. He was deemed questionable to return.
