Can a sophomore quarterback lead a historic turnaround and dominate a divisional rival on the road? Drake Maye and the New England Patriots answered emphatically with a 42-10 thrashing of the New York Jets on December 28, 2025, at MetLife Stadium. This AFC East showdown in NFL Week 17 highlighted New England’s explosive offense and suffocating defense, while exposing the Jets’ ongoing struggles in a lost season. Here’s the full post-game recap, including score summary, key turning points, top performances, and playoff implications in the National Football League.
Score Summary
The Patriots scored touchdowns on their first six possessions, building an insurmountable lead by halftime and cruising to victory. They finished the regular season undefeated on the road (8-0). Final score: New England Patriots 42, New York Jets 10.
Quarter
Patriots
Jets
Key Scoring Plays
1st
14
0
Drake Maye TD pass to Austin Hooper; Rhamondre Stevenson 1-yard rushing TD
2nd
21
3
Maye TD passes to Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, and Rhamondre Stevenson (22 yards); Jets FG
3rd
7
0
Maye fifth TD pass to rookie Efton Chism III
4th
0
7
Breece Hall 59-yard rushing TD (garbage time)
New England racked up over 440 total yards with balanced efficiency, while limiting the Jets to under 310 yards and forcing early punts.
Turning Points
This NFL Week 17 rout featured several decisive shifts that turned a potential rivalry game into a Patriots clinic:
Opening Drive Dominance — New England marched 61 yards on nine plays for a touchdown on their first possession, setting the tone with Maye’s precise passing and Stevenson’s tough runs.
Quick 14-0 Lead — After a Jets three-and-out, a pass interference penalty in the end zone gifted the Patriots a goal-to-go spot, leading to Stevenson’s second TD and an early two-score advantage.
Interception and Halftime Explosion — Safety Jaylinn Hawkins’ pick set up another score, and Maye threw three TDs in the second quarter alone, ballooning the lead to 35-3 at halftime.
Third-Quarter Dagger — Maye’s fifth TD pass (to five different receivers) made it 42-3 early in the third, prompting coach Mike Vrabel to bench his starters, including Maye.
These moments underscored the Patriots’ superior execution, with the Jets failing on fake punts and turning the ball over in key spots.
Standout Performances
Several players delivered memorable efforts in this lopsided AFC East clash:
Drake Maye (Patriots QB): The second-year star was nearly flawless, completing 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes (90% completion rate). He reached 30 passing TDs and 4,000 yards for the season, bolstering his NFL MVP case before exiting early.
Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots RB): Powered the ground game with a rushing TD and a 22-yard receiving score, consistently gashing the Jets’ front.
Efton Chism III (Patriots WR): The undrafted rookie shone with his first career catch (30 yards) and first TD reception.
Stefon Diggs, Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry (Patriots Receivers): Each caught a Maye TD pass, showcasing the offense’s depth.
Breece Hall (Jets RB): Provided a late spark with a 59-yard TD run—the Jets’ only touchdown—but was otherwise contained in a struggling offense.
Brady Cook (Jets QB): Managed minimal production amid constant pressure, with the Jets’ unit sputtering throughout.
The Patriots’ defense dominated, forcing three-and-outs and an interception while holding the Jets scoreless until garbage time.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
Heading into the final week of the 2025 NFL regular season, this outcome solidified positions in the AFC playoff picture:
For the Patriots (now 13-3), the blowout victory—combined with the Buffalo Bills’ loss—clinched the AFC East division title. New England locked in a top playoff seed, a remarkable turnaround from last year’s four-win campaign under coach Mike Vrabel. They host the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 with momentum and a perfect road record.
The Jets (3-13) suffered another humiliating defeat, extending a four-game losing streak and cementing a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft order. Eliminated long ago, New York closes out at Buffalo, facing ongoing questions about quarterback play, coaching, and rebuild needs.
In the broader AFC East and playoff landscape, the Patriots’ resurgence highlights emerging stars like Maye, while the Jets’ woes underscore persistent issues. NFL fans eyeing mock drafts, free agency, and postseason matchups will watch how New England builds on this dominant performance.
