![\"Drake](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HEHES7DLMIOA6WLQWCCIOTUJS4.jpg\")
Drake Maye finds Stefon Diggs on a pass.Matthew J. Lee\/Globe StaffWhat Mike Vrabel said after the game \u2014 12:00 a.m.<\/p>\nDrake Maye impressed with team after \u2018quick turnaround\u2019 \u2014 12:07 a.m.<\/p>\n
By Amin Touri<\/p>\n
On beating the Jets Thursday: \u201cYeah, I think just a quick turnaround. The goal of these Thursday nights is to come out with a win, and that\u2019s what happened. Things we can look back on, didn\u2019t have much time to prepare, some things that I can look back on myself, wish I could have some plays back, but at the end of the day, just proud of the guys for the effort, the win. That\u2019s the best thing about Thursday night, you get three days to catch up some rest, heal up. The fans were awesome, it was pretty sweet for a prime time game, my first one [at home], so it was pretty sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n
On feeding TreVeyon Henderson: \u201cYeah, don\u2019t fix it if it ain\u2019t broke! Just stepping up, I think that was just big for him, stepping up, and it\u2019s been great for him to keep getting these reps. He wants to be great, he\u2019s just showing up every day and asking questions. … I think just continuing, for him, to keep on going for the upcoming weeks, and him and Rhamondre [Stevenson] and our backs create a little 1-2 thing going. Looking forward to Rhamondre coming back, but TreVeyon stepped up huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
On building trust with Stefon Diggs: \u201cThat trust was built up, probably when I was in middle school and he was playing in the league. It was long ago. Guys like him and Hunter [Henry] and Mack [Hollins], you trust those guys for what they\u2019ve done in this league. I just try to give them chances, and [Diggs], you need to break a couple tackles and get in the end zone, but those guys were great for us tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the importance of having a short memory as a QB: \u201cYeah, that\u2019s huge. I think that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to build: Having short memories in this league as a quarterback, that\u2019s what it is. You\u2019re going to get sacked, you\u2019re going to have plays you want back, and just trying to flip the page.\u201d<\/p>\n
On if he\u2019s surprised by his own success and what he wants to improve: \u201cI don\u2019t think anything\u2019s surprised me. When you put the work in and you\u2019ve got good players and good coaches, you\u2019re going to get a result that you want. There\u2019s results this season, some losses, that you build from that and learn from it and you try to learn every week. We\u2019re going to enjoy the weekend and enjoy the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n
On if his focus when it comes to ball placement: \u201cYeah, in zone, yards after the catch, trying to see where defenders are at. I have the best view, so I\u2019m trying to put it on the right shoulder. There\u2019s times tonight where I feel like I did that, and times where it needs to be better. I hit [Diggs] on a third down coming out into the fourth quarter, that was big, I thought that was good ball placement. But there\u2019s guys across the league that are so great at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the MVP chants: \u201cYeah, they might\u2019ve been for TreVeyon tonight, he had three touchdowns! Our fans have been great with me since I got here, since I got drafted, so I just appreciate them for embracing me. Just trying to embrace this city and give these fans and this team myself, just leave it all out there and give it everything I got.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the Jets\u2019 similar defensive approach to the Buccaneers\u2019 scheme: \u201cOn a short week they\u2019re probably going to do some stuff that either we haven\u2019t seen, or you think it\u2019s what you have seen but often times you see something [else]. They played some dime on third down, got a few different looks, we were empty a lot, and they showed us some different looks out of empty. I think they do a good job of disguising, and [Jets defensive coordinator Steve] Wilks, I think he\u2019s from Charlotte, so shoutout to him. They blitz a lot, we didn\u2019t see it as much tonight, but you can see they\u2019ve got a lot of different stuff. They\u2019ve got good players, I thought the backers were great and the guys up front, on the edge, are good players. They\u2019re a good football team, and I think we\u2019ll have a tough challenge when we see them again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drake Maye finds Stefon Diggs on a pass.Matthew J. Lee\/Globe StaffWhat Mike Vrabel said after the game \u2014 12:00 a.m.<\/p>\n
By Emma Healy<\/p>\n
The Patriots coach addressed the media after New England\u2019s win. Here\u2019s what he said. <\/p>\n
On players stepping up in a short week: \u201cTestament to our players, our staff. I thanked them so many times just being able to roll in there on Monday, have stuff prepared. It\u2019s hard to go on the road to Tampa and get your mind ready for that. But also in the back of your mind, got a whole other box about what are you going to do against the Jets and being able to get on a plane, come home, get in late. But to have that ready to go and have energy and a game plan ready for the players on Monday at one o\u2019clock. So thank the trainers. Thank the strength staff, everybody involved for getting our players ready to go for the game here in a short week.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what to make of Drake Maye\u2019s performance: \u201cI would say his performance in general has been what we expect, and we have high expectations for Drake. He has high expectations for himself. He\u2019ll continue to improve, and I know that he\u2019ll stay humble through this all. As far as the performance tonight, I thought it was, in first view, pretty good. It was good enough to win. Took care of the football. We just have to continue to focus on the little things, operation, unforced errors throughout the offense. It really stops us offensively, so continue to do that. Let them enjoy a win on a short week. I\u2019m excited. We\u2019re 9-2. I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
On planning the players\u2019 recovery in a short week: \u201cJust looking back and just trying to get everybody together and say, \u2018Hey, what can we do that maybe we wanted to do, or thought about doing on a short week?\u2019 And just exhaust every avenue, give guys IVs before we left Tampa, having the massage therapists. Everybody, all hands on deck here, but also having a schedule. Our assistant trainer running around and scheduled everybody so that there could be, a flow chart. And guys didn\u2019t walk in at 11:30 and say, \u2018Well, I can\u2019t get a massage because Morgan Moses is is already on the table.\u2019 So it was, let\u2019s make sure that this is planned out and there\u2019s some thought to it, and give our players the best opportunity to recover. So that\u2019s what we did.\u201d<\/p>\n
On why the defense has struggled on opening drives this season: \u201cThe quarterback tonight. Faster than most of the guys. We didn\u2019t do a good enough job, so we recovered a little bit, and we\u2019ll try to continue to be better there. But there\u2019s plenty of opportunities and places where we play good defense, and I have to remember that they can get a first down and we can still stop them. Doesn\u2019t have to be thrown out every time.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Jack Gibbens\u2019s recent success: \u201cDr. Gibby always knows usually what to do for the most part. He\u2019s usually in the right place at the right time. Sniffs out some screens. Just kind of seems to be in the right place at the right time. Does his job. Usually does it fairly well. Great teammate, cares deeply about his teammates, and he\u2019s fun to coach, and he\u2019s a great person to be around each and every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
On why Milton Williams stayed out of the game after his injury: \u201cJust a decision that felt like we should probably just start treating that thing and get ahead of it and see where he\u2019s at here tomorrow, in the next couple of days. He wanted to try to go in. He\u2019s out here standing with me when guys are coming in, and he\u2019s excited for them. So I appreciate his leadership, but I just made a decision that I felt like it was best for a team for this instance.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what strikes him about this fan base: \u201cI think they\u2019re passionate. I think that they have high expectations. I think that they\u2019re loyal and I think they\u2019re knowledgeable. I think they understand what it is that they should be seeing. Give them reasons to cheer and be excited. I think we\u2019ve done that, and they, in return, have given us a great atmosphere to play in front of.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what TreVeyon Henderson has brought to the team: \u201cI would say the best couple runs he had were there late in the game when it\u2019s tough sledding, and we\u2019re in five-minute and they know we\u2019re running and they\u2019re blitzing and everything else. And looked like we were going to be short, and he\u2019s able to knife through there and keep his pads down and pick up a huge first down. So he\u2019s executed, whether that\u2019s a check down or the touchdown in the back of the end zone. No home runs tonight, but I thought he grinded out pretty much what was there. It\u2019s always helped us a lot of ways tonight, and saw the power push touchdown, which is really cool. And so I\u2019m happy every time that guys can help us, and they can get into the end zone, and Christian Barmore can finally get the sack that he\u2019s been looking for. And he had a lot of pressures, and he\u2019s been back there, and they work really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what worked in limiting the Jets\u2019 punt and kick returns: \u201cI thought we got off blocks. We didn\u2019t give them a lot of space. Schooler got triple teamed one time, went down there, made a play. Punted well. Gunners did a nice job, but you\u2019re right. They have a really good return unit. I thought our kickoff coverage took a lot of pride, and I think we\u2019ve done a really good job of covering kicks. And so that was a good challenge. They stood up to it. It\u2019s a good unit, and I was excited to watch them bring some energy to the sidelines. If everybody\u2019s going to get up off the bench, we better give them something to cheer about.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/324AGYUCMLDTWRWC5WK7BCKU4A.JPG\")
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots had plenty to celebrate on Thursday night.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe StaffDrake Maye and Mike Vrabel join the broadcast \u2014 11:40 p.m.<\/p>\n
The head coach and second-year quarterback joined the crew on the broadcast after the game. Here are the highlights.<\/p>\n
Vrabel<\/p>\n
On how he\u2019s feeling at 9-2: \u201cI feel great. And that\u2019s what I told the guys in the locker room. We\u2019re 9-2. I said, that\u2019s good news, but I\u2019ve got better news: They don\u2019t have to see me until Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the young guys growing, helping build the team\u2019s identity: \u201cI appreciate the identity, it\u2019s ours, it\u2019s theirs. We have to protect it and we have to practice it ever day. And whether that\u2019s Wednesday or Thursday \u2014 the last six weeks, we\u2019ve gotten better because we\u2019ve practiced speed on Thursdays, guys are going after it, competing, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve gotten better, because we\u2019ve practiced and come out to the games and understand that there\u2019s things that go our way and there\u2019s some things that don\u2019t, and we have to be able to overcome those and we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
On how the defense has stepped up: \u201cWell, it\u2019s a testament to them, first of all. They take the coaching, they take the hard coaching, they take the constant coaching. We tell them that we\u2019re going to coach the hell out of them, Monday through Saturday, and then Sunday is their day to go and play and let it loose and they have. We have a lot of guys that have taken advantage of opportunities; when you do that, you earn more opportunities. We have great leadership at all three levels on the defense, and proud of the way they play. Sometimes we give up the first drive of the game and then we go three and out for five or six more series. They learn quickly and they adjust.\u201d<\/p>\n
On how much fun he\u2019s having coaching this team: \u201cA lot. A lot. My youngest son, Carter, is the same age as Drake, and I\u2019m thinking, \u2018My God, am I old?\u2019 I\u2019m 50, and it\u2019s just so much fun because a lot of these guys are experiencing these things for the first time. I forget that sometimes, I forget that the left side of our line is 21 and 22 years old and our quarterback\u2019s 23, and it\u2019s like, \u2018OK, there\u2019s going to be a lot of firsts for this program.\u2019 And I tell them, \u2018Hey, this is new for us. Let\u2019s attack this, let\u2019s understand what this looks like,\u2019 and they\u2019ve responded, and they\u2019ve taken the coaching every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maye<\/p>\n
On working with Josh McDaniels: \u201cYeah, he\u2019s been awesome. I think just coaching the position, coached at such a high level, I\u2019m just trying to learn as much as I can from him. Shoutout to these fans tonight, first prime time game for me [at home], this was sweet, and then, still got some work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what\u2019s contributed to his success this season, \u201cMVP\u201d chants: \u201cCoach here, and the guys around me, I think that\u2019s the biggest thing. They do a lot of work for me, they show up every Sunday, and we just try to play together, try to build this identity that [Vrabel] is talking about, and I think the biggest thing is just that we still have work left to do. But this fanbase has been awesome, they\u2019ve embraced us, they\u2019ve already embraced [Vrabel] for while now, back when he was scoring touchdowns back in the day \u2014 just shoutout to the fans, we\u2019ve still got more work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
On playing for Mike Vrabel: \u201cHe brings it every day. He cares about us. He coaches us hard, but he cares about us. We love playing for him, I love playing for him \u2014 he\u2019s coaching me on different things besides where to throw the ball, and I think that\u2019s the biggest thing about him. He\u2019s coaching leadership and coaching me every day. He says something to me almost after every drive. I just appreciate what he\u2019s done for me, what he\u2019s done for this football team, and I think we\u2019re just looking ahead and there\u2019s still some more left out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
What TreVeyon Henderson said about his three-TD performance \u2014 11:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Running back TreVeyon Henderson joined the Amazon Prime broadcast after his three-touchdown game. Here\u2019s what he said. <\/p>\n
On how it feels to score three touchdowns: \u201cIt feels great. I\u2019ve just been staying patient, trusting the Lord\u2019s plan, just continuing to do my part and the rest I leave up to him. I\u2019m thankful that I was able to come out here, and he allowed me to have this success, but I\u2019m so weak without him, and I really mean this from my heart, I can\u2019t do it without Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
On what he saw on his touchdown runs: \u201cReally, them first two touchdowns, all [because of] my offensive linemen. I got to give those guys credit. They make my job easier. Those guys put in the dirty work, and so I really give the credit to those guys, I\u2019m really thankful to be playing alongside those guys, running behind those guys, and just playing on this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Drake Maye: \u201cHe\u2019s a baller, and he\u2019s a great leader. But the biggest thing is that he\u2019s humble. He comes into work each and every day, and he pushes everyone around him. So I\u2019m thankful to be playing alongside of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the Patriots winning eight straight, looking like one of the best teams in the NFL: \u201cWe just want to stay humble and just continue to put the work in. So we\u2019re just going to take a couple days off and get back to work. We just want to stay humble and keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instant analysis: In upset-heavy NFL year, Patriots just keep taking care of business \u2014 11:25 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Ben Volin<\/p>\n
Thursday night\u2019s game felt like a trip in a time machine. With 7:34 left in the fourth quarter, The Outfield\u2019s \u201cYour Love\u201d blared on the Gillette Stadium sound system while Rob Gronkowski danced with Robert Kraft in the owners suite, as the Patriots put the Jets away on national TV.<\/p>\n
The game itself wasn\u2019t too competitive, nor did it prove much about the hosts\u2019 chances to reach the Super Bowl. The Jets (2-8) are yet again among the dregs of the NFL.<\/p>\n
But the win showed how far the Patriots have come in their first season under coach Mike Vrabel. Ten months ago, a half-empty Gillette Stadium booed the Patriots off the field as they finished off a 4-13 season.<\/p>\n
Thursday night, in the first primetime game at Gillette Stadium since Week 2 of 2023, the stadium buzzed with lights and DJs and pyrotechnics as the Patriots improved to an NFL-best 9-2. They once again took care of business against an inferior opponent and didn\u2019t succumb to a trap game. It was their eighth straight win, their longest streak since 2019.<\/p>\n
READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Patriots have won eight straight \u2014 11:06 p.m.<\/p>\n New England ends the game in victory formation, becoming the first team in the NFL to reach nine wins.<\/p>\n New England\u2019s defense gets a stop \u2014 11:00 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots defense makes another stop, turning it over on downs as Dell Pettus breaks up a fourth down pass to finish off any hopes of a Jets comeback. The Patriots will get the ball back with a 13-point lead and 1:57 to go in what looks like their eighth straight win. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots go nowhere, settle for a field goal \u2014 10:50 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots don\u2019t quite capitalize on excellent field position, picking up just 3 yards before bringing Andy Borregales out for a 26-yard chip shot. The rookie kicker converts to extend New England\u2019s advantage to 27-14 with 6:36 to play. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n New England recovers a fumble to take over in the red zone \u2014 10:47 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots defense gets the ball right back, as Justin Fields fumbles the snap and Anfernee Jennings pounces on it for what could be a game-sealing turnover. The Patriots will take over at the Jets\u2019 11-yard line with a chance to put this one away midway through the fourth. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots take a shot but punt it away \u2014 10:45 p.m.<\/p>\n Drake Maye nearly takes the top off the defense for the first time tonight, but Jets corner Brandon Stephens makes a great play to recover and knock the ball out of Mack Hollins\u2019s hands on what looked like a long completion. Bryce Baringer punts it deep, and the Jets will take over at their own 15 trailing by 10 points with 7:34 to go. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n New England settles for a field goal \u2014 10:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots piece together another promising drive but have to settle for a field goal, with Andy Borregales bouncing back from his earlier miss to hit from 44 yards and make it a two-score game. Drake Maye took his first sack of the game on that drive, as he was dropped in the backfield for a 10-yard loss that pushed New England out of the red zone and stopped the possession in its tracks. The Patriots lead, 24-14, with 12:06 to go in Foxborough. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots 21, Jets 14 | End of 3Q<\/p>\n Patriots hold a one-score lead after three quarters \u2014 10:25 p.m.<\/p>\n At the end of the third quarter, the Patriots lead the Jets, 21-14. <\/p>\n New England can extend its lead to open the fourth as the Patriots face third and 5 from the edge of field goal range at the Jets\u2019 41-yard line. Drake Maye is up to 244 yards on 22 of 27 passing, as he\u2019s picked apart the New York secondary throughout the night. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Jets pull back within one score \u2014 10:15 p.m.<\/p>\n The Jets finally find their footing offensively, responding with a touchdown drive as Justin Fields hits a wide-open John Metchie III to cut New York\u2019s deficit to 21-14. <\/p>\n The Patriots appeared to have everything covered with the pocket collapsing around Fields on third down, but New England safety Craig Woodson tripped as he shadowed Metchie, leaving the Jets wideout open for the score. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Henderson makes it three TDs \u2014 10:05 p.m.<\/p>\n A drive worthy of the \u201cMVP\u201d chants for Drake Maye, who made magic on that drive, which ended with TreVeyon Henderson\u2019s third touchdown of the night. The chants came after Maye evaded pressure in the pocket and made a beautiful throw for a 28-yard completion to Stefon Diggs, then broke the pocket to find Diggs again for 18 more to reach the red zone. Maye then hit Henderson in the back of the end zone to give New England a 21-7 lead midway through the quarter.<\/p>\n The second-year quarterback is now 19 of 23 for 205 yards and a touchdown on another impressive night in an impressive season for Maye. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots\u2019 first drive of the second half stalls \u2014 9:52 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots looked poised for another score either side of halftime but come away with nothing instead, as New England follows the missed kick to end the first half with a three and out to open the second half. Bryce Baringer comes out for his second punt of the night after Stefon Diggs drops a third-down pass just short of the sticks. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Christopher Price\u2019s halftime observations \u2014 9:40 p.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n Two quarters are done here at Gillette, and the Patriots are up, 14-7:<\/p>\n Drake Maye: 14-16, 140 yards<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson: 13 carries, 40 yards, 2 TDs<\/p>\n Mack Hollins: 3 catches, 3 targets, 47 yards<\/p>\n Justin Fields: 4-7, 23 yards; 5 carries, 28 yards<\/p>\n \u2022 Good but not great start to the game for the Patriots, who showed a lot of the OK (no incompletes from Maye until there were just over three minutes left in the half, two penalties, and only one punt), and some of the not-so-good (they allowed a lesser opponent to score on its opening offensive drive again). In all, they settled in nicely once the second quarter got underway, cranking up the running game on the way to a halftime lead.<\/p>\n \u2022 Stop me if you\u2019ve heard this before: The Patriots allowed points on an opponents\u2019 opening drive again. It\u2019s a maddening habit \u2014 it was the seventh time in the last eight games this has happened. As we continue to write, this sort of detail is one of the things that\u2019s holding New England back from being a truly elite defense. You can do this against lousy teams, but it\u2019s not a sustainable model for success come January.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Patriots went for in on fourth-and-2 late in the first quarter, and picked up the first down on a nice connection from Maye to Douglas. New England is now 13-for-16 (81 percent) on fourth down this season. Later in the drive, New England punched it in on a seven-yard touchdown run from Henderson, his third score in the last two weeks. The 13-play series was one of the longest drives of the season for the Patriots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Henderson powered New England\u2019s second offensive drive of the game, providing some dirty runs to help loosen up the New York defense. (Hunter Henry also delivered a couple of big plays to help move the chains.) But it was the second-round pick out of Ohio State that cashed in from 7 yards out for the score.<\/p>\n \u2022 For the record, Henderson\u2019s career-high for carries (college and pro) is 28, a mark he hit in a 2021 Ohio State game against Penn State. He\u2019s at 13 carries after two quarters.<\/p>\n \u2022 Milton Williams (ankle) went down on New England\u2019s first defensive series of the night. He was announced as questionable to return but returned late on the next defensive series. There was also a scary moment when Diggs hit the ground after Maye\u2019s first incomplete pass of the evening, but he was back on the field for the next series.<\/p>\n \u2022 One interesting special teams note: The Patriots opted to keep just Efton Chism III back on kickoffs. He was paired with an up-man in Brenden Schooler.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Patriots will get the ball to start the second half. Quick reminder: New England is the best third-quarter team in the league coming into this week\u2019s action<\/a>. If things hold true to form, this one could be over sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n Patriots 14, Jets 7 | Halftime<\/p>\n Patriots miss a field goal to end the half \u2014 9:35 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots had a chance to extend their lead in the final seconds of the half but couldn\u2019t convert, with kicker Andy Borregales missing from 45 yards to make leave the score at 14-7, New England, at halftime. <\/p>\n The Patriots caught a bit of a break when a drive-ending sack was negated by an illegal contact call against Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens, giving New England new life before the half. The Patriots looked poised to capitalize and make it a two-score game, but Borregales pushed his kick to the right as time expired. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Baringer comes out for his first punt of the day \u2014 9:13 p.m.<\/p>\n New England\u2019s offense finally hits a roadblock (and Drake Maye finally throws an incompletion) as Bryce Baringer comes out for his first punt. The Patriots had a shot at a big play with Maye firing deep over the middle for Stefon Diggs, but Diggs couldn\u2019t hang on as he tried to avoid a hit as the ball hit his hands. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Henderson doubles the lead \u2014 9:00 p.m.<\/p>\n The touchdowns are coming in bunches now for TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie back finds the end zone for the second time tonight \u2014 and the fourth time in two games \u2014 with some great vision to find the hole and score from 7 yards out. <\/p>\n The Patriots lead, 14-7, after another impressive drive. Drake Maye is still perfect tonight, completing all nine of his passes for 97 yards. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson ties things up \u2014 8:45 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots respond with a long touchdown drive of their own, with TreVeyon Henderson capping a 13-play, 69-yard march with a 3-yard run for the score. Drake Maye was a perfect 5 for 5 for 23 yards on that drive while Henderson took seven carries for 27 yards. It\u2019s 7-7 in the opening minute of the second quarter. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Jets 7, Patriots 0 | End of 1Q<\/p>\n Patriots trail after one quarter \u2014 8:40 p.m.<\/p>\n The first quarter is in the books with the Jets leading the Patriots, 7-0. The opening period went in a hurry with the teams trading lengthy possessions \u2014 New England can still cap its first drive with a touchdown, as the Patriots will open the second quarter facing third and 1 on the Jets\u2019 10-yard line. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Justin Fields runs it in for a TD \u2014 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The Jets get on the board first, as the visitors go 72 yards on 14 plays on a drive capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run from quarterback Justin Fields. New England struggled to get off the field on third down, giving up four conversions before the touchdown. The Jets rushed for 56 yards on 11 attempts on the opening drive.<\/p>\n One injury concern for the Patriots: Defensive tackle Milton Williams limped off midway through the drive and is questionable to return with an ankle injury. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n New York wins the toss \u2014 8:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Andy Borregales will kick it off to get things started under the lights at Gillette Stadium. <\/p>\n For Drake Maye, game vs. the Jets is a nostalgic milestone \u2014 8:00 p.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n Thursday marked a unique anniversary in Drake Maye\u2019s career.<\/p>\n The quarterback saw his first NFL action Sept. 19, 2024, in a Thursday night game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Maye, who was tossed into the fray in the second half in relief of veteran Jacoby Brissett during a 24-3 loss to the Jets, finished that game 4 for 8 for 22 yards and a pair of sacks.<\/p>\n Maye, who took over the New England offense with 4:24 left in regulation that evening, had one offensive series. He completed his first pass to running back Antonio Gibson, and eventually steered the Patriots to the Jets 7-yard line before he was sacked as time ran out.<\/p>\n Maye did face the Jets at home later in the season in a Sunday afternoon contest. But now, more than a year later, he had another crack at the Jets in prime time under the lights at Gillette Stadium.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n New England\u2019s OL consistency is a bright spot \u2014 7:45 p.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n Tonight will mark the 11th game of the 2025 season for the Patriots. They have used six different OL starters in that stretch: Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Ben Brown, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses.<\/p>\n By the 11th game of the 2024 season, New England had utilized 11 different starters along the offensive line: Chuks Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Demontrey Jacobs, Michael Jordan, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Nick Leverett, Ben Brown, Layden Robinson, and Mike Onwenu.<\/p>\n Will the Patriots make it eight straight? The Globe staff weighs in. \u2014 7:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how our reporters think this will go.<\/p>\n Christopher Price: Patriots 35, Jets 10. New England enters this game as a 12.5-point favorite, the largest line to feature New England as a favorite since 2021. New York does have an excellent return game, which means the only real chance to pull the upset is to get some sustained special teams magic and have Hall rush for north of 100 yards. That combo probably isn\u2019t going to happen. The only real drama here will be the over\/under on how many snaps Joshua Dobbs gets that don\u2019t come in victory formation. My guess is anywhere between 5-10.<\/p>\n Nicole Yang: Patriots 28, Jets 13. The Patriots take care of business for their eighth straight win. Trap games don\u2019t seem to be a thing for coach Mike Vrabel\u2019s team this year.<\/p>\n Ben Volin: Patriots, 31, Jets 10. The Jets\u2019 offense is nonfunctional and won\u2019t find its wings on Thursday night as the Patriots improve to 9-2.<\/p>\n Tara Sullivan: Patriots 28, Jets 12.<\/p>\n Players to watch for Jets-Patriots \u2014 6:45 p.m.<\/p>\n Here are the Patriots and Jets the Globe reporters and columnists are keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n Patriots<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson. With Rhamondre Stevenson on the shelf for a third consecutive week and Terrell Jennings dinged up a bit, Henderson figures to get the bulk of the work against the Jets. If Henderson delivers a 50-yard run this week against the Jets, it will be the first time the Patriots have had a 50-yard run in back-to-back games since 1998 when Sedrick Shaw had a 51-yard run vs. Indianapolis (Sept. 13) and Robert Edwards had a 53-yard run vs. Tennessee (Sept. 20). \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n Hunter Henry. With Austin Hooper sidelined with a concussion, the Patriots have just Henry and Jack Westover available at tight end. Westover is primarily a fullback, and rarely lines up out wide, so the Patriots will have to adjust their offensive packages to account for one tight end. Henry, who has been on the field for 81.1 percent of the offense\u2019s snaps, could see an uptick in his already high usage. \u2014 Nicole Yang<\/p>\n What does TreVeyon Henderson do for an encore? In the heels of his breakout game in the Pats impressive weekend win at Tampa Bay, Henderson won\u2019t be able to surprise the Jets defense the way he did to the Bucs. But without Rhamondre Stevenson once again, the Pats could use a few more big runs. \u2014 Tara Sullivan<\/p>\n Will Campbell. He has filled the hole at left tackle nicely this year, but has also had his rookie moments, with four sacks allowed and four penalties. He\u2019ll have a good challenge Thursday night against Jets edge rusher Will McDonald, who had four sacks in Sunday\u2019s win over the Browns. \u2014 Ben Volin<\/p>\n Jets<\/p>\n Breece Hall. The best thing about the New York offense, the running back will be tasked with carrying the Jets to victory tonight. The challenge? He\u2019ll be going up against the best run defense in the league. Maybe the only real drama here is whether or not he\u2019ll be the second running back to break 50 rushing yards against the Patriots this season. \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n Justin Fields. Fields has fewer than 60 passing yards and 20 pass attempts in four different games this season. The Jets have two competent tackles in Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, yet they can\u2019t seem to establish any sort of passing attack. If that\u2019s the case again tonight, Fields could be in for a long day.\u2014 Nicole Yang<\/p>\n After tearing the roster apart at the trading deadline the Jets don\u2019t have many stars left. That puts an awful lot on the shoulders of Justin Fields, who can always be dangerous in the run. \u2014 Tara Sullivan<\/p>\n Kene Nwangwu. He returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against the Browns, giving him five for his career, including one against the Patriots in 2022 while with the Vikings. The only chance the Jets have tonight is if they can create two special teams touchdowns like they did on Sunday. \u2014 Ben Volin<\/p>\n Who\u2019s inactive for the Patriots? \u2014 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), Rhamondre Stevenson, Christian Elliss (hip), and Austin Hooper (concussion) are out, as announced earlier in the week. <\/p>\n Also inactive: Caedan Wallace and Joshua Farmer. Tommy DeVito is the emergency third quarterback.<\/p>\n Patriots offense outmatches the Jets on paper \u2014 6:15 p.m.<\/p>\n By Chad Finn<\/p>\n Get ready for the starkest contrasts in quarterback styles you\u2019ll see all season, perhaps in the entire league.<\/p>\n Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is coming off a stirring road win over Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers<\/a> in which he had his lowest completion rate of the season (16 of 31, 51.6 percent), struggled early throwing a wet football, and yet enhanced his NFL Most Valuable Player candidacy with some sensational and clutch throws in a 28-23 victory, most notably a 54-yard bomb to Mack Hollins on a third-and-14 play in the fourth quarter. It wasn\u2019t Maye\u2019s most statistically excellent performance, but it was probably his most resilient.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Jets counter with Justin Fields, an outstanding runner but a passer who still is nowhere near refined five years into his career (and on his third team).<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Three up, three down, and three to watch \u2014 6:00 p.m.<\/p>\n By Nicole Yang<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at who\u2019s up, who\u2019s down, and whom to watch ahead of Thursday night\u2019s Patriots-Jets game …<\/p>\n Wide receiver Stefon Diggs: Diggs\u2019s stat line doesn\u2019t pop off the page \u2014 five catches for 46 yards \u2014 but he made two critical plays in Sunday\u2019s win over the Buccaneers<\/a>. At the end of the first half, on fourth and goal from Tampa Bay\u2019s 1-yard line, Diggs made an incredible catch in the corner of the end zone, leaping to haul in the ball and toe-tapping on his way down. The touchdown capped a risky sequence of play-calling near the goal line<\/a> and gave the Patriots the 14-10 lead headed into halftime. Then, when the Buccaneers attempted an onside kick at the end of the second half, Diggs jumped and grabbed the ball to seal the Patriots\u2019 victory. Diggs continues to be one of the Patriots\u2019 best signings of the offseason.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Patriots rule out four players, including Kayshon Boutte and Rhamondre Stevenson \u2014 5:45 p.m.<\/p>\n By Nicole Yang<\/p>\n The Patriots ruled out running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), tight end Austin Hooper (concussion), and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip) for the game against the Jets.<\/p>\n After not practicing for two weeks, Stevenson returned to the field in a limited capacity on Monday and Tuesday before not practicing Wednesday. He has missed three straight games, opening the door for rookie TreVeyon Henderson to take on a heavier workload<\/a>.<\/p>\n Second-year player Terrell Jennings, who also has taken on more responsibilities out of the backfield, is listed as questionable after suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of Sunday\u2019s win over the Buccaneers.<\/p>\n Emma Healy can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com<\/a> or on X @ByEmmaHealy<\/a>. Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com<\/a>. Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow<\/a> her @nicolecyang<\/a>. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com<\/a>. Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at tara.sullivan@globe.com<\/a>. Follow her @Globe_Tara<\/a>.<\/p>\n