The New England Patriots destroyed the Jets in their final road game of the 2025 regular season, sweeping their division rivals with a final score of 42-10. During their ride home, they then went on and clinched
the AFC East.
It was an eventful day, so let’s get into our lessons learned from Sunday.
Patriots do their job
The Patriots dominated the Jets in all facets of the game on Sunday — offense, defense, special teams, you name it. At the end of the first half, they had out-gained their hapless opponent 344 yards to 77, and had 23 first downs to only four for the Jets. The game was over when they went into the locker room for halftime up 35-3.
Of course, the Patriots are a better team than the Jets, but there were some questions about whether or not New York would have a chance with the Patriots so shorthanded. However, the outcome of the game was never in doubt.
This is what you should do to inferior opponents, and the Patriots, as they have most of the season, took care of business.
Drake Maye keeps making it look easy
In a season where Drake Maye has been dominant, and might end up winning the MVP, he did something on Sunday that no one in NFL history has ever done.
He finished the game on Sunday with 256 passing yards, five touchdowns, and a completion percentage of more than 90%. It’s the first time in NFL history that anyone has put up a stat-line like that, and it was his second game this season with over a 90% completion percentage.
It was also the first time in Patriots history a QB has thrown five touchdown passes to five different receivers. Not even Tom Brady accomplished that feat.
Maye doesn’t panic in the pocket, is hardly ever rattled by coverages, and can fire a rocket pretty much anywhere, anytime. He’s a true weapon at the quarterback position, and the Patriots are going to be in games, regardless of who is catching passes, because of him. He’s going to get a chance to prove himself on the biggest stage in the playoffs, and fans should be excited for that.
Efton Chism is ready
Patriots fans have found their lates overlooked slot receiver to fall in love with, and his name is Efton Chism. The rookie made some plays in the preseason, and finally got a chance at some real offensive action on Sunday.
He had a 30-yard gain in the middle of the field on his first target (that could have been a touchdown if he didn’t stumble) and also scored a sliding touchdown in the early second half. He would finish the game with only those two catches, but that is certainly enough to rile up the fan base and get them clamoring for more Chism on the field.
With Mack Hollins out until at least championship weekend, and Kayshon Boutte in concussion protocol, they might just get their wish.
Rhamondre Stevenson is an all-around weapon
There was a period of time, early in the season, where most Patriots fans were probably ready for the team to calling it quits on Rhamondre Stevenson. His fumble issues paired with uneven output was not what the Patriots extended him for.
Fast forward to Sunday, and a player looking fantastic both running and catching the ball. His patience and burst was noticeable, and the Patriots are going to need that if they want to win in the playoffs.
Being able to throw is important, but running the ball effectively is what can win you a championship, especially with a solid passing attack. Stevenson stepping up and playing well gives the Patriots offense a different feel, and the ability to control the clock could be a huge benefit for them in January.
Stefon Diggs is an ageless wonder
The Patriots entered the game thin at wide receiver, but they simply turned to their best wideout to make up for it. Stefon Diggs didn’t disappoint.
For the fifth time this year, and the second game in a row, Diggs went for over 100 yards receiving, finishing with six catches for 101 and a touchdown. He was active early and often, scoring on a quick pass on fourth down at the goal line.
Coming off a torn ACL, Diggs has been everything the Patriots hoped he would be and then so. He has been a great player on the field, and a great influence off of it as well. He’s one of the leaders of the team, and, while he has been happy being just a piece of the offense, he can clearly take over when he needs to as well.
Cold weather questions remain with Andy Borregales
Andy Borregales lacking cold weather experience was one of the big talking points after the Patriots selected him in the sixth round of this year’s draft, and questions remain at this point in the season. He hit all six of his extra point attempts against the Jets, but doinked his only field goal attempt off the right upright from 41 yards away.
He has been solid for the vast majority of the season, but he might need a few more opportunities in frigid conditions to get ready for the playoffs and comfortable in the cold. I have faith, as I know that Mike Vrabel does, but, since it’s something that he hasn’t done, it will continue be worth watching.
The depth steps up
The Patriots came into the game with a boatload of starters injured. Because of that, they needed a whole lot of depth players to step up, and that’s exactly what they did.
Ben Brown filled in again for Jared Wilson at left guard and played well. Vederian Lowe continues to deliver in place for Will Campbell, who is now eligible to return from injured reserve. We talked about Efton Chism already, while Kyle Williams played well at receiver as well, outside of one drop.
Their linebackers, who have been much maligned, looked good on Sunday too. It remains to be seen whether or not the Patriots can win a playoff game with this many depth players logging important minutes, but the hope is that they won’t have to worry about that and can get some guys healthy in the coming weeks.
Aaron Glenn is a mess
The Jets have their new head coach in Aaron Glenn, but how good he really is is yet to be determined. There isn’t much that he could have done with this team this year, starting with Justin Fields at quarterback, and dealing with a rash of injuries as well. They traded away their two best defensive players at the deadline, too, so they clearly have their eyes on the future.
With that being said, sometimes you can just tell that a guy doesn’t have it as a head coach, as the Patriots did with Jerod Mayo last year. It’s unclear whether or not Glenn will ever be a good head coach, but he certainly wasn’t good on Sunday.
Running back-to-back fake punts might be a fireable offense on its own. Aside from that, the Jets just simply didn’t look ready to play on Sunday. Maybe it’s not fair to judge him based on what has happened this year, but I have serious questions as to whether or not he’ll ever be up for the job. Then again, it would be great for the Patriots if he isn’t, so I’m cool with the Jets keeping him for as long as they want.
A remarkable turnaround continues
With the Bills loss to the Eagles on Sunday, the Patriots have clinched their first AFC East title in the first year of the Mike Vrabel era, and for the first time since Tom Brady left. It’s pretty hard to believe that this time last year, fans were hoping that they would lose their final game to keep the first overall pick, and now they have already won their division.
They are still fighting for the No. 1 seed as well, but are going to need some help. With a win next weekend, and a Broncos loss to the Chargers, the Patriots would slide into the No. 1 spot and get a first round bye. The bye would be huge for a team that has been struggling to get healthy lately.
Whatever happens next week, though, the Patriots are now guaranteed at least one home playoff game. Coincidentally, the last time the Patriots had a home playoff game, they lost; the last time Mike Vrabel had a playoff game at Gillette Stadium as a coach, he won. Whoever the Patriots end up playing, wild card or division round, the playoffs are finally back in Foxborough.
More division action awaits
Next week, the Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins for the final game of the regular season. They finished the season undefeated on the road, but suffered their three losses at home, all of which could have been prevented.
In total, the Patriots are a better team than the Dolphins, but Miami is coming in playing good football. After losing the last two weeks, they beat the Buccaneers on Sunday, and have also beaten the Bills earlier this year.
Rookie Quinn Ewers is getting the start again for the Dolphins at quarterback, and he looked good on Sunday against Tampa. This is a game that the Patriots should absolutely win, but they have to come ready to play, because Miami would love to spoil the Patriots’ chances at a first-round bye — something they also managed to do back in 2019.
