Patriots fall apart in embarrassing 35-6 loss to Jaguars

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Sep 27, 2026

Published in Football

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2026 New England Patriots officially hit a new low in Sunday’s 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Quarterback Drake Maye played another one of the worst games of his NFL career, and his streak of disappointing performances has now hit seven straight games, dating back to last postseason.

The Patriots’ defense couldn’t halt the Jaguars’ rushing attack and allowed three passing touchdowns to Trevor Lawrence. All goodwill from impressive defensive performances against the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers was lost in the lopsided defeat.

Maye showed no signs of being last year’s MVP runner-up, completing just 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions, three sacks, two fumbles and a lost fumble.

He looked panicked and indecisive. Down 14-3 with less than a minute to go in the first half and facing third-and-2, Maye threw caution to the wind and targeted Efton Chism III even though the slot receiver was being blanketed by Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter. Hunter plucked it away. Though it was already an ugly first half, the play served as a turning point when the game really got away from the Patriots.

The Patriots’ defense at least started hot by forcing a three-and-out, assisted by a chop block penalty, which pushed the Jaguars’ offense back 6 yards on first down. The Jaguars were already backed up by an illegal block above the waist by linebacker and former Patriot Jahlani Tavai on the opening kickoff.

Maye and the offense were able to pick up one first down on a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Mack Hollins before being forced to punt back to the Jags. The Jags quickly punted back to the Patriots after picking up one first down of their own.

The Patriots had gained three yards before Maye handed the ball back to the Jaguars with a fumble. He was trying to uncork a throw, and the ball slipped out of his hand. It was recovered by Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton.

Recovered at the Jaguars’ 38-yard line, the QB Trevor Lawrence led his offense on a 10-play, 62-yard drive for the first points of the day, finding rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron for a 12-yard touchdown.

The Patriots responded with a three-and-out but got the ball back immediately when Marcus Jones picked off Lawrence off a pass breakup from safety Jaylen Reed. They were able to get on the board with a 35-yard field goal from Andy Borregales. The drive started inauspiciously with two consecutive penalties, setting up first-and-30. They were able to gain 23 yards after the penalties to set up the field goal.

The Jags extended their lead to 14-3 with a touchdown catch from former Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Lawrence leaned on his rushing attack on the nine-yard, 65-yard scoring drive.

The Patriots got all the way down to the Jaguars’ 2-yard line before Maye tossed an interception on a target to Chism III that was picked off by Hunter. It was Maye’s second turnover of the game and took points off the board before the half.

The Jaguars attempted a 70-yard field goal to end the half, but it was wide right and no good.

The Patriots were able to get into field goal range on their first drive of the second half, but Borregales’ 38-yard field goal was wide right and no good.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars capped off their next drive, a 15-play, 72-yarder, with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to wide receiver Parker Washington.

Maye began the Patriots’ next offensive series with an immediate interception. The Jaguars increased their lead to 28-3 with a 5-yard run from Chris Rodriguez Jr.

The Patriots got down to the red zone on their next drive but were forced to kick a field goal when Hollins was penalized for taunting after a 9-yard gain.

The Jaguars increased their lead to 35-6 with an eight-play, 49-yard drive in the fourth quarter.

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