Drake Maye's 3 TD passes help injury-ravaged Patriots defeat Jets

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Oct 18, 2026

Published in Football

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots held on to win their Week 6 divisional matchup over the Jets despite getting wrecked by injuries once again.

The Patriots lost four offensive starters and got down to their last offensive lineman off the bench in the 26-19 win, improving their record to 4-2 on the season.

Wide receiver A.J. Brown returned in an ugly performance with multiple drops.

Quarterback Drake Maye made the most of what the Patriots had left on offense to throw three touchdowns.

The Patriots’ defense forced multiple key stops and made the Jets settle for three field goals.

The Patriots’ defense was gashed early on the Jets’ opening drive, allowing five first downs. But ultimately, they bent but did not break, allowing a 42-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders for the Jets to take a 3-0 lead. Safety Kevin Byard forced the field goal with a key pass breakup on third-and-24 after an offensive pass interference penalty pushed the Jets out of the red zone.

After a three-and-out from the offense, the defense got back on track with their own three-and-out. Defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore forced a punt with back-to-back punts.

The Patriots responded with a two-play, 42-yard touchdown-scoring drive. After a first-down incompletion to Brown, Maye had enough time in the pocket to make a ham sandwich and delivered a 42-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs on second down.

The Jets were driving once again but went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Patriots’ 30-yard line when running back Braelon Allen, who had been effective, was stuffed for a 1-yard gain.

The Patriots were forced to punt after picking up just one first down. Maye started the game 0 for 3 on targets to Brown. Brown had a catchable pass bounce off his fingertips on a deep target from Maye.

For the second straight drive, the Patriots defense stuffed the Jets on a fourth-down rushing attempt. The Patriots took over the ball at their own 39-yard line. They put together a 12-play, 47-yard drive, eating up over five minutes of clock before Andy Borregales kicked a 32-yard field goal to extend the Patriots’ lead to 10-3. Maye completed his first pass to Brown since Week 1 but began the game just 1 of 5 for 8 yards throwing to the top wideout.

After forcing a quick three-and-out from the Jets, the Patriots got back on the board before the half ended when Maye found DeMario Douglas for a 9-yard touchdown completion. It was Douglas’ third touchdown in the last two weeks.

The Patriots came out of the half and turned the ball over on downs when they went for it on fourth-and-5 from the Jets’ 40-yard line. The drive ended with back-to-back incompletions from Maye to Brown, eliciting boos from the Gillette Stadium crowd.

The Jets cut the Patriots’ lead to 17-10 just three plays later when QB Geno Smith hit rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper for a 48-yard touchdown.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson fumbled the ball away to the Jets on the Patriots’ next drive, but the defense stepped up and forced the Jets to settle for a 36-yard field goal, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 17-13.

The Patriots increased their lead to 23-13 on their ensuing drive. Maye hit tight end Hunter Henry for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a two-score lead. Borregales missed his extra point.

The Patriots got the ball back at their own 24-yard line when cornerback Charles Woods picked off Smith. It was the Jets QB’s first interception of the season.

The Jets responded with their own takeaway. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood punched out the ball after Douglas picked up 40 yards on a catch-and-run. Douglas was trying to pick up additional yards after the catch with multiple defenders in front of him when the ball was forced out. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered it and returned the fumble 24 yards.

The Patriots’ defense stepped up again in a disadvantageous situation and forced the Jets to settle for a 40-yard field goal, holding onto a 23-16 lead.

Third-string running back Corey Kiner carried the load for the Patriots on a 13-play, 51-yard drive that culminated with another field goal, with eight straight rushing attempts for 42 yards. Borregales was good from 27 yards out to go up 26-16.

The Jets kicked a 36-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the game to make the score 26-19 before attempting an onside kick. The Patriots recovered to end the game after it was initially dropped by Brown.

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