Drake Maye and the Patriots had built a lead, watched it shrink, and then needed one last long march to protect it. In a division game full of sharp turns, Maye threw three touchdown passes as New England held off the New York Jets 26-19 at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots entered at 3-2, looking to prove last week’s offensive explosion was more than one big afternoon. The Jets arrived at 2-3 hoping their hard-nosed style could keep them close in the playoff chase.

New York came out ready to challenge the home team. Geno Smith guided the Jets from their own 28 to the New England 14, with Garrett Wilson making an early 15-yard catch and Braelon Allen pounding out tough yards. A touchdown pass was erased by a penalty, so Jason Sanders kicked a 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 Jets lead.

The Patriots answered after their defense created breathing room with back-to-back sacks. Maye’s first pass to A.J. Brown was later changed to an incompletion on review. Two plays after that, Maye launched a deep throw to Romeo Doubs for a 42-yard touchdown. It was a fast, powerful answer that put New England ahead 7-3.

The Jets kept running at the Patriots, and Allen finished with 78 rushing yards. Yet New England’s defense stiffened when it mattered. The Jets reached the Patriots’ 39 late in the first half but came away empty. Maye then led a quick drive before halftime, finding Hunter Henry twice and DeMario Douglas for a 9-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left. New England took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Still, the Jets would not fade. Omar Cooper Jr. caught a 48-yard touchdown from Smith early in the third quarter, slicing the gap to 17-10. Then linebacker Jamien Sherwood forced and recovered a TreVeyon Henderson fumble at the New England 36. The Jets could only turn that short field into another Sanders field goal, but they were within 17-13.

Maye’s offense answered again in the fourth. A 7-yard touchdown pass to Henry capped a patient drive and made it 23-13. The extra point missed, leaving the door open. Smith tried to lead the Jets back, but a deep throw was intercepted by a Patriots safety. New York got another chance after Douglas lost a fumble following a 39-yard catch, and Sanders cut the score to 23-16.

That was the game’s biggest moment. With 7:20 left, the Patriots did not rush or panic. Henry caught a key 15-yard pass, then Corey Kiner powered for 57 rushing yards overall, including five straight carries that pushed New England to the Jets’ 6. Andy Borregales made a 27-yard field goal for a 26-16 lead.

Smith led one final drive, and Sanders added a field goal with 32 seconds left. But New England recovered the onside kick and Maye kneeled out the win. The Patriots moved to 4-2 and next face the Chicago Bears, carrying proof that they can win even when their fast offense must become a careful finisher. The Jets fell to 2-4 before meeting the Miami Dolphins, but their resilient push showed a team still fighting for every chapter ahead.

Drake Maye’s Calm Finish Carries Patriots Past Jets