The New England Patriots have officially returned to their perch atop the NFL, riding the arm of Drake Maye and the legs of rookie TreVeyon Henderson to a commanding 27-14 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The win extends New England's winning streak to eight games and gives them the best record in the league at 9-2, marking a stunning turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
Maye's MVP Case Strengthens in Prime Time
Drake Maye delivered another masterful performance that had Patriots fans chanting "MVP" throughout the night at Gillette Stadium. The second-year quarterback completed 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions, posting a 107.6 passer rating against a depleted Jets defense.
Maye's accuracy was particularly impressive, as he connected on his first 11 passes of the night, the longest streak to start a game in his young career. He showed remarkable poise and decision-making, consistently finding Stefon Diggs (9 catches, 105 yards) and Mack Hollins for key conversions while avoiding the turnovers that have plagued many young quarterbacks in similar situations.
"He brings it every day, and he cares about us," Maye said of coach Vrabel after the game. "He coaches hard, but he cares about us. We love playing for him. I love playing for him. He was coaching on me about different things besides where to throw the ball. I guess the biggest thing about him is he's coaching leadership."
Henderson's Breakout Performance
While Maye commanded the offense, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson stole the show with a career-defining performance. The second-round pick scored all three of New England's touchdowns—two on the ground and one through the air—becoming just the second Patriots rookie in franchise history to accomplish that feat, joining Rob Gronkowski.
Henderson handled a career-high 24 touches, totaling 93 yards from scrimmage (62 rushing, 31 receiving) while showcasing the power and vision that made him a coveted prospect. After scoring just one touchdown in his first nine NFL games, Henderson now has six touchdowns in his last two contests.
"Really, them first two touchdowns, all my offensive linemen, I gotta give those guys credit," Henderson said humbly. "They make my job easier. Those guys put in the dirty work."
Defense Does Its Job
The Patriots defense continued its impressive season, holding the Jets to just 245 total yards and 14 points. While they allowed Justin Fields to scramble for 67 yards and a touchdown, they effectively limited the Jets' passing attack, forcing Fields into a pedestrian 15-of-26 performance for 116 yards.
New England's defense did show some areas for improvement, allowing the Jets to convert eight of their 14 third-down attempts and losing contain on Fields multiple times. However, a crucial fumble recovery by Anfernee Jennings in the fourth quarter helped seal the victory.
"They take the coaching. They take the hard coaching. They take the constant coaching," Vrabel said of his defense. "We tell them we're going to coach the hell out of them Monday through Saturday, and then Sunday is their day to play and let it loose."
Historic Turnaround Under Vrabel
The Patriots' eight-game winning streak matches their longest since Tom Brady's final season with the team in 2019, when they also started 8-0. More impressively, New England has already secured a winning season for the first time since 2021, when they last made the playoffs.
This represents a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that won just four games in each of the previous two seasons. Under Vrabel's leadership, the Patriots have developed an identity centered around disciplined football, strong defense, and efficient offense.
"I appreciate the identity," Vrabel said. "It's ours, and it's theirs, and they protect it, and we have to practice it every day, whether that's Wednesday or Thursday. The last six weeks, we have gotten better because we practice speed on Thursdays, and guys are going after it."
What's Next for the Patriots
With the victory, the Patriots now sit alone atop the AFC standings, holding a half-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, who are both 8-2. According to playoff projections, New England has a 44% chance at securing the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
The Patriots will enjoy a mini-bye before traveling to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on November 23. The extended break should provide valuable recovery time for key players, including defensive tackle Milton Williams, who left Thursday's game with an ankle injury.
As the Patriots continue their surprising run, Maye's MVP candidacy continues to gain momentum. His +260 odds trail only Matthew Stafford (+250) in the latest betting markets, a testament to his rapid development and the team's success under his leadership.
"Coach, here, and the guys around me, that's the biggest thing," Maye said when asked about the keys to his success. "They do a lot of work for me. We show up every Sunday and just try to play together. The biggest thing is we've got work to do."
For a franchise that endured several years of mediocrity after the Brady-Belichick era, the Patriots' resurgence under Maye and Vrabel represents one of the NFL's most compelling stories of the 2025 season. With eight straight wins and the league's best record, New England has firmly re-established itself as a championship contender.
