The New England Patriots stayed in the win column on Sunday with a divisional win over the New York Jets. While head coach Mike Vrabel said his team tried to beat itself, the Patriots celebrated a 26-16 victory to improve to 4-2 on the season.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live-viewing the Week 6 contest from the Gillette Stadium press box.
Winners
QB Drake Maye: The Jets entered Sunday as one of the most aggressive defenses in football, but they smartly pivoted from that game plan blitzing Maye just nine times. Maye showed patience in clean pockets throughout the game that led to numerous big plays, such as the 42-yard touchdown to Romeo Doubs and a 9-yard touchdown to DeMario Douglas. It was an overall another efficient day in the office for Maye, who added +0.39 EPA per drop back.
TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight end was a steady presence for the Patriots’ offense on Sunday recording four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. Henry’s score came on a busted coverage on third-down while his three other receptions all moved the chains — including a 3rd-and-13 on the Patriots final offensive drive in which he made a defender miss. After a slower start to the year, Henry has been his usual self in recent weeks.
Offensive line: New England lost three starters along the offensive line Sunday but still did not allow a sack of Maye. Rookie Caleb Lomu continued to play well and did not allow a pressure in relief of Morgan Moses, while Will Campbell held up on the opposite end allowing just one pressure. Along the interior, New England was forced to use four different guards as Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse were called upon for the injured Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker. They were solid in relief, while Jared Wilson continued to be steady in pass protection (one pressure) with all the movement around him.
CBs Christian Gonzalez and Charles Woods: In his return, Christian Gonzalez played every defensive snap and matched up with star wide receiver Garrett Wilson for most of the day. On 17 matchups (12 in man coverage) Gonzales allowed just two catches for 20 yards on two targets. Charles Woods then earned a game ball for hauling in a late interception — the first Geno Smith had thrown all season.
Losers
WR A.J. Brown: There was plenty of rust for wide receiver A.J. Brown in his return from injured reserve. Brown was targeted a game-high 10 times but managed to bring in just three for 27 yards. Maye had two misfires in Brown’s direction while the receiver dropped two passes — including a deep go-ball down the right sideline — and failed to corral the final onside kick.
“I didn’t play well. I don’t know – if the timing was off. I’m much better than what I put on display today, there’s no excuses. I’ll be better,” Brown said post game.
In a positive department, Brown was creating separation throughout the game and played 52 snaps as his ankle felt healthy.
Honorable mentions
- The Patriots turned the ball over twice on Sunday with TreVeyon Henderson and DeMario Douglas fumbling. Douglas had a strong game elsewhere.
- Kyle Williams ran a nice route on a third-down that Drake Maye converted with plenty of anticipation. Efton Chism III then played 42 snaps with most of his contributions coming in the run game as a blocker.
- Romeo Doubs made an impressive 42-yard touchdown which he hurt his shoulder on. Vrabel noted postgame that looking back at it, the touchdown was “one of the huge plays of this football game.”
- Corey Kiner led the team in rushing as he ran hard late in the fourth quarter with eight straight carries.
- Elijah Ponder continued his strong start to the season with another sack working a stunt with Robert Spillane. He added three other pressures.
- Milton Williams and Christian Barmore recorded back-to-back sacks along the interior. DaQuon Jones was also notable early as a run defender and drew a pressure with Gabe Jacas on Woods’ interception.
- The Patriots kickoff return and coverage units had strong days, with Kiner also recording a 37-yard return.
- Punter Mitch Wishnowsky recovered from a poor snap to place a 54-yard punt at the three yards line.
- Andy Borregales missed an extra point, but made both short field goal attempts.