The New England Patriots had their hands full against an underrated New York Jets team determined to pull off an upset win at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Things got too close for comfort, but in the end, the Patriots did enough to survive a game riddled with mistakes against a tough AFC East division rival.
This wasn't the air parade assault by the Patriots that we saw against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Faced with a top-five defensive opponent, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye didn't have nearly as many opportunities to push the ball downfield. Instead, he leaned on the efficiency of the play-calling and his own decision-making to put the team in position to win its third straight game.
The defense did a solid job on a Jets offense that has avoided beating itself all season. Jets quarterback Geno Smith hadn't thrown an interception until Sunday's game against the Patriots, when he was picked off by cornerback Charles Woods.
The Jets found some success on the ground, and Smith even connected on a 48-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. in the third quarter. However, it never really felt like the Patriots were in trouble in the game.
Here are the studs and duds from the Week 6 matchup:
STUD: QB Drake Maye
No, Drake Maye didn't throw for nearly 400 yards and account for five touchdowns. However, with three starting offensive linemen down, the third-year quarterback threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns, with no sacks or turnovers, against a Jets defense that ranked top five in the NFL. It was an impressive showing for a young quarterback who masterfully handled the pressure all game long.
DUD: WR A.J. Brown
This clearly wasn't the return A.J. Brown was hoping for after missing the previous four weeks with an ankle injury. He had a career-high three dropped passes in Sunday's game, including a deep shot along the sideline early. With that said, the three-time All-Pro wideout was obviously experiencing some rust while trying to get in sync with a new team. It's going to take time before he's fully up to speed.
STUD: RB Corey Kiner
The ground game wasn't working against the Jets until Corey Kiner got the bulk of the carries late. He powered his way to a team-high 57 yards on 11 carries. TreVeyon Henderson wasn't 100 percent for the game, and Rhamondre Stevenson was averaging only 2.6 yards per carry. Kiner was the closer that the Patriots needed to put the Jets away for good.
DUD: K Andy Borregales
Patriots kicker Andy Borregales whiffed on an extra point in the game, which kept it within reach for the Jets. Instead of being down by two touchdowns, the Jets were down by a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter. It made way for some late-game drama that wouldn't have existed if Borregales made the kick.
STUD: TE Hunter Henry
Whenever a play needed to be made, Patriots tight end Hunter Henry was always in the right place to make it happen for the offense. He finished the game with four catches for 48 yards and one touchdown. After a slow start to the season, Henry is finally starting to make some noise in recent weeks.
STUD: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Patriots punter Mitch Wishnowsky earned his spot on this list after his beautiful boot in the second quarter that set the Jets up in bad field position.
Mitch Wishnowsky with a picture perfect punt.
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Wishnowsky has played well enough to make a case for the Patriots keeping him as the starter, even when Bryce Baringer is ready to return.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Studs and duds from Patriots' tough Week 6 win over Jets