Patriots Defeat Jets, Claim NFL’s Best Record/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rookie TreVeyon Henderson scored three touchdowns to lead the New England Patriots to a 27-14 win over the New York Jets, pushing their record to an NFL-best 9-2. Henderson’s breakout performance raises questions about his role even after starter Rhamondre Stevenson returns. Meanwhile, the Jets’ offense faltered again, dropping them to 2-8.
Patriots Improve to 9-2 Behind Henderson’s Heroics: Quick Looks
- TreVeyon Henderson scores 3 TDs, continues rookie breakout
- Patriots win eighth straight, now 9-2—best in the NFL
- Henderson sets rookie franchise records in consecutive games
- QB Drake Maye posts efficient outing, 281 yards and a TD
- Patriots defense continues to struggle on opening drives
- Jets’ offense ineffective again under Justin Fields
- WR Garrett Wilson out, Adonai Mitchell drops key passes
- Jets’ 10-game INT drought ties NFL record
Patriots Defeat Jets 27-14, Claim NFL’s Best Record
Deep Look
In a dominant Thursday night performance, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson propelled the New England Patriots past the New York Jets, 27-14, to secure the best record in the NFL at 9-2. The victory marked New England’s eighth consecutive win and further solidified Henderson’s role as a breakout star.
Starting in place of the injured Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson delivered two rushing touchdowns and added a receiving score, becoming the first rookie in Patriots history to log five touchdowns in a two-game span. The second-round pick out of Ohio State is drawing comparisons to Curtis Martin, joining the Hall of Famer as the only Patriots rookies with multiple rushing touchdowns in consecutive games.
In just three weeks, Henderson has more than doubled his playing time, including back-to-back 51-snap games leading up to Thursday. Once again, he played the majority of snaps, showing strong field vision and versatility.
Patriots Breakdown
Quarterback Drake Maye delivered a poised performance, completing 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. Maye opened the game by completing his first 11 passes—his longest streak to begin a game—highlighting his growing comfort in the Patriots’ system. Against the blitz, he remained sharp, going 5-for-5 for 41 yards and three first downs in the first half. He was sacked only once.
A concerning trend, however, is the defense’s vulnerability on opening drives. New England surrendered a touchdown on the Jets’ first possession—the sixth time this season, tying for the most in the league. Defensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who scripts opening series in practice from an opponent’s perspective, has yet to find a fix.
Still, the Patriots continue to roll and haven’t won this many consecutive games since they started 8-0 in 2019.
Next Game: at Cincinnati Bengals – Nov. 23, 1 p.m. ET
Jets Breakdown
The New York Jets, now 2-8, continue to spiral, with quarterback instability and injuries plaguing the offense. Justin Fields passed for just 116 yards on 15-of-26 attempts, barely avoiding his fifth game with under 100 yards thanks to late-game completions. Without Garrett Wilson, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, the Jets’ passing game once again lacked rhythm and explosiveness.
Fields managed one highlight—a 22-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie III late in the third quarter—but otherwise failed to stretch the field. The Jets completed just three passes longer than 9 air yards, an indicator of the offense’s persistent lack of aggression or confidence.
Head coach Aaron Glenn now faces a familiar dilemma: stick with Fields or turn to veteran Tyrod Taylor? Glenn’s weekly quarterback mystery may no longer serve a purpose, as neither quarterback is proving effective.
Adonai Mitchell, acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade, had a rocky debut. The rookie receiver dropped two passes, including one deep ball that hit him in stride. With Garrett Wilson out, Mitchell will continue to see increased snaps—but his early miscues contributed to the offense’s inefficiency.
On defense, the Jets’ decision to blitz less exposed their secondary. With rookie Azareye’h Thomas out (concussion) and Gardner already traded, third-stringer Qwan’tez Stiggers saw extended action, and the unit struggled. Patriots QB Maye carved up the coverage, and cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. each committed critical errors and penalties.
Pass rusher Will McDonald IV, fresh off a four-sack game, was limited to just one quarterback pressure while nursing a quad injury.
Perhaps most troubling, the Jets have now gone 10 straight games without an interception, tying an NFL record set by the 2017 Oakland Raiders. It’s a defensive drought that underscores a team in full rebuild mode, still searching for identity and consistency.
Next Game: at Baltimore Ravens – Nov. 23, 1 p.m. ET
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