Drake Maye Leads Patriots Past Giants, 33-15 Victory/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Drake Maye threw for two touchdowns and Marcus Jones added a 94-yard punt return as the New England Patriots rolled past the Giants 33-15. With the win, New England became the first NFL team to reach 11 victories this season. The Giants, meanwhile, continue their struggles with a seventh straight loss.
Patriots vs Giants: Quick Looks
- Patriots improve to 11-2, becoming the first team with 11 wins in 2025.
- Drake Maye threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
- Marcus Jones returned a punt 94 yards for a score.
- New England wins its 10th straight game, longest streak since 2015.
- Head coach Mike Vrabel joins elite group with 10+ wins in first season.
- Giants suffer seventh straight loss, fall to 2-11 on the season.
- Rookie QB Jaxson Dart returns from concussion, throws one TD.
- Patriots led 30-7 at halftime after dominant first-half performance.
- Giants special teams and defensive struggles continue to mount.
- Multiple injuries affected both teams, including concussions and hip injuries.
Drake Maye Leads Patriots Past Giants, 33-15 Victory
Deep Look
The New England Patriots continued their dominant season Monday night, defeating the struggling New York Giants 33-15 at home and becoming the first team in the NFL to reach 11 wins in 2025. Led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye and a dynamic special teams performance by Marcus Jones, the Patriots extended their winning streak to 10 games — their longest run of success since 2015.
Maye, continuing to show poise and leadership well beyond his years, completed 24 of 31 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He remained turnover-free in a performance that once again affirmed his growing role as the face of the franchise.
“Trying to be the conductor, the guy you trust with the ball,” Maye said after the win. “You want that responsibility.”
New England wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter. One of the night’s biggest highlights came from Marcus Jones, who returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown — his second punt return score of the season. Jones joined a short list of Patriots legends including Troy Brown, Irving Fryar, and Mike Haynes who have achieved multiple punt return touchdowns in a single season.
The Patriots went into halftime leading 30-7, marking the first time the Giants allowed 30 points in the first half since the final week of the 2009 season.
Giants’ Struggles Deepen
For the Giants, the season continues to spiral. Monday’s loss was their seventh straight, and third since parting ways with former head coach Brian Daboll. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart returned to action after missing two games due to a concussion and showed flashes of potential, completing 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown to Darius Slayton.
Still, Dart’s return wasn’t enough to spark a turnaround. The offense managed only two touchdowns, and the team continued to falter in key moments. One such instance occurred early in the game when Dart attempted to stay inbounds on a sideline scramble, leaving himself open to a powerful, clean hit by Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss. The hit sparked a brief skirmish between players, resulting in a penalty for unnecessary roughness — not against the hitter, but Giants tight end Theo Johnson for escalating the exchange.
Despite staying in the game, Dart acknowledged the physical nature of the play. “This isn’t soccer,” he said. “You’re going to take hits. It’s part of football.”
Patriots Capitalize on Giants’ Errors
The Patriots capitalized on every Giants mistake, including on special teams. In the second quarter, Giants kicker Younghoe Koo lined up for a 47-yard field goal, but his plant foot got caught in the turf. The kick was never attempted, and holder Jamie Gillan was tackled for a 13-yard loss by Jeremiah Pharms.
Later in the half, Gunner Olszewski fumbled a kickoff return after a heavy hit from Marte Mapu and Christian Elliss. The Patriots recovered deep in Giants territory and added a second field goal before the break, extending their already commanding lead.
Head coach Mike Vrabel, in his first season with the Patriots, added another milestone to his growing résumé. He became just the third NFL head coach since 1970 to win 10 or more consecutive games in his debut season with a franchise.
Personnel Decisions and Injuries
The Giants made headlines even before kickoff, benching rookie linebacker Abdul Carter — the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft — for the opening quarter. Head coach Mike Kafka said it was a coaching decision, not disciplinary, though Carter’s absence raised questions about his development and role.
Injuries also plagued both teams. For the Patriots, running back Terrell Jennings exited in the first quarter with a head injury and did not return. Linebacker Jack Gibbens was also shaken up in the third quarter. The Giants lost Olszewski to a concussion after the hit that caused his fumble and also saw running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. leave with a hip injury in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead
With both teams entering their bye weeks, the Patriots have a chance to regroup and prepare for a critical Week 15 matchup against Buffalo. Sitting atop the AFC at 11-2, they continue to separate themselves as the team to beat.
Meanwhile, the Giants will return in two weeks to host the Washington Commanders, still searching for answers in what has become a lost season.
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