Drake Maye, TreVeyon Henderson push New England Patriots to eighth straight win in defeating New York Jets

Already reveling in a breakout season from Drake Maye, the New England Patriots are now flexing a rookie running back who is gaining momentum, too.

The Patriots won their eighth straight game for an NFL-best 9-2 record via their 27-14 victory over the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday Night Football. Maye completed 25-of-34 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown, while TreVeyon Henderson found the end zone three times. The rookie rusher has now produced five TDs in his last two games.

After the Jets surprised New England with an opening drive touchdown by Justin Fields, Maye authored back-to-back Patriots’ scoring drives capped by rushing touchdowns by Henderson as the home team took a 14-7 lead into halftime.

Most demoralizing for the Jets was the six-play, 69-yard drive Maye and the Patriots built in the third quarter.

It included Maye stepping up out of a collapsed pocket under pressure before flinging a 21-yard pass to Stefon Diggs.

The very next play, Maye was flushed out to the sideline but alertly dropped off a pass for Diggs just before heading out of bounds for an additional 18 yards.

A couple of plays later, he pump-faked to freeze the Jets’ defense and floated a six-yard touchdown pass into the hands of an open Henderson.

Though the Jets responded with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Fields to John Metchie III to pull Gang Green to within 21-14 with 3:10 left in the third quarter, that is as close as they would get. Kicker Andy Borregales added a couple of field goals in the fourth quarter to pad out the Pats' lead to 27-14, which stood.

Diggs remained a big target for Maye, hauling in nine receptions for 105 yards.

Making it eight straight victories marks the Patriots longest win streak since 2019 which was the last time they won the NFC East division.

Of their remaining six games, only the Buffalo Bills (6-3) have a winning record, though the Baltimore Ravens (4-5) are making a late surge.