The New England Patriots stayed in the win column on Sunday with a dominant 42-10 victory over the New York Jets.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing in the defeat.
QB Drake Maye: It was another near perfect outing for Drake Maye on Sunday, as the quarterback set a career-high with five touchdown passes and went over the 4,000-yard mark on the season to join Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe as the only other Patriots quarterbacks to reach that milestone.
In roughy 35 minutes of game time, Maye went 19-of-21 for 256 passing yards and those five touchdowns before Mike Vrabel went to backup QB Joshua Dobbs for closing duties. In total, Maye generated +1.24 expected points (100th percentile) while his 99.8 quarterback rating tied the single-game record dating back to the metric’s beginning in 2006.
WRs Stefon Diggs and Efton Chism III: Down both Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, New England turned to Stefon Diggs to carry the load at wide receiver on Sunday. That’s what the veteran did, as he brought in all six of his targets for 101 yards and a score as he logged his second-straight 100-yard performance. Diggs, whose play of the day featured a scramble drill that ended with him going over a defender’s back to make a highlight reel catch, is now just 30 yards shy of the 1,000 mark with one game remaining.
Down the depth chart, the injuries elevated UDFA Efton Chism III into a larger role as he played a season-high 41 offensive snaps (25 previously) splitting time out wide and in the slot. On the second drive of the game, Chism hauled in his first career catch as he took a slant against the blitz for 30-yard. He then hauled in his first career touchdown in the second half making an impressive sliding catch through contact.
CB Christian Gonzalez: Eyes were on New England’s top corner after Jets wide receiver AD Mitchell found success back in the Week 11 matchup. But, Gonzo took Sunday’s battle as he allowed just one catch for eight yards on five targets. The lone reception came short of the sticks on 3rd-and-10, while Gonzalez was also tight in coverage on Mitchell downfield which led to Jaylinn Hawkins’ interception.
