Maye throws three touchdowns as Patriots hold off Jets, 26-19

Drake Maye threw touchdown passes to three receivers, and New England’s defense kept the Jets out of the end zone on all three of their red-zone trips in a 26-19 Patriots win Sunday.

Maye completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards without an interception as New England improved to 4-2. The Patriots needed those scores and several timely stops after losing receiver Romeo Doubs and three starting offensive linemen to injuries.

New York finished with more opportunities than its one touchdown suggested. The Jets recovered two Patriots fumbles, reached the red zone three times and had the ball within one score during the second half. They came away with four Jason Sanders field goals and a touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr., falling to 2-4.

An early lead survives the third quarter

Doubs’ diving 42-yard touchdown catch put New England in front in the first quarter. It was his only reception: he left with a shoulder injury and did not return. Maye later found DeMario Douglas for a nine-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left in the half, sending the Patriots into the break ahead 17-3.

Cooper, back from injured reserve, supplied New York’s biggest passing play with a touchdown catch in the third quarter. He finished with six receptions for 103 yards. A TreVeyon Henderson fumble then gave the Jets another opening, but Elijah Ponder’s third-down sack forced New York to settle for a field goal and a 17-13 deficit.

The Patriots responded with a 12-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. Maye found Hunter Henry from seven yards out, and the lead grew to 23-13 after a missed extra point. Charles Woods intercepted Geno Smith on the Jets’ next possession, disrupting another attempt to close the gap.

Milton Williams offered a glimpse of Mike Vrabel’s approach after the win. In NESN’s postgame video, the defensive tackle described the coach’s blunt demands and said he welcomed being challenged throughout the week. Williams expected that pressure to keep helping the Patriots improve as the season continued.

The pass rush gave him a concrete example. In the Patriots’ official postgame quotes, Williams said he and Christian Barmore had spent the week frustrated by getting close to quarterbacks without finishing. Vrabel had challenged them, too. Williams and Barmore then recorded sacks on consecutive first-half plays against the Jets. Williams still felt the defense had fallen short of its own standard despite doing enough to win.

Depth matters as injuries mount

New England allowed no sacks despite losing right tackle Morgan Moses, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and right guard Ben Brown. Mike Vrabel credited the replacements’ preparation in his postgame press conference. The Patriots also ran for 148 yards, with Corey Kiner contributing 57 on 11 carries.

Douglas led New England with seven catches for 86 yards. A.J. Brown caught three passes for 27 yards in his return from injured reserve. Maye’s three touchdown passes went to Doubs, Douglas and Henry.

Smith finished 20 of 30 for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Woods’ pick was Smith’s first of the season, according to the Associated Press. The Jets were 3 of 10 on third down and failed on both fourth-down tries.

Sanders’ final field goal made it a seven-point game with 32 seconds left, but New England recovered the ensuing onside kick. The Patriots next visit Chicago on Thursday. Vrabel said the short turnaround left the injured players’ availability uncertain; the Jets return home to face Miami.