New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
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Score: New England 27, New York 14
Patriots Takeaway: Drake Maye Is Not the MVP, But His Play Makes New England Elite
Maye is piecing together a spectacular sophomore campaign, and he now finds himself among the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Despite what Patriots fans continue to chant each weekend, he’s not the league’s MVP. He doesn’t need to be.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is playing the quarterback position at a higher level than anyone else this season. In Indianapolis, Jonathan Taylor is the league’s best player right now since he’s well on his way to becoming a triple-crown winner as the NFL’s top back in carries, rushing yardage and touchdown runs.
However, Maye is doing what really matters, which is leading the 10-2 Patriots to the NFL’s best record. Like any great quarterback, the New England signal-caller is making those around him better.
During Thursday’s matchup, the 2024 third overall draft pick completed 73.5 percent of his passes. More importantly, his ability to extend plays bordered on Mahomesian.
The Patriots aren’t just a good story; they’re Super Bowl contenders. Maye’s development is the driving force behind the team’s renewed success.
Winner: RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
Over the last two weeks, Henderson has asserted himself as the Patriots’ RB1.
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to deal with a turf toe injury. When the 27-year-old ball-carrier returns to the lineup, he must do so in a complementary role since Henderson is clearly a better option as the lead back.
This year’s 38th overall pick didn’t have the same explosive plays Thursday after two huge runs Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he showed a level of toughness slamming the ball between the tackles to prove he’s not a one-dimensional runner.
In the last five days, the rookie back managed 33 carries for 209 yards and five total touchdowns. He deserves a featured role.
Jets Takeaway: Justin Fields Starting No Longer Serves any Purpose
Each week, the Jets struggle to move the ball. It’s time to make a change at quarterback.
While this sentiment has been growing for weeks, what is the point of Fields being in the lineup anymore? The veteran quarterback has thrown for fewer than 130 yards in four of the Jets’ last five games.
New York’s offense lacks any timing, rhythm or cohesion, hence why the unit finds itself among the league’s bottom five.
At 2-8 with five first-round draft picks over the next two classes, everything the Jets do from this point forward is about their quarterback evaluation.
Fields isn’t the answer. Tyrod Taylor is a proven backup, but he’s not the solution, either. The Jets could at least get a look at rookie Brady Cook from the practice squad just to see if he provides any type of spark.
Whatever the case, the situation is dire and the Jets simply have to make it through their next seven games.
Loser: WR Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
Fields could have looked a little better if Adonai Mitchell had caught more than one pass. Instead, the wide receiver acquisition from the Indianapolis Colts dropped three.
They weren’t all going to be easy snags. At the same time, Mitchell is far too talented to continually experience these breakdowns. These miscues are exactly why the Colts were ready to dump the second-year target. If Mitchell wasn’t a throw-in as part of the Sauce Gardner deal, the Cleveland Browns had a deal in place to acquire his services.
Talent only takes a player so far. Mitchell has immense untapped potential. It doesn’t matter if he never puts it all together.
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