The New England Patriots expected Mike Vrabel’s first season to be about establishing toughness, culture, and patience. Instead, it has quickly become something far greater. With a 27–14 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night, the Patriots extended their win streak to eight games, moved to 9–2, and—pending the rest of Week 11’s games—sit atop the entire NFL standings.
Not bad for a franchise that won just four games each of the last two seasons.
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson once again led the way, scoring all three Patriots touchdowns—two on the ground and one through the air—while fellow rookie Drake Maye delivered another steady, efficient performance to keep New England rolling and firmly in the AFC East driver’s seat.
The Patriots’ eight-game winning streak matches their longest since Tom Brady’s final season in 2019, and their 3–0 start in divisional play is also their best since that year.
With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined for the third straight week due to a toe injury, Henderson shouldered the load and produced his best all-around game yet. He logged a career-high 19 carries for 62 yards, punching in a pair of 7-yard touchdowns in the first half and adding a touchdown reception that helped New England build its cushion.
The effort comes just four days after Henderson scored twice in the win over Tampa Bay, giving him four rushing touchdowns in five days.
His physicality set the tone in damp, chilly conditions that dropped into the high-30s at Gillette Stadium.
Drake Maye controlled the offense with the poise Patriots fans are becoming accustomed to, completing 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and the touchdown to Henderson.
His favorite target was Stefon Diggs, who hauled in nine receptions for 105 yards, marking his third 100-yard game of the season and providing the consistent chain-moving presence New England needed on a night where big plays weren’t easy to come by.
The Patriots finished with 336 total yards, a strong showing in the slippery conditions.
Already thin offensively, the Jets’ night became even tougher when top receiver Garrett Wilson was placed on injured reserve earlier Thursday with a knee injury.
Quarterback Justin Fields opened the game with a sharp, 14-play, 72-yard scoring drive—capped by his own 5-yard touchdown run—New York’s first opening-drive touchdown since Week 16 of last season. But it was downhill from there.
Fields threw a touchdown to John Metchie III, but he finished just 15 of 26 for 116 yards and struggled with consistency in the passing game. His mobility kept the Jets alive at times; he led the team with 67 rushing yards and an 11-yard score on 11 attempts.
New York mustered only 245 total yards, plagued yet again by untimely penalties, protection issues, and lack of rhythm.
A potentially game-changing sack late in the first half was wiped out by an illegal contact call. On the next snap, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers collided with safety Tony Adams, knocking a near-certain interception to the ground.
Those mistakes—and the inability to cash in late—proved costly. Trailing by 13 with just over two minutes remaining, New York faced a fourth-and-4 at the Patriots’ 15, but Fields’ pass for Jeremy Ruckert was broken up.
After falling behind 7–0, the Patriots responded with long, composed drives:
A 69-yard march ending with Henderson’s first 7-yard touchdown run. A 13-play drive featuring a fourth-down conversion from Maye to DeMario Douglas. A second Henderson rushing touchdown, again from 7 yards out, as he dragged multiple Jets defenders into the end zone.
From there, New England’s defense tightened, limiting Fields’ passing lanes and containing the Jets’ run game outside of the quarterback’s scrambles.
Both teams will be on the road for Week 12, each facing a playoff contender: Jets: at Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 23. Patriots: at Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 23
With its eighth consecutive win and a rookie-led offense getting stronger each week, New England suddenly looks like one of the NFL’s most complete teams. Mike Vrabel’s first season was supposed to be about rebuilding—but at 9–2, the Patriots are building something far more dangerous.
