The Jets (2-8) hung around for three quarters with the AFC East leading Patriots (9-2) but were ultimately unable to contain their divisional opponent and fell, 27-14, on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
The Green & White made a statement early, electing to receive the opening kickoff and conducting a 14-play, 72-yard drive that consumed over 8 minutes of the opening quarter and ended in a 5-yard rushing touchdown from QB Justin Fields. Newcomer WR Adonai Mitchell, who made his Jets' debut Thursday, recorded a key third-down reception in the red zone. Just two plays later, Fields sprinted to the outside, beat a defender and found the end zone.
New England answered with a scoring drive. QB Drake Maye led a 13-play 69-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard TD run by rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson.
For the remainder of the first half, the Jets struggled to find an offensive rhythm. All three second quarter possessions resulted in three-and-outs. New England took a 14-7 lead on the Patriots' second possession with another 7-yard rushing touchdown by Henderson. The Patriots had an opportunity to take a two-possession lead into halftime, but K Andy Borregales' 45-yard FG attempt before the half hit the right upright. The Jets entered the locker room trailing by 14-7.
To start the second half, both defenses got stops, but the Patriots extended their lead with Henderson's third score of the game, this time a 6-yard receiving TD, just shy of halfway through the third quarter. The Green & White cut into the lead with a 9-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 22-yard TD by John Metchie III, the first of his Jets' career, to make the score 21-14.
Despite battling back, the Jets were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit. Borregales converted a 44-yard FG attempt early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 10. With an opportunity to make it a one possession game halfway through the final stanza, the Fields lost a fumbled snap that resulted in a Patriots' FG.
The Jets then strung together a 12-play, 50-yard drive that was halted by an unsuccessful fourth down conversion attempt from New England's 15-yard line just before the two-minute warning.
RB **Breece Hall** eclipsed 3,000 career rushing yards Thursday, finishing the game with 14 carries for 58 yards, just the second RB to reach 50-plus rushing yards against the Pats this season. … QB **Justin Fields** rushed for 67 yards, his second-highest rushing mark this season. … K **Nick Folk** extended his perfect season, converting both extra point attempts. … Edge **Jermaine Johnson** recorded a sack for the second consecutive game, bringing his season total to 3. … CB **Brandon Stephens** recorded a key pass defense on a deep ball from QB Drake Maye to WR Mack Hollins in the fourth quarter. … CB **Qwan'tez Stiggers** sustained a hamstring injury in the second quarter, but he returned to the game in the third quarter. … The Jets had 7 costly penalties for 62 yards, including two unnecessary roughness calls.