FOXBOROUGH — After the Patriots hung on to beat the Jets, let’s take a look at who’s up, who’s down, and whom to watch against the Bears in Week 7.
Three up
Quarterback Drake Maye: Sunday wasn’t the offense’s best day, but Maye turned in a clean sheet with no turnovers and three touchdown passes. His completion percentage (56.3) was lower than average, but that was impacted by A.J. Brown’s multiple drops on catchable balls. Maye’s early-season woes appear to be behind him. According to Next Gen Stats, he now leads the NFL in deep passing yards this season with 439. That stat is encouraging, as Maye’s ability to convert deep downfield was one of his defining qualities last season.
Running back Corey Kiner: Kiner took advantage of his opportunities at the end of the fourth quarter, allowing the Patriots to run out the clock and forcing the Jets to burn all three of their timeouts. On New England’s final drive, Kiner took almost four minutes off the clock with eight consecutive carries for 42 yards. He also showed some pop as a kickoff returner. It will be worth watching whether Kiner’s production will lead to more opportunities on Thursday.
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Cornerback Christian Gonzalez: After being sidelined for two weeks with a shoulder injury, Gonzalez returned and matched up against Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson. When Gonzalez is available, New England’s defense can utilize man coverage more often and more effectively. According to Next Gen Stats, Gonzalez allowed just two receptions for 20 yards on two targets and 17 routes. That stat line is Gonzalez’s best performance against Wilson in their four games against each other. After the game, Jets coach Aaron Glenn said the coaching staff had a feeling Gonzalez was going to travel with Wilson, but the matchup cannot be an excuse for Wilson’s limited involvement.
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had a rough game upon returning from a high ankle sprain.
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had a rough game upon returning from a high ankle sprain. Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Three down
Brown: In the second quarter, a deep ball fell right through the wide receiver’s hands. Then, he and Maye couldn’t connect on a third-down play in the red zone. Later, he had a ball bounce off his hands in the back of the end zone. On back-to-back plays in the third quarter, he failed to bring in well-placed passes on third and fourth down. Maye targeted Brown a team-high 10 times on Sunday, but the result was just three receptions for 27 yards. Even on one of Brown’s few catches, Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey punched the ball out. (Brown was able to recover it.) Capping the disappointing performance was the Jets’ fourth-quarter onside kick attempt clanking off Brown’s hands. The struggles were impossible to ignore in Brown’s first game back from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the season opener.
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Running back TreVeyon Henderson: Henderson, who battled through an ankle injury to play on Sunday, fumbled to give the Jets life in the third quarter. The turnover gave them possession at New England’s 36-yard line. Henderson logged two more carries before staying on the sideline for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Ball security has been a recurring issue for the Patriots, who rank second in the league in giveaways (13). Henderson finished with seven carries for 31 yards, with his longest run going for 8.
Kicker Andy Borregales: Borregales missed an extra point in the fourth quarter that would have extended New England’s lead to 11 instead of 10. The miss didn’t end up costing the Patriots, but Borregales is up to three misfires on the season. (For reference, 17 teams still have a 100 percent conversion rate on extra points.)
Ben Brown was among three offensive lineman injured for the Patriots in their win over the Jets.
Ben Brown was among three offensive lineman injured for the Patriots in their win over the Jets.
Three to watch
Offensive line: The Patriots could have more shuffling across the offensive line, after Ben Brown (knee), Morgan Moses (ankle), and Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring) left Sunday’s game with injuries. Brown and Vera-Tucker did not practice on Monday or Tuesday, while Moses was a limited participant. Walter Rouse and Matt Pyror are in line to start at guard, the fifth and six players to do so this season.
Injured reserve movement: Tackle Marcus Bryant remains eligible to return off injured reserve, while Brown and Vera-Tucker are candidates to be placed on it. NFL teams are permitted to activate eight players off injured reserve during the regular season, with the Patriots already using three of their designations.
Run defense: The Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards and rank near the top of the league in multiple categories (e.g. rushing touchdowns, rushing first downs). New England’s run defense struggled against the Jets, who were without starting running back Breece Hall. Braelon Allen rushed for 78 yards on 17 carries, with four runs for double-digit yardage. The Patriots are one of two teams that have yet to surrender a 20-yard run, but the unit still has plenty to clean up before facing D’Andre Swift.