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Drake Maye’s 5-TD Gem Seals AFC East for Patriots, Sets Up No. 1 Seed Push

His second-year surge under Mike Vrabel has taken New England from consecutive 4-13 seasons to a division crown, with home-field still possible in Week 18.

Overview

  • New England routed the Jets 42-10 as Maye went 19-of-21 for 256 yards and five touchdowns, leading touchdown drives on each of his first six possessions before exiting late in the third quarter.
  • The victory clinched the Patriots’ first AFC East title since 2019 after Buffalo lost later in the day, pushing New England to 13-3 with a perfect 8-0 road record.
  • Maye became the first NFL player to complete at least 90% of his passes with 250-plus yards and five touchdowns in a game and set a franchise mark by throwing those scores to five different receivers.
  • He surpassed 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes this season, joining Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe in team history and strengthening his case as an MVP finalist.
  • DraftKings shortened Maye’s MVP odds to about +180 as coach Mike Vrabel publicly endorsed his quarterback, and a Week 18 home win over Miami could keep a path to the AFC’s top seed alive with help elsewhere.