Overview
- Drake Maye completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns to help New England beat the Jets 26-19, a performance that continued his recent run of reliable play.
- A.J. Brown returned from a high-ankle sprain and was targeted 10 times but finished with three catches and a career-high three drops that he called his responsibility and described as poor timing.
- Teammates and coach Mike Vrabel publicly backed Brown after the game, with Maye saying he will keep throwing to him and Vrabel saying the team has confidence Brown will finish plays.
- Brown told reporters he is ‘absolutely’ ready to play on short rest, a key detail as the Patriots face the Bears on Thursday and must quickly repair timing amid mounting offensive injuries.
- Maye’s surge has turned him into a reliable starter and fantasy option after consecutive strong games, and New England’s depth and recent wins mean the team can absorb one uneven performance from its top offseason addition if Brown rebounds quickly.