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Patriots Clinch AFC East After Drake Maye’s 5-TD Performance

The performance sharpened his MVP momentum, setting up a live shot at the AFC’s top seed in Week 18.

Overview

  • New England beat the Jets 42-10 as Drake Maye went 19-of-21 for 256 yards and five touchdowns, throwing scores to five different receivers.
  • The Patriots improved to 13-3 and secured their first AFC East crown since 2019 after Buffalo later lost to Philadelphia.
  • Maye surpassed 4,000 passing yards and 30 TDs for the season, joining Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe in the franchise’s 4,000-yard club.
  • He became the first NFL player to complete at least 90% of his passes with 250+ yards and five TDs in a game; New England also finished 8-0 on the road for just the third time (2007, 2016).
  • DraftKings shortened Maye’s MVP odds from +300 to +180, and coach Mike Vrabel publicly backed his candidacy; the Patriots can still claim the AFC No. 1 seed with a Week 18 win and a Broncos loss.