Patriots face Jets and Drake Maye has one final push for AFC East title today

Patriots face Jets today in a Week 17 matchup with major AFC East implications at MetLife Stadium. New England (12-3) aims to clinch the division title and complete a perfect 8-0 road record in thrilling fashion. The Jets (3-12) look to spoil the party against a Patriots team that beat them 27-14 earlier this season.

Patrick Mahomes Comparison: Drake Maye’s Breakout Rookie Season

Drake Maye has established himself as an elite quarterback option in his first season. The 22-year-old leads the entire NFL in completion percentage (70.9%) while ranking third in passer rating (108.5) and fourth in passing yards.

In Week 16, Maye delivered a career-best 380 passing yards with two touchdowns in a clutch 28-24 comeback victory over Baltimore. He completed 31 of 44 passes and currently ranks second in yards per attempt (8.71) behind Tampa Bay’s Sam Darnold (8.73).

The Patriots offense ranks sixth overall in the NFL and seventh in scoring. Maye‘s precision passing will be crucial against a Jets defense that ranks 31st in generating pressure this season.

Unstoppable on the Road: Patriots’ Perfect Away Record

The Patriots enter Week 17 as the only team that remains undefeated away from home at 7-0. A victory against the Jets would give them an 8-0 road record, making New England just the third franchise in history to accomplish this feat.

Metric	Patriots	Jets
Record	12-3	3-12
Road Record	7-0	1-6
Home Record	5-3	2-6
Head-to-Head 2025	1-0 (27-14 W)	0-1 (14-27 L)

AFC East Title on the Line at MetLife Stadium

New England can clinch the AFC East division title with a victory today. The Patriots currently hold a one-game lead over the Buffalo Bills (11-4), and securing the division crown would mark their first title since 2019.

Additionally, head coach Mike Vrabel‘s team remains in contention for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If Denver (also 12-3) loses their season finale, and the Patriots defeat both the Jets and Miami Dolphins in Week 18, New England would secure the top playoff seed. Maye told reporters the team is focused solely on beating New York first.

Jets’ Historic Struggles Put Patriots Heavily in Control

The Jets have been among the league’s worst teams this season. New York lost 29-6 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, tying a season-low in points scored and failing to record a touchdown.

New York also set an unwanted record: their defense has now gone 15 consecutive games without forcing an interception. Starting quarterback Justin Fields was benched after a 2-7 record, and the team has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball all season.

The Patriots will likely feature TreVeyon Henderson prominently in their ground game. ESPN expert Mike Reiss picks New England to win 27-14, repeating their dominant performance from November.

What Gives the Patriots Confidence Moving Forward?

Beyond the obvious talent mismatch, New England can take confidence from their recent form. The comeback win against Baltimore showed resilience and clutch execution when it matters most. The offense has found chemistry, and the defense remains stingy.

The wagering board reflects this reality: Patriots sit at -13.5 point favorites with moneyline odds at -1200, meaning bettors expect a dominating performance. Over/under is set at 42.5 total points, anticipating a defensive-minded game.

Can the Jets Manufacture One Final Upset Before the Season Ends?

With only two games remaining on New York‘s schedule, fans hope for any sign of competitive football before 2026 begins. The Jets finish at Miami in Week 18, making today essentially an elimination game for playoff pride.

Will Drake Maye continue his MVP-caliber play? Will New England finally achieve perfection on the road? Kickoff is at 1:00 PM ET on FOX today at MetLife Stadium.