The New England Patriots beat the New York Jets 26-19 at Gillette Stadium, and the gap showed up in finishing drives. New York reached the red zone 3 times without scoring a touchdown, and Jason Sanders kicked 4 field goals.

New England outgained New York by about 60 yards and held the ball for virtually the same time. The Patriots won despite losing 2 fumbles, while the Jets turned it over once.

How It Happened

Sanders opened the scoring with a 42-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Drake Maye answered with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs, putting New England up 7-3 after one.

The second quarter belonged to the Patriots. Andy Borregales hit a 32-yard field goal with 1:46 left, then Maye found DeMario Douglas for a 9-yard touchdown with 14 seconds before the break. New England took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

The Jets came out swinging in the third. Geno Smith hit Omar Cooper Jr. for a 48-yard touchdown, and Sanders added a 36-yarder to pull New York within 4.

Maye's third touchdown pass, a 7-yarder to Hunter Henry early in the fourth, restored a 10-point lead, though Borregales missed the extra point. Sanders kicked a 40-yarder, Borregales answered from 27 yards with 1:12 left, and Sanders' 36-yarder with 32 seconds remaining only made the final 26-19.

Key Performers

Drake Maye: 3 passing TD (Doubs 42, Douglas 9, Henry 7)
Patriots passing: 18-32, 235 YDS, 3-0 (TD-INT)
Patriots rushing: 36 ATT, 148 YDS
Jason Sanders: 4 field goals (42, 36, 40, 36), 1 PAT
Jets passing: 20-30, 227 YDS, 1-1 (TD-INT)
Jets rushing: 27 ATT, 97 YDS

Maye was the difference. All 3 of New England's touchdowns came through the air, and the Patriots did not allow a sack. The Jets, by contrast, took 3 sacks for 25 yards.

New England's ground game did the quieter work. The Patriots ran for about 50 more yards than the Jets and averaged more per carry. They also converted 8 of 15 third downs.

The Jets went 3 of 10 on third down and 0 for 2 on fourth. Despite 21 first downs and 324 yards, they scored one touchdown.

What It Means

The Patriots move to 4-2 and remain unbeaten at Gillette Stadium at 3-0. On the road they are 1-2, so their home record is carrying their season so far.

That split matters going forward. Foxborough has been where New England stacks wins, and this one came despite 2 lost fumbles and a missed extra point.

The Jets fall to 2-4 and 1-3 away from home. Their 0-for-3 red zone finish stands out in a 7-point loss.