8 moments that defined the Patriots’ win over the Jets

The New England Patriots entered Week 17 as massive favorites over the New York Jets, and they lived up to the pre-game expectation. Celebrating their eighth win in eight road games this year, they left their division rivals no chance and cruised to an easy 42-10 win that could have been even more lopsided had they not taken their foot off the gas in the second half.

Here is a Patriots-centric view at some of the key moments of the game.

Moment No. 1: Perfect start

The Patriots started the game with the football, and they got to work right away. Not needing a single third down, they marched down the field in seven plays, covering 61 yards and finishing with a touchdown. A significant chunk of that yardage was gained on a 24-yard Rhamondre Stevenson run:

Stevenson, who missed the first game between the Patriots and Jets, put the team right into scoring range. Three plays later, it capitalized by finding the end zone for the first time.

Drake Maye’s 2-yard touchdown pass to AustinHooper in the back of the end zone was the duo’s second scoring connection of the season. For New England’s offense and its young quarterback, it was just the beginning of a productive day.

Moment No. 2: One on the ground

The Patriots did most of their scoring on Sunday through passing the ball, but they also reserved one score for Rhamondre Stevenson. The veteran running back broke the plane in the late first quarter — finding a wide opening behind fullback Jack Westover — to put his team up 14-0. For Stevenson, this was the fifth touchdown of the season. It wouldn’t be his last.

Moment No. 3: Pitch and catch

Jets rookie quarterback Brady Cook entered Week 17 with six interceptions in three games and a pick rate of 6.1%. It did not take him long to throw another against the Patriots: on the very next drive after Rhamondre Stevenson put New England up 14-0, safety Jaylinn Hawkins moved over from his centerfield position for what might have been the easiest of his three interceptions so far this season.

Moment No. 4: The rout is on

The Patriots did not take long to capitalize on the Hawkins interception. Before finding the end zone for a third time, however, they saw wide receiver Stefon Diggs make one of his best catches of the season.

Out-jumping Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, Diggs gained 31 yards on the play and eventually finished the game with 101 receiving yards — all coming in the first half. This catch, his longest of the day, helped set up another Patriots TD.

Rhamondre Stevenson has been semi-actively involved as a receiver this season, entering the game with 25 catches to his name. Against the Jets, however, he tied a season-high with five receptions that he took for 55 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season: Drake Maye found him from 22 yards out on the first play of the second quarter to put their team up by 21 points.

Moment No. 5: Fourth-down perfection

The Patriots surrendered a field goal on the drive after Rhamondre Stevenson’s second TD of the day, but any thoughts of an improbable comeback by the home team were quickly gashed again. Drake Maye and company responded with an 11-play, 74-yard series that was capped by a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on a 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line.

Moment No. 6: Not done

The Patriots were not done torching the Jets before the half, and after a quick three-and-out got the ball back inside the two-minute warning. They got to work once again, and after covering 76 in just 1:17, they were back in the end zone. This time, the honors belonged to Hunter Henry, who caught his team-leading seventh touchdown to put New England up 35-3 at the half.

Moment No. 7: End zone debut

The Patriots spread the wealth around on Sunday, and one of the beneficiaries was rookie wide receiver Efton Chism. Seeing extended playing time with Kayshon Boutte out and Mack Hollins on injured reserve, he finished the game with the first two catches of his career — including a 10-yard touchdown from Drake Maye to cap New England’s first possession of the second half.

Moment No. 8: Day over

Taking a 42-3 lead midway through the third quarter meant that Drake Maye’s day was officially over. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs entered the game at that point, allowing the MVP candidate some rest. Maye finished the game with 19 completions on 21 attempts for 256 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Not too shabby.