Here’s who caught our eye, for better or worse, as we watched the Week 6 contest live from the Gillette Stadium press box. QB Drake Maye: The Jets entered Sunday as one of the most aggressive defenses in football, but they smartly strayed from that game plan by attacking Maye just nine times. Maye showed patience in clean pockets throughout the game, leading to numerous big plays, including the 42-yard touchdown to Romeo Doubs and a 9-yard touchdown to DeMario Douglas. Overall, it was another efficient day at the office for Maye, who added +0.39 EPA per putback. TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight end was a constant presence for the Patriots’ offense on Sunday recording four receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. Henry’s score came on a blown third-down coverage, while his three other receptions moved the chains, including a third-and-13 on the Patriots’ final offensive drive in which he made a defender miss. After a slower start to the year, Henry has been his usual self in recent weeks. Offensive line: New England lost three starters along the offensive line on Sunday, but still did not allow a sack of Maye. Rookie Caleb Lomu continued to play well and did not allow a pressure in relief of Morgan Moses, while Will Campbell held his own on the opposite end allowing just one pressure. Along the interior, New England was forced to use four different guards as Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse were called up for the injured Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker. They were solid in relief, while Jared Wilson continued to be steady in pass protection (a pressure) with all the movement around him. CB Christian González and Charles Woods: In his return, Christian González played every defensive snap and paired with star wide receiver Garrett Wilson for most of the day. In 17 matchups (12 in man coverage), Gonzales allowed just two receptions for 20 yards on two targets. Charles Woods then won a game ball for catching a late interception, the first Geno Smith had thrown all season. WR AJ Brown: There was a lot of rust for wide receiver AJ Brown in his return from injured reserve. Brown was targeted a game-high 10 times, but managed to score just three for 27 yards. Maye had two missed throws in Brown’s direction as the receiver dropped two passes, including a deep ball down the right sideline, and failed to corral the final onside kick. “I didn’t play well. I don’t know if it wasn’t the right time. I’m much better than what I showed today, there are no excuses. I’ll be better,” Brown said after the game. On a positive note, Brown was creating separation throughout the game and played 52 snaps while his ankle was being felt. healthy. The Patriots turned the ball over twice on Sunday with TreVeyon Henderson and DeMario Douglas fumbling. Douglas had a strong game elsewhere. Kyle Williams ran a good route on a third down that Drake Maye converted with plenty of anticipation. Efton Chism III then played 42 snaps with most of his contributions coming in the run game as a blocker. Romeo Doubs made an impressive 42-yard touchdown in which he injured his shoulder. Vrabel noted after the game that, looking back, the touchdown was “one of the great plays of this football game.” Corey Kiner led the team in rushing as he ran hard late in the fourth quarter with eight consecutive carries. Elijah Ponder continued his strong start to the season with another catch working with Robert Spillane. He added three more pressures. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore recorded consecutive sacks along the interior. DaQuon Jones also stood out early as a run defender and put pressure on Gabe Jacas on Woods’ interception. The Patriots’ coverage and kickoff return units had strong days, with Kiner also recording a 37-yard return. Kicker Mitch Wishnowsky recovered from a bad snap to place a 54-yard punt at the three-yard line. Andy Borregales missed an extra point, but made both field goal attempts short. Who gets your Patriots-Jets game ball? The Patriots are 4-2 after edging the Jets by a final score of 26-19. However, who is worthy of recognition? Closes in 3 days • 238 total votesSee resultsQB Drake MayeRB Corey KinerOffensive lineLB Robert SpillaneCB Christian GonzálezOtherRec 1CommentsFine lineComment icon BubbleReplyRead 20 responses
