What’s another regular-season loss for the New York Jets at this point?
That’s what a half-empty crowd at MetLife Stadium probably felt watching the 2025 Jets go up against their arch-rival, the New England Patriots. An organization that had been absent from the playoffs for four years had magically turned its fortunes around.
All the Jets could do on Sunday was look on in envy while falling by a 42-10 final.
Week 17 Final
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New England got the scoring started from the opening drive. Drake Maye and Rhamondre Stevenson went 61 yards on just seven plays for the opening score—a two-yard pass to Austin Hooper.
After a Jets’ three-and-out, New England went right back to the air to shred New York’s much-maligned secondary. Another seven-play drive capped by a Stevenson touchdown run gave the Pats a 14-0 lead just 10 minutes into the contest.
A Cook interception turned into another Patriots score at the start of the second quarter. Maye found Stevenson for another score to send Jets fans home … a play into the second quarter.
Not much else needed to be said. The talent gap between the Jets and Patriots was stark from the very first play to the last. As New England continued to score touchdowns, all New York could do was ask itself one key question:
“How did the Pats rebuild into a machine so quickly?”
Whether it was the development of Maye as a former third overall pick, the arrival of Josh McDaniels and Mike Vrabel, or the infusion of talent in the offseason, the Patriots did everything right to rebuild their roster.
The Jets got a crash course on Sunday with how poorly the start of their own rebuild has gone. And as they inch closer to a potential shot at the first overall pick, questions about the viability of their young coaching staff will only get larger.
At 3-13, the Jets will finish the 2025 regular season on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Game time has yet to be determined.
Don’t worry, Jets fans. It’s almost over.
Jets Game Notes
- Breece Hall eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career. His 59-yard rushing scamper accounted for the Jets’ only touchdown of the day.
- New York’s quarterback room continues to shift. Veteran Tyrod Taylor was inactive due to an injury suffered in practice. Instead, the Jets called up Hendon Hooker from the practice squad to back up Cook.
- In terms of the 2026 NFL draft, the Jets did get some help courtesy of the Cleveland Browns’ upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gang Green now owns the third overall pick in the upcoming selection process in April.
- Drake Maye was superb throughout Sunday’s contest. He finished the day after just one half of play, leading the team on five scoring drives in the first half.
