FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Interstat) — The New England Patriots methodically dispatched the New York Jets 27 to 14 on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, using a dominant second half to solidify their standing atop the AFC East.

A crowd of 64,628 watched as Patriots quarterback Drake Maye efficiently dissected the Jets defense, completing 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. His performance was complemented by a sturdy defensive effort that stifled the Jets after a promising start.

The game began with a surprising burst from the visitors. The Jets, led by the dynamic running of quarterback Justin Fields, engineered a commanding 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on the game’s opening possession. Fields capped the nearly nine-minute march with a 5-yard scoring run, giving New York an early 7 to 0 lead. Fields was the engine of the Jets’ offense, rushing for 67 yards on 11 carries and throwing for another score.

New England’s offense, stymied on its first drive, found its rhythm in the second quarter. The Patriots responded with two touchdown drives, both finished by running back TreVeyon Henderson plunging into the end zone from 7 yards out. The scores, which erased the early deficit and sent the teams into halftime tied at 14, showcased a balanced attack from Maye, who connected with receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins for key gains to move the chains.

The Patriots seized control for good on their first possession of the second half. Maye orchestrated a 69-yard drive, methodically moving down the field before finding Henderson on a 6-yard touchdown pass to take a 21 to 14 lead. Diggs was a primary target throughout the night, hauling in 9 catches for 105 yards.

The Jets answered swiftly, with Fields launching a 22-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie III to knot the game at 21. The scoring strike was a brief moment of resurgence for a New York offense that would struggle to sustain momentum for the remainder of the contest.

New England’s defense tightened its grip from that point forward. The Patriots held the Jets to just 116 net passing yards and consistently pressured Fields. The unit was led by linebacker Robert Spillane, who registered 9 tackles.

The Patriots broke the tie early in the fourth quarter with a 44-yard field goal from Andy Borregales. The game’s decisive turnover followed shortly after, when Jets receiver Isaiah Williams mishandled a backward pass from Fields, resulting in a fumble recovered by Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings at the New York 11-yard line. The takeaway led to another Borregales field goal, this time from 26 yards, extending the New England lead to 27 to 14 with 6:36 remaining.

The Jets’ final drive reached the New England 13-yard line, but the possession stalled, ending on a fourth-down sack by the Patriots’ defense, sealing the victory.

With the win, New England improves its record to 9 wins and 2 losses, maintaining a firm hold on the division. The Jets, who were coming off an upset win over Cleveland, fall to 2 wins and 8 losses, their playoff hopes continuing to dim.

The Patriots’ defense was a collective force, with Jack Gibbens, Christian Gonzalez, Jaylinn Hawkins and Elijah Ponder each recording 5 tackles. Ponder and Christian Barmore each notched a sack.

For the Jets, Breece Hall rushed for 58 yards on 14 carries, while Metchie led the receivers with 45 yards and a touchdown on three catches. The Jets’ defense was busy, with Quincy Williams, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Brandon Stephens and Jamien Sherwood each being credited with 8 tackles.

New England next travels to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 23. The Jets will visit the Baltimore Ravens on the same day.