The Patriots were able to extend their lead over the Jets late in the first half at Gillette Stadium.
After forcing a punt with just over a minute left in the second quarter, the Patriots were able to move the ball inside the Jets’ 9-yard-line on a pass to Pop Douglas that was combined with a roughing the passer call on Jets rookie linebacker David Bailey. A pair of incompletions left the Patriots with one last chance to get the ball into the end zone before halftime and they took advantage of it.
Drake Maye scrambled long enough to find Douglas for a touchdown that pushed the Patriots to a 17-3 lead. New England will also get the ball to start the third quarter.
Maye has not been sacked despite the Patriots losing a pair of offensive linemen to injury. Right tackle Morgan Moses is questionable to return with an ankle injury and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has the same designation due to a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs is also questionable to return after hurting his shoulder while catching Maye’s first touchdown of the day.
The Jets opened the game with a field goal and moved the ball into Patriots territory twice more, but saw both drives end with failed attempts to convert on fourth down. The first was a run out of the shotgun by Braelon Allen and the second was a Geno Smith sneak that came after another shotgun run was thwarted on third down.
That’s why the Jets trail by 14 despite having the ball nearly twice as long as the Patriots through one half of play.