New England Secures NFL's Top Record as Rookie Henderson Ignites Offense Against Jets

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots, propelled by a three-touchdown performance from rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, defeated the New York Jets 27-14 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games and improving their record to an NFL-best 9-2. Henderson’s impactful display, filling in for the injured Rhamondre Stevenson, has initiated discussions regarding his potential role even upon Stevenson’s return.

Henderson, the 38th overall pick in the recent draft out of Ohio State, has capitalized on the opportunity presented by Stevenson’s absence due to a toe injury, which has sidelined the veteran for the past three contests. On Thursday, Henderson found the end zone twice on the ground and once through the air, contributing significantly to New England’s offensive output. His performance marks a continuation of his rising prominence within the Patriots’ scheme.

The rookie’s contributions have etched his name into the franchise’s record books. Henderson became only the second rookie in Patriots history to record multiple rushing touchdowns in consecutive games, a feat previously achieved by Curtis Martin, who managed both a three-game and a two-game streak in 1995. Furthermore, Henderson is the first rookie in franchise history to accumulate five touchdowns within a two-game span. His three-touchdown effort against the Jets also places him in an exclusive group as only the third Patriots rookie to achieve such a feat in a single game (including playoffs), joining tight end Rob Gronkowski (2010) and running back Sony Michel (2018).

Henderson’s increased workload has mirrored his production. Over the past three weeks, his playing time has more than doubled, consistently logging 51 snaps in each contest, including the majority of offensive snaps in the recent victory over the Jets. This consistent presence has allowed him to showcase his versatility and playmaking ability, becoming a focal point of the Patriots’ ground and short passing game.

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The Patriots’ offensive rhythm was also dictated by quarterback Drake Maye, who demonstrated composure and efficiency throughout the game. Maye began the contest by completing his first 11 pass attempts, establishing a new career-long streak to start a game. His command of the offense was particularly evident against the Jets’ blitz, where he completed all five of his attempts in the first half for 41 yards and three first downs. Maye entered the game with a 69.1% completion rate against the blitz, ranking third in the NFL, a statistic that underscores his effectiveness under pressure. He concluded the night completing 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown, enduring only a single sack.

Despite the comprehensive victory, the Patriots’ defense exhibited a recurring vulnerability. For the sixth time this season, tying for the most in the NFL, New England conceded a touchdown on the opposing team’s opening drive. Head coach Mike Vrabel has reportedly implemented a practice strategy where assistant coach Ben McAdoo crafts an offensive script simulating an opposing coordinator’s opening drive, aiming to better prepare the defense. However, the consistent production of desired results in this area remains an ongoing challenge. The Patriots’ current eight-game winning streak marks their longest since the 2019 season, when they commenced the year with an 8-0 record. New England is scheduled to face the Cincinnati Bengals on November 23 at 1 p.m. ET.

Conversely, the New York Jets continued their struggles, falling to a 2-8 record. The team’s ongoing quarterback dilemma remains a central issue, with head coach Aaron Glenn maintaining his practice of delaying the announcement of a starter until game day. This strategy, however, has not obscured the noncompetitive nature of the Jets’ passing attack throughout the season. The absence of wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week due to a knee injury, further compounded the team’s aerial deficiencies.

Quarterback Justin Fields, who started against the Patriots, finished with 116 passing yards on 15-for-25 efficiency. His yardage total was bolstered by late completions during what was largely considered garbage time, preventing his fifth game with fewer than 100 passing yards. The Jets’ offense managed only three pass completions longer than nine air yards, a statistic that highlights the anemic state of their vertical passing game. Fields connected with John Metchie III for a 22-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, but this solitary score did little to alter the overall offensive narrative. The persistent lack of offensive production has intensified scrutiny on the quarterback position, prompting speculation that Coach Glenn may consider a change, potentially benching Fields.

The Jets’ promising start, a run-heavy opening drive that culminated in a 72-yard touchdown, proved to be an anomaly. Once the Patriots’ defense adjusted, New York’s offense entered a prolonged period of stagnation, unable to generate consistent yardage or scoring opportunities.

On the defensive side for the Jets, it was a challenging night, particularly for the patchwork secondary. The team’s strategy of blitzing less than usual placed increased pressure on a unit already depleted by injuries. The absence of key cornerback Sauce Gardner was keenly felt, as rookie Azareye’h Thomas, his replacement, was sidelined with a concussion, forcing third-stringer Qwan’tez Stiggers into the lineup. Both Brandon Stephens, who incurred a costly penalty and allowed a touchdown, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who was flagged twice, endured difficult performances. Maye capitalized on these vulnerabilities, throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown against the Jets’ secondary.

Rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in the Sauce Gardner trade, had a challenging debut. Mitchell recorded two dropped passes, including a well-thrown deep ball where he had gained separation from Christian Gonzalez but failed to secure the catch. Despite the difficult outing, Mitchell is expected to see significant playing time for the remainder of the season as the Jets assess their roster for future campaigns.

A surprising element of the Jets’ defensive performance was the limited impact of Will McDonald IV. Coming off a four-sack game, McDonald was held to no sacks and only one quarterback pressure, reportedly dealing with a quad injury from the previous week. Historically, the Jets’ defense continued a concerning trend, failing to intercept a pass for the tenth consecutive game. This streak ties an NFL record, previously set by the 2017 Raiders, for the longest stretch without an interception to start a season. The New York Jets will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens on November 23 at 1 p.m. ET.