Drake Maye delivers a perfect game and puts the Patriots on top

The Patriots’ win over the Jets was no ordinary victory. Drake Maye threw five touchdown passes and completed 90% of his attempts, an unprecedented mark in NFL history. The second-year quarterback ensured New England swept its divisional rival with a dominant 42-10.

Drake Maye opened the game with three touchdowns in just twenty minutes, connecting with Austin Hooper and Rhamondre Stevenson on plays that left the Jets’ defense helpless. His pace was so relentless that the result felt decided before halftime.

The impact of a young leader

Drake Maye kept pushing. In the second quarter he found Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry to extend the lead and add his fourth and fifth scores. The last one carried extra meaning: undrafted rookie Efton Chism III caught it in his NFL debut.

Maye’s final stat line was flawless: 19 completions on 21 attempts, 256 yards, five touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. According to NFL and ESPN data, he is the first player ever to combine 90% accuracy with at least 250 yards and five touchdowns in a single game.

Drake Maye is the first player in NFL history to complete 90% of his passes while throwing for 250 yards and 5 TDs in a single game 🤯@Patriots | #NEPats pic.twitter.com/HuBrr4qFZp

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) December 28, 2025

A divisional statement

Drake Maye’s performance wasn’t just about numbers. It secured the AFC East crown for the Patriots. After years of Buffalo dominance, New England broke the streak and celebrated its first divisional title since 2019.

As Firstsportz noted, the win coincided with Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia, sealing the Patriots’ coronation. It also placed them as the conference’s second seed, just behind Denver.

BREAKING

The New England Patriots are the AFC East Champions. pic.twitter.com/Engb1pIY4B

— Savage (@SavageSports_) December 29, 2025

The MVP path

Drake Maye closed Week 17 with more than 4,200 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes, and four rushing scores. Those numbers put him firmly among the top MVP candidates, a milestone that seemed distant early in his career.

Current AP NFL MVP odds from @betmgm:
Matthew Stafford -250
Drake Maye +200
Josh Allen -3000

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 28, 2025

The Patriots will finish the regular season hosting Miami, a team Maye already beat with two touchdowns in their first meeting. With confidence high and a 13-3 record, New England dreams of being a contender again in January, guided by a quarterback who has already left his mark on history.