The New England Patriots dominated the Jets in week 17, and the New York Jets’ 2025 season continued its downward spiral Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. The loss dropped the Jets to 3–13 and highlighted persistent issues on both sides of the ball, while the Patriots cruised one step closer to an AFC East title.
The New York Jets closed out their December 28 matchup against the New England Patriots with another frustrating loss, one that felt all too familiar for a fan base that has endured years of disappointment in this rivalry. In a game defined by missed opportunities, offensive inconsistency, and an inability to control momentum, the Jets once again found themselves chasing New England rather than dictating terms.
From the opening drive, the tone was set by a Patriots team that looked more prepared and more disciplined. New England played a controlled, mistake-free brand of football, leaning on field position, timely defensive stops, and efficient execution. The Jets, by contrast, struggled to establish any rhythm offensively and spent much of the game trying to recover from early setbacks.
From the opening kickoff, it was all New England. The Patriots scored on each of their first six possessions, building a 35–3 lead by halftime and essentially putting the game out of reach early. Led by quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots offense was surgical and efficient, finishing with a career-high five touchdown passes from Maye — thrown to multiple receivers — before he was pulled early in the third quarter. Reuters
The Jets’ lone early offensive highlight came on a 39-yard field goal by Nick Folk, and late in the fourth quarter, Jets running back Breece Hall broke off a 59-yard touchdown run, giving him over 1,000 yards rushing for the season — a bright spot in an otherwise difficult day.
Defensively, the Jets showed flashes of resistance, particularly early, but those efforts were undermined by short fields and an offense that could not sustain drives. New England consistently won the hidden battle — third downs, time of possession, and situational football — gradually wearing the Jets down. While the score never felt completely out of reach, it also never felt as though New York truly had control.
Offensively, the Jets’ issues were once again front and center. Protection broke down at key moments, forcing rushed throws and limiting the playbook. Drives stalled before they could flip field position, and when opportunities did present themselves, execution faltered. Whether it was a missed assignment, a poorly timed penalty, or a failed conversion, the Jets repeatedly came up empty in moments that demanded precision.
One of the few bright spots came from the running game, which showed occasional life when given space. However, New England adjusted quickly, stacking the box and daring the Jets to beat them through the air — a challenge New York could not consistently meet. The lack of explosive plays continues to haunt this offense, and against a disciplined Patriots defense, that deficiency was magnified.
Special teams also played a subtle but meaningful role in the outcome. New England consistently won the field-position battle, pinning the Jets deep and forcing long drives. In contrast, the Jets failed to capitalize on their own returns, leaving points on the field and compounding offensive struggles.
Post-Game Analysis: The Gap Remains
This loss was not about one bad play or one bad quarter — it was about structure. The Patriots once again demonstrated why they have dominated this rivalry for so long: they executed the fundamentals better. They avoided costly mistakes, converted when it mattered, and forced the Jets to play from behind mentally as well as on the scoreboard.
For the Jets, the most troubling aspect is that the same themes continue to appear week after week. The offense remains unable to generate consistent pressure on opposing defenses. The margin for error is razor thin, and when something goes wrong, there is no explosive capability to quickly recover. That puts enormous pressure on the defense to be nearly perfect — an unrealistic expectation in today’s NFL.
Coaching decisions will also face scrutiny. Conservative play-calling in key situations limited the Jets’ chances to flip momentum, while New England appeared more confident in trusting its system. That contrast has become a recurring storyline in this matchup.
As the season winds down, this game serves as another data point in what will be a critical offseason for the franchise. Personnel evaluations, quarterback development, and offensive identity must all be addressed if the Jets hope to close the gap — not just with the Patriots, but with the AFC at large.
For New England, the win reinforced their ability to win games even without overwhelming talent advantages, relying instead on preparation and execution. For the Jets, December 28 was another reminder that progress will require more than effort — it will require structural change.