New England Patriots vs New York Jets Match Player Stats
The new england patriots vs new york jets match player stats from the October 18, 2026, Week 7 NFL matchup tell the story of a close divisional contest decided by passing efficiency, third-down pressure, and the ability to turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns. The New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 26-19, using three touchdown passes from Drake Maye and a defense that recorded three sacks to secure the victory at home. Although New York generated 252 passing yards and received a strong performance from Omar Cooper Jr., the Jets could not overcome New England’s more efficient scoring attack.
The seven-point margin made this game particularly interesting from a statistical perspective. New York quarterback Geno Smith produced more passing yards than Maye, while kicker Jason Sanders converted four field goals without a miss. However, Maye threw three touchdown passes without an interception, giving New England a decisive advantage in the red zone. The Patriots also recorded 148 rushing yards, compared with 97 for the Jets, providing another important difference in the final result.
This breakdown examines the quarterback numbers, rushing production, receiving performances, defensive contributions, special teams, and quarter-by-quarter scoring from the supplied ESPN box-score data. It also explains what those numbers reveal about the game beyond the final score.
Game details: October 18, 2026 | NFL Week 7 | Final score: Patriots 26, Jets 19 | Venue: New England’s home field, as indicated by the supplied game data.
New England Patriots vs New York Jets Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The Patriots entered the matchup with a reported 4-2 overall record and a 3-0 home record. The Jets were listed at 2-4 overall and 1-3 away. New England maintained its unbeaten home record in the supplied data by winning a game in which the two offenses followed different paths to scoring.
The Jets relied on a combination of passing production, explosive receiving plays, and field goals. The Patriots made their passing opportunities count for touchdowns while adding a more productive ground game.
| Game statistic | New York Jets | New England Patriots |
| Final score | 19 | 26 |
| First-quarter points | 3 | 7 |
| Second-quarter points | 0 | 10 |
| Third-quarter points | 10 | 0 |
| Fourth-quarter points | 6 | 9 |
| Passing yards | 252 | 235 |
| Rushing yards | 97 | 148 |
| Total passing and rushing yards | 349 | 383 |
| Passing touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks recorded by defense | 0 | 3 |
| Field goals made | 4 | 2 |
Note: Statistics in this article are based on the supplied game data. The defensive sack figures represent sacks recorded by each team’s defense, rather than sacks allowed by its offense.
Three findings stand out immediately.
- New England was more effective through the air. The Patriots recorded three passing touchdowns, while the Jets recorded one.
- The Patriots controlled the ground game. Their 148 rushing yards exceeded New York’s total by 51 yards.
- New York remained competitive through special teams. Sanders scored 13 points, including four successful field goals, keeping the Jets within one possession late in the game.
The result demonstrates why passing yards alone do not determine an NFL outcome. New York gained more yards per passing attempt according to the supplied averages, but New England converted its passing production into more touchdowns and avoided an interception.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown
The scoring pattern explains how the Patriots built their lead and why the Jets had to chase the game during the second half.
| Quarter | New York Jets | New England Patriots | Quarter winner |
| First | 3 | 7 | Patriots |
| Second | 0 | 10 | Patriots |
| Third | 10 | 0 | Jets |
| Fourth | 6 | 9 | Patriots |
| Total | 19 | 26 | Patriots |
First Quarter: New England Takes the Early Lead
The Patriots scored seven points in the opening quarter, while the Jets managed three. That four-point difference gave New England an early advantage and established the pattern of the home team scoring touchdowns while New York relied more heavily on field goals.
An early lead can influence play-calling throughout a divisional game. The leading team can continue balancing its offense between rushing and passing, while the trailing team may need to pursue more aggressive scoring opportunities.
The supplied quarter-by-quarter totals confirm New England’s early lead, although they do not provide the individual scoring plays needed to reconstruct every possession.
Second Quarter: Patriots Extend the Advantage
New England added 10 points in the second quarter, while New York failed to score. The Patriots therefore went into halftime with a 17-3 lead.
This was one of the most consequential stretches of the contest. The 14-point halftime margin meant the Jets needed two touchdowns, or a touchdown combined with multiple additional scoring possessions, to take control of the game.
The Patriots’ three-point and touchdown scoring mix in this period also highlights the value of completing drives. Field goals keep a team on the scoreboard, but touchdowns create a larger return from each successful possession.
Third Quarter: The Jets Fight Back
New York responded with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Patriots did not score, allowing the Jets to reduce the deficit from 14 points to four.
This was the strongest quarter for the visitors. The response suggests that New York found ways to generate scoring opportunities after a difficult first half. Geno Smith’s passing production and Omar Cooper Jr.’s receiving performance are important individual statistics to consider when assessing the Jets’ offensive contribution.
However, the available quarter totals do not establish which players scored during this period. Assigning a specific touchdown or field goal to an individual quarter would require the official play-by-play record.
Fourth Quarter: New England Closes Out the Game
The Patriots scored nine points in the final quarter, compared with six for the Jets. New York’s late scoring kept the margin within seven points, but New England produced enough points to preserve its lead.
The final quarter illustrates the importance of finishing a game after an opponent has regained momentum. A team does not necessarily need to dominate every quarter to win. It needs to respond effectively when the opponent makes a run.
New England’s nine-point finish proved sufficient to secure the 26-19 result.
Quarterback Comparison: Drake Maye vs Geno Smith
The quarterback comparison is one of the most revealing parts of this matchup. Geno Smith finished with more passing yards, but Drake Maye produced more passing touchdowns and protected the football more effectively.
| Passing statistic | Geno Smith, Jets | Drake Maye, Patriots |
| Completions | 20 | 18 |
| Pass attempts | 30 | 32 |
| Completion percentage | 66.7% | 56.3% |
| Passing yards | 252 | 235 |
| Yards per attempt | 8.4 | 7.3 |
| Passing touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 3 | 0 |
| Yards lost to sacks | 25 | 0 |
| Passer rating | 89.9 | 110.8 |
| QBR | 54.1 | 89.2 |
Drake Maye: Three Touchdown Passes Make the Difference
Maye completed 18 of 32 attempts for 235 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His completion rate was 56.3%, but that figure does not fully reflect his impact on the scoreboard.
His three touchdown passes accounted for 18 of New England’s 26 points. The Patriots also received two successful field goals, while one extra-point attempt failed according to the supplied data.
Maye’s 110.8 passer rating and 89.2 QBR further distinguish his performance from Smith’s. These measurements use different calculations, so they should not be treated as interchangeable. Both, however, support the conclusion that Maye had the more productive overall passing performance in this game.
Another important detail is that Maye was not sacked. Avoiding sacks helped New England preserve passing opportunities and prevented the offense from losing yardage on completed defensive pressure.
His contribution was not limited to passing. Maye also rushed four times for 24 yards, giving the Patriots another option when the pocket or running lanes opened.
Geno Smith: Efficient Yardage, Fewer Touchdowns
Smith completed 20 of 30 passes for 252 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His completion percentage of 66.7% was higher than Maye’s, and his 8.4 yards per attempt exceeded the Patriots quarterback’s 7.3.
Those numbers show that Smith could generate meaningful passing gains. The Jets’ problem was not an inability to move the ball through the air. It was the gap between that production and the final scoring return.
Smith’s one touchdown pass went to Omar Cooper Jr. on a 48-yard play. That connection supplied New York with a significant explosive gain and demonstrated the potential of its passing attack.
However, Smith was sacked three times for a combined loss of 25 yards and threw an interception. Both figures matter when evaluating his total performance. Passing yards can look impressive in isolation, but sacks can erase field position and turnovers can end possessions without points.
Why Maye Won the Quarterback Battle
The statistical difference becomes clearer when the two quarterbacks are compared by scoring output rather than yardage alone.
- Maye threw three touchdown passes to Smith’s one.
- Maye avoided interceptions, while Smith threw one.
- Maye was not sacked, while Smith lost 25 yards on three sacks.
- Smith gained 17 more passing yards, but New England scored seven more points.
This does not mean that every successful quarterback performance must produce a high touchdown total. Matchups, field position, defensive coverage, and play-calling all affect the final numbers. In this contest, though, Maye’s touchdown production and ball security were decisive advantages.
Rushing Stats: Patriots Establish the Ground Advantage
New England recorded 148 rushing yards on 36 attempts, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. New York gained 97 yards on 27 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
The Patriots therefore gained 51 more rushing yards and averaged half a yard more per attempt. That advantage helped balance their offense and reduced the need to depend entirely on passing plays.
| Rushing statistic | New York Jets | New England Patriots |
| Team rushing attempts | 27 | 36 |
| Team rushing yards | 97 | 148 |
| Average yards per carry | 3.6 | 4.1 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
| Quarterback rushing yards | -1 | 24 |
Braelon Allen Leads the Jets
Braelon Allen was New York’s leading rusher, finishing with 78 yards on 17 attempts. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and recorded a longest run of 16 yards.
His average was higher than the Jets’ team average, indicating that his individual production was a relative strength of the ground game.
Allen also contributed as a receiver, catching two passes for 26 yards. That dual role gave the Jets another way to involve him in the offense, although the supplied data does not show a rushing or receiving touchdown for him.
The remaining listed rushing contributions were:
| Jets rusher | Attempts | Yards | Average per carry |
| Braelon Allen | 17 | 78 | 4.6 |
| Isaiah Davis | 7 | 16 | 2.3 |
| Isaiah Williams | 1 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Geno Smith | 2 | -1 | -0.5 |
| Total | 27 | 97 | 3.6 |
The table shows that Allen supplied most of New York’s rushing yardage. The other listed runners combined for 19 yards on eight attempts, while Smith lost one yard on his two carries.
Corey Kiner Provides New England With a Strong Ground Option
Corey Kiner led the Patriots in rushing with 57 yards on 11 carries. His 5.2 yards per carry was the highest average among the primary listed New England rushers.
Kiner’s contribution was especially valuable because the Patriots spread their rushing work across several players. Rhamondre Stevenson recorded 36 yards on 14 attempts, while TreVeyon Henderson gained 31 yards on seven carries. Maye added 24 yards on four attempts.
| Patriots rusher | Attempts | Yards | Average per carry |
| Corey Kiner | 11 | 57 | 5.2 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 14 | 36 | 2.6 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 7 | 31 | 4.4 |
| Drake Maye | 4 | 24 | 6.0 |
| Total | 36 | 148 | 4.1 |
The listed averages are rounded, so individual averages may not add up exactly to the team average.
Kiner’s 57 yards did not lead all rushers by a large margin, but his efficiency stands out. New England also received useful production from Henderson and Maye, creating multiple rushing threats rather than relying on a single back.
What the Rushing Numbers Reveal
The Patriots’ advantage was built on both volume and efficiency. They ran the ball nine more times than the Jets and gained more yards on each attempt.
A more productive rushing game can help an offense in several ways:
- It creates manageable down-and-distance situations.
- It gives the quarterback an alternative to passing against tight coverage.
- It can help control the pace of a game when a team has a lead.
- It makes defensive preparation more difficult because opponents must account for both run and pass possibilities.
The Patriots did not score a rushing touchdown in the supplied statistics. Their ground-game success was therefore primarily about gaining yardage and supporting their passing offense, rather than finishing drives directly with runs into the end zone.
Receiving Stats: Omar Cooper Jr. and DeMario Douglas Lead Their Teams
The receiving comparison features two players who delivered more than 80 yards: Omar Cooper Jr. for New York and DeMario Douglas for New England.
Cooper produced the Jets’ most significant receiving performance, while Douglas led the Patriots in catches and receiving yards. Their numbers highlight two different offensive approaches: New York relied on an explosive scoring connection, while New England distributed its touchdown production among three receivers.
| Receiving statistic | Omar Cooper Jr., Jets | DeMario Douglas, Patriots |
| Receptions | 6 | 7 |
| Targets | 7 | 8 |
| Receiving yards | 103 | 86 |
| Yards per reception | 17.2 | 12.3 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Longest reception | 48 yards | 39 yards |
Omar Cooper Jr.: New York’s Leading Receiver
Cooper caught six of seven targets for 103 yards and one touchdown. His 17.2 yards per reception shows how effectively he gained ground when Smith connected with him.
The most important play in his statistical line was his 48-yard touchdown reception. That scoring connection helped New York reduce the deficit in the third quarter, when the Jets scored 10 unanswered points.
Cooper’s seven targets resulted in six catches, giving him a strong catch rate of approximately 85.7%. He accounted for more than 40% of New York’s 252 passing yards.
That level of production made him the Jets’ leading receiving threat in this game. It also demonstrates why explosive passing plays can keep a team competitive even when its offense struggles to finish other drives with touchdowns.
DeMario Douglas: A Reliable Target for Maye
Douglas caught seven passes on eight targets for 86 yards and one touchdown. He led the Patriots in both receptions and receiving yards.
His catch rate was 87.5%, slightly higher than Cooper’s, and he averaged approximately 12.3 yards per reception. His longest reception covered 39 yards.
Douglas’ touchdown reception helped New England extend its advantage before halftime. That score was important because the Patriots entered the break with a 17-3 lead.
While Cooper gained more yards per catch, Douglas supplied a steady stream of completions. His seven receptions gave Maye a dependable option and helped the Patriots maintain their passing rhythm.
Hunter Henry and Romeo Doubs Add Touchdown Production
New England’s receiving success did not depend on Douglas alone. Hunter Henry caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Romeo Doubs recorded one catch for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Doubs’ 42-yard reception was particularly efficient in terms of yardage per catch. His touchdown helped the Patriots score in the opening quarter and establish an early lead.
Henry’s contribution came in the form of a seven-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, according to the scoring record. The failed extra point meant the Patriots received six points rather than the usual seven for that touchdown sequence.
Together, Doubs, Douglas, and Henry accounted for all three of Maye’s passing touchdowns. Their varied contributions show how a quarterback can spread scoring opportunities across receivers with different roles.
Complete Receiving Leaders
The following tables list the receiving figures provided for each team.
| Jets receiver | Receptions | Receiving yards | Touchdowns |
| Omar Cooper Jr. | 6 | 103 | 1 |
| Garrett Wilson | 4 | 44 | 0 |
| Mason Taylor | 4 | 33 | 0 |
| Braelon Allen | 2 | 26 | 0 |
| Tim Patrick | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Kenyon Sadiq | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Isaiah Davis | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Jelani Woods | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Patriots receiver | Receptions | Receiving yards | Touchdowns |
| DeMario Douglas | 7 | 86 | 1 |
| Hunter Henry | 4 | 48 | 1 |
| Romeo Doubs | 1 | 42 | 1 |
| A.J. Brown | 3 | 27 | 0 |
| Kyle Williams | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Eli Raridon | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Efton Chism III | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The supplied receiving totals are 252 yards for the Jets and 235 yards for the Patriots. Individual figures should be interpreted alongside the team totals because targets, receptions, and yardage explain different aspects of a passing attack.
Garrett Wilson and A.J. Brown: Supporting Contributions
Garrett Wilson finished with four receptions for 44 yards and no receiving touchdown. His contribution was meaningful, but Cooper produced more than twice Wilson’s receiving yardage.
For New England, A.J. Brown recorded three catches for 27 yards without a touchdown in the supplied data. Compared with Douglas, Henry, and Doubs, Brown had a smaller statistical impact on the scoring outcome.
These numbers do not by themselves establish the quality of every route or the coverage each player faced. They do, however, show how the two offenses distributed their recorded receiving production.
Defensive Stats: New England Generates Pressure
The defensive statistics help explain how New England limited the Jets’ scoring opportunities despite allowing 252 passing yards.
The Patriots recorded three sacks, six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, four passes defended, and one interception. The Jets recorded no sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, and three passes defended.
| Defensive statistic | Jets defense | Patriots defense |
| Total tackles | 72 | 71 |
| Solo tackles | 38 | 37 |
| Sacks | 0 | 3 |
| Tackles for loss | 3 | 5 |
| Passes defended | 3 | 4 |
| Quarterback hits | 4 | 6 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
Jamien Sherwood Leads the Jets in Tackles
Jamien Sherwood led New York with 11 total tackles, including six solo tackles and one tackle for loss.
A tackle total can show how frequently a defender was involved in stopping plays, but it should not be treated as a direct measure of overall defensive quality. A high total may reflect strong activity, but it can also indicate that opponents repeatedly reached the second level or completed passes against the defense.
Sherwood’s numbers identify him as a major contributor in the Jets’ defensive effort. However, New York’s defense did not record a sack in the supplied statistics, limiting its ability to register direct losses of yardage through quarterback pressure.
Marcus Jones Leads the Patriots in Tackles
Marcus Jones led New England with eight total tackles, four of them solo. He also returned one punt for 10 yards.
The Patriots’ defensive contribution was spread across the unit. Their 71 total tackles were close to New York’s 72, but New England recorded three sacks and six quarterback hits.
That pressure is important when evaluating Smith’s performance. The Jets quarterback was sacked three times for a loss of 25 yards, while Maye was not sacked. The defensive numbers and quarterback statistics therefore point to a meaningful difference in the pressure each team generated.
Charles Woods Records an Interception
Charles Woods recorded the Patriots’ interception, with no return yards or interception touchdown listed.
An interception can be influential even when it does not lead directly to a defensive score. It ends the opponent’s possession and gives the intercepting team a chance to take over the ball.
Smith’s interception was the only interception listed for either team. New England’s ability to secure that turnover, combined with its sack production, helped it win the defensive comparison.
Tackles for Loss and Quarterback Hits
The Patriots recorded five tackles for loss, compared with three for the Jets. They also recorded six quarterback hits, two more than New York.
These figures suggest that New England was more disruptive at the line of scrimmage. Tackles for loss can push an offense into longer passing situations, while quarterback hits indicate that defenders reached the passer even on plays that did not end in sacks.
The distinction matters because a defense does not need to intercept multiple passes to influence a game. Pressure, disrupted timing, and negative-yardage plays can force an offense away from its preferred approach.
Turnovers and Ball Security: A Critical Difference
Turnovers are among the most important factors in a close NFL game because they can erase an otherwise productive offensive possession. The supplied statistics list one interception thrown by the Jets and two fumbles lost by the Patriots.
However, the fumble information deserves careful interpretation. The supplied data lists three Patriots team fumbles, two lost, and one recovered by New England. It also lists individual fumbles for DeMario Douglas, TreVeyon Henderson, and A.J. Brown. Those figures should be checked against the official gamebook before being republished as a definitive turnover breakdown.
The interception data is clearer: Geno Smith threw one interception, and Charles Woods was credited with the Patriots’ interception. Maye threw none.
Why Ball Security Matters
Ball security affects more than the number of turnovers in a box score. A turnover can:
- End a drive that might otherwise produce points.
- Give the opposing offense a shorter field.
- Change the play-calling strategy for the remainder of a game.
- Force a trailing team to take greater risks late in the fourth quarter.
New England’s victory despite the supplied fumble figures demonstrates why the entire game must be considered rather than one category in isolation. The Patriots scored three passing touchdowns, gained 148 rushing yards, and recorded three defensive sacks.
The Jets, meanwhile, combined an interception-free rushing attack with a passing game that produced one touchdown and one interception. Their 19 points were not enough to overcome New England’s 26.
Did Turnovers Decide the Game?
The available numbers suggest that ball security contributed to the result, but they do not establish that it was the sole deciding factor.
The more direct statistical difference was touchdown production. New England scored three passing touchdowns, while New York scored one passing touchdown and four field goals. The Patriots also gained 51 more rushing yards.
Those advantages provide a strong explanation for the outcome without claiming that any single turnover automatically determined the winner.
Special Teams Stats: Jason Sanders Keeps the Jets Close
Special teams played a major role in keeping the contest competitive. Jason Sanders converted all four of his field-goal attempts, while New England kicker Andy Borregales made both of his field goals.
| Kicking statistic | Jason Sanders, Jets | Andy Borregales, Patriots |
| Field goals made | 4 | 2 |
| Field goals attempted | 4 | 2 |
| Field-goal percentage | 100% | 100% |
| Longest field goal | 42 yards | 32 yards |
| Extra points made | 1 | 2 |
| Extra points attempted | 1 | 3 |
| Total points listed | 13 | 8 |
Sanders scored 13 points, making him one of New York’s most productive players on the scoreboard. His four successful field goals helped the Jets remain within reach after their difficult second quarter.
Borregales contributed eight points according to the supplied data. He converted two field goals and two extra points, although one extra-point attempt failed.
The Value of Four Successful Field Goals
Four successful field goals are a sign of reliable kicking, but they can also reveal a challenge for the offense. Field goals provide three points, whereas a touchdown is worth six before the extra-point attempt.
New York’s four field goals produced 12 points, with its touchdown and extra point adding another seven. The Jets therefore scored 19 points in total.
The Patriots recorded three passing touchdowns and two field goals. Their touchdown production gave them a more efficient route to 26 points, even though Sanders outscored Borregales individually.
The key lesson is that kicking accuracy and offensive scoring efficiency are different measures. Sanders performed perfectly on his field-goal attempts, but New England generated more touchdowns.
Kick Returns and Punt Returns
Kick returns provided another source of field-position value.
| Return statistic | Jets | Patriots |
| Kick returns | 6 | 5 |
| Kick-return yards | 128 | 129 |
| Average per return | 21.3 | 25.8 |
| Longest kick return | 26 yards | 37 yards |
Kene Nwangwu handled the Jets’ kick returns, recording six returns for 128 yards. His average was 21.3 yards, with a longest return of 26 yards.
For New England, Corey Kiner recorded three kick returns for 88 yards, averaging 29.3 yards per return with a longest return of 37 yards. Kyle Williams added two returns for 41 yards.
The Patriots therefore gained almost the same total number of kick-return yards as the Jets, despite making one fewer return. Their higher average and longer return suggest that they generated better field position per opportunity in this category.
Marcus Jones also returned one punt for 10 yards for New England. No Jets punt returns were recorded in the supplied data.
Punting Performance
Both punters recorded two punts.
| Punting statistic | Austin McNamara, Jets | Mitch Wishnowsky, Patriots |
| Punts | 2 | 2 |
| Total punting yards | 94 | 100 |
| Average punt | 47.0 yards | 50.0 yards |
| Longest punt | 53 yards | 54 yards |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| Punts inside the 20 | 0 | 1 |
Wishnowsky averaged 50 yards per punt, three yards more than McNamara. He also placed one punt inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, compared with none for McNamara.
The sample is small, so these figures should not be used to make broad judgments about either punter’s season. They do show that New England’s listed punting performance was slightly stronger in this particular matchup.
Team Statistics: Where the Patriots Gained Their Advantage
Individual performances explain important moments, but team statistics reveal the broader pattern.
The Patriots recorded 383 total net yards in the supplied team summary, compared with 324 for the Jets. New England also recorded 22 first downs, one more than New York’s 21.
| Team statistic | Jets | Patriots |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total net yards | 324 | 383 |
| Net rushing yards | 97 | 148 |
| Net passing yards | 227 | 235 |
| Total offensive plays | 60 | 68 |
| Yards per play | 5.4 | 5.6 |
| Third-down conversions | 3 of 10 | 8 of 15 |
| Third-down conversion rate | 30% | 53.3% |
| Fourth-down conversions | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Punts | 2 | 2 |
| Field goals made | 4 | 2 |
These team figures show that New England did not simply win because of its passing touchdowns. The Patriots also ran more plays, gained more total yards, and converted third downs more successfully.
Third-Down Efficiency Gives New England More Opportunities
New England converted eight of 15 third-down attempts, a rate of approximately 53.3%. The Jets converted three of 10, or 30%.
The difference is significant because a successful third-down conversion extends a drive. It gives an offense another opportunity to reach scoring range, consume clock, or maintain possession.
New England’s advantage amounted to five additional successful third-down conversions. Although the teams’ possession times were nearly identical in the supplied team summary, the Patriots ran eight more offensive plays.
This suggests that the Patriots were more effective at sustaining drives even without a major advantage in possession time.
Total Yardage and the Importance of Rushing
New England finished with 383 total net yards, 59 more than New York’s 324. The biggest difference came on the ground, where the Patriots gained 148 yards against 97.
Passing production was much closer. The Patriots recorded 235 net passing yards, while the Jets recorded 227 in the team summary.
The difference between the Jets’ gross passing figure of 252 yards and their net passing figure of 227 reflects the 25 yards lost to sacks. This distinction matters because the 252-yard figure describes Smith’s passing production, while the net figure reflects the impact of sacks on team passing yardage.
New England’s offense combined a small passing-yardage advantage with a much larger rushing advantage. That combination helped create a more balanced statistical performance.
Penalties and Possession
The supplied team statistics list five penalties for each team. New York was charged with 35 penalty yards, while New England was charged with 57.
The Patriots’ greater penalty yardage is a reminder that they did not win every statistical category. They were charged with more penalty yards despite finishing with the higher score.
Time of possession was almost even: New York held the ball for 30 minutes and three seconds, while New England held it for 29 minutes and 57 seconds.
This is an important distinction. The Patriots did not need a substantial possession advantage to win. Their ability to convert third downs, produce touchdowns, and gain more rushing yards helped compensate for the nearly identical possession time.
The Three Biggest Statistical Takeaways
1. Touchdown Efficiency Was More Important Than Raw Passing Yardage
Smith’s 252 passing yards exceeded Maye’s 235, but Maye threw three touchdowns compared with Smith’s one.
The result shows why passing yards need context. A quarterback can move the ball effectively between the 20-yard lines without generating the same number of scoring plays as an opponent.
New England’s three touchdown passes accounted for a major share of the scoring difference. Maye’s zero interceptions also helped him finish the game without giving the Jets an interception-based possession.
2. New England’s Rushing Game Added a Second Offensive Advantage
The Patriots’ 148 rushing yards were 51 more than the Jets’ 97. Kiner, Stevenson, Henderson, and Maye all contributed to that total.
A balanced offense can be harder to defend because the opposing team must prepare for multiple ways of gaining yards. New England’s rushing production also helped it reach 383 total net yards and execute more offensive plays.
3. The Patriots Generated More Defensive Pressure
New England recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. The Jets recorded no sacks, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits.
Those differences indicate that the Patriots made more plays behind or near the line of scrimmage. Smith’s 25 sack yards lost further reduced New York’s net passing production.
The Jets still produced 252 passing yards, but New England combined its defensive pressure with more efficient offensive scoring to secure the victory.
How to Interpret the Box Score Correctly
A box score is most useful when individual statistics are read alongside team totals and the scoring summary. Several distinctions are particularly important for readers analyzing this game.
Passing yards and net passing yards are not the same. Smith passed for 252 yards, but New York lost 25 yards on three sacks. The team summary therefore lists 227 net passing yards. This difference helps explain why quarterback passing totals and overall offensive yardage can appear inconsistent at first glance.
A reception is not the same as a target. Douglas caught seven passes on eight targets, while Cooper caught six on seven. Targets indicate how frequently a player was selected as the intended receiver; receptions show how many of those attempts resulted in catches.
Total tackles do not measure defensive success by themselves. Sherwood’s 11 tackles led the game, but New England recorded more sacks and tackles for loss. Evaluating defensive performance requires multiple categories rather than a single leaderboard.
Kicking points and offensive touchdowns should be separated. Sanders scored 13 points for the Jets, while Borregales scored eight for New England. Those individual totals are useful, but they do not replace the wider comparison of offensive production.
Readers looking to verify individual figures can consult the official New England Patriots game box score, which provides the team’s published statistical record for the matchup.
A Note About Statistical Accuracy
The supplied dataset contains some fields that should be cross-checked before publication, particularly individual fumble totals and a few player-level details. It is best to retain the distinction between figures supplied for this article and details confirmed in the official box score or gamebook.
For an accurate statistical recap, the most reliable approach is to verify the final score, player passing totals, rushing totals, receiving production, turnovers, and scoring sequence against the official record. If a detailed statistic cannot be confirmed, it should be omitted or clearly identified as unverified rather than presented as fact.
This approach makes the article more useful to readers who want dependable game information instead of a collection of numbers without context.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the final score of the New England Patriots vs New York Jets game on October 18, 2026?
The New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 26-19 in their Week 7 matchup, according to the supplied game data. New England led 17-3 at halftime before the Jets mounted a second-half comeback attempt.
2. How many passing yards did Drake Maye record against the Jets?
Drake Maye completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His three touchdown passes were a major factor in New England’s seven-point victory.
3. How many passing yards did Geno Smith record against the Patriots?
Geno Smith completed 20 of 30 passes for 252 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He averaged 8.4 yards per attempt but was sacked three times for a loss of 25 yards.
4. Who was the leading receiver in the Patriots vs Jets game?
Omar Cooper Jr. led all listed receivers with 103 yards on six catches for the Jets. DeMario Douglas led New England with seven receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.
5. Which team had more rushing yards?
The Patriots gained 148 rushing yards on 36 attempts, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Jets recorded 97 yards on 27 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
6. Which defensive player recorded an interception?
Charles Woods recorded the Patriots’ interception, according to the supplied statistics. Geno Smith was credited with the interception thrown, while Drake Maye finished without one.
Conclusion
The new england patriots vs new york jets match player stats reveal why New England won despite allowing Geno Smith to throw for more passing yards than Drake Maye. Maye’s three touchdown passes, zero interceptions, and ability to avoid sacks gave the Patriots a more productive passing performance. Their 148 rushing yards also created a clear advantage over New York’s 97.
The Jets remained competitive through Cooper’s 103 receiving yards, Allen’s 78 rushing yards, and Sanders’ four successful field goals. New York’s third-quarter response narrowed the gap, but the Patriots scored nine points in the fourth quarter to preserve their lead.
Defensively, New England recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss, and one interception. Its third-down conversion rate of approximately 53.3% also exceeded the Jets’ 30%, allowing the Patriots to sustain more drives.
The broader lesson from this matchup is that a successful NFL performance depends on converting production into points. New York generated more passing yards and had a perfect field-goal performance, but New England combined touchdown efficiency, a stronger rushing game, and defensive pressure to earn the 26-19 victory.
