FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots proved to be tough enough to beat Aaron Rodgers and the stumbling New York Jets. Rhamondre Stevenson plunged into the end zone with 22 seconds left and the New England Patriots recovered after first-round draft pick Drake Maye left with a concussion early to beat Aaron Rodgers and the much-hyped New York Jets 25-22 on Sunday.
Starter-turned-backup Jacoby Brissett replaced the quarterback who replaced him and led the Patriots (2-6) on two fourth-quarter scoring drives to snap a six-game losing streak and send the Jets (2-6) to their fifth loss in a row. Stevenson scored two touchdowns and also caught the 2-point conversion pass that made gave New England a three-point lead. Rodgers took over at his own 30 with no timeouts and missed one deep pass before connecting with Davante Adams for 16 yards, but far from the sideline.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Patriots defense leapt for joy on the field. It was their first win at home in more than a year – since the seventh week of last season — a slump that led their own coach to call them “soft.” Instead of being alone in the AFC East cellar, they are now tied for last with New York, which fell to 0-3 since firing coach Robert Saleh and replacing him with Jeff Ulbrich.
Brissett, who started the Patriots’ first five games, completed 15 of 24 passes for 132 yards; Maye was 3 of 6 for 23 yards and also ran for 46 yards on three carries – including an 18-ya.