FOXBORO — The 11-2 Patriots will go into their long-awaited bye week on a high note.
The Patriots beat the Giants 33-15 in a Monday night shellacking to extend their winning streak to 10 games before a well-deserved week off.
After playing 13 straight games without a break, the injury-depleted Patriots will finally get to rest and enjoy their Week 14 bye.
Monday night’s win saw fireworks on special teams, an MVP-worthy performance from Drake Maye and a defense looking to lay the lumber.
A 39-yard kick return from Terrell Jennings put the Patriots in good position at their own 47-yard on the game’s opening drive. The Patriots made it down inside their red zone but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Andy Borregales from the Giants’ 4-yard line to take an early 3-0 lead. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson ran hard on the drive, picking up 19 yards on three carries.
The Patriots’ defense made an opening-drive stop, limiting the Giants to just one first down. That’s been a rare occurrence for the unit. It helped set up a 94-yard punt return touchdown for Marcus Jones, which sent Gillette Stadium into a rumbling celebration. It was Jones’ second punt return touchdown of the season.
The Giants were forced to punt again, this time failing to pick up a first down. Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart was sent flying when he took a huge hit from Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss down the sideline. A retaliation from Giants tight end Theo Johnson pushed the Giants back. Dart stayed in the game.
The Patriots responded with a quick five-play, 61-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Drake Maye hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte in the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown pass one play after connecting with tight end Hunter Henry for a 36-yard gain.
Some poor tackling led to a Giants score, when Dart hit wide receiver Darius Slayton for a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown. A personal foul penalty on Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on Johnson, gave the Giants 15 free yards.
The Giants failed to score on their ensuing series with one of the strangest plays you’ll ever see on a football field. Kicker Younghoe Koo missed the ball, kicking the turf instead, on a 47-yard field goal attempt. That left holder Jamie Gillan scrambling. He was brought down by defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. for a 13-yard sack.
M-V-P chants rained down from Gillette Stadium after Maye hit Kyle Williams for a 33-yard touchdown to go ahead 24-7.
The hits kept coming. Gunner Olszewski, a former Patriot, fumbled on the ensuing kick return while taking a hit from Elliss and Marte Mapu. It was recovered by Elijah Ponder at the Giants’ 27-yard line. The Patriots couldn’t get in the end zone but settled for a 30-yard field goal to go up 27-7.
The Giants then gifted the Patriots three points by electing to take a delay of game, rather than going for it on fourth-and-1 from the Giants’ 40-yard line. Maye quickly orchestrated a four-play, 67-yard drive, and Borregales knocked through a 28-yard field goal. The Patriots went into the half with a 30-7 lead.
The Giants did elect to go for it on fourth-and-6, coming out of the half, but the Patriots forced a turnover on downs. The offense couldn’t capitalize, however, getting to the Giants’ 27-yard line before Borregales missed a 45-yard field goal wide left.
The Giants cut the Patriots’ lead to two scores with a 22-yard touchdown run on a direct snap to running back Devin Singletary. They converted on a two-point attempt to make the score 30-15 when Dart found Slayton in the end zone on a scramble play. Cornerback Carlton Davis was in coverage on the two-point conversion.
The Patriots put up three more points just ahead of the two-minute warning on a 23-yard field goal from Borregales.
BEST
CB Marcus Jones: The slot cornerback/punt returner scored a touchdown in his second straight game. This one was a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown. He had a pick-six on defense last week.
QB Drake Maye: Maye was majestic deep on Monday night, hitting Williams and tight end Hunter Henry on 30-plus yard throws. Overall, he was 24-of-31 for 282 yards with two touchdowns and four rushing attempts for 15 yards.
LB Christian Elliss: Elliss helped force Olszewski’s fumble. He also delivered the hard hit on Dart down the sideline.
Patriots replacements: Let’s give it up for left tackle Vederian Lowe, left guard Ben Brown and defensive tackles Cory Durden and Eric Gregory, all thrust into bigger roles due to injuries. Were the performances perfect? No, but it was good enough to win.
WORST
S Jaylinn Hawkins: A personal foul penalty on Hawkins helped set up the Giants’ first-half touchdown. He later had a key pass breakup, however.
Red-zone offense: The Patriots were 1-of-5 in the red zone. They also got down to the Giants’ 27-yard line before a missed field goal from Borregales.
TreVeyon Henderson’s blitz pickup: Overall, Henderson had a fine game. But he got beat by a sack late by Giants linebacker Zaire Barnes. Otherwise, Henderson ran 11 times for 67 yards and caught three passes on four targets for 19 yards with a drop.
WHAT WE LEARNED
• Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown started at left tackle and left guard, respectively, as expected, to fill in for Will Campbell and Jared Wilson.
• Jones’ return qualified him for the all-time list for punt return average. He’s first with a 14.6 average. He’s the fourth player in Patriots history to return two punts for touchdowns in the same season.
• Running back Terrell Jennings left the game with a head injury and didn’t return.
• Stevenson saw his playing time increase this week. It still appeared he was working his way back from a toe injury in Week 12.
• Rookie edge defender Elijah Ponder posted his third sack in four games. He’s filled in nicely since the Patriots traded Keion White.