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Jets return to familiar form in another loss to rival Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.— Aaron Glenn and the Jets came to Gillette Stadium looking for a signature victory.

Instead, it was the same old Jets in a 26-19 defeat, as they lost for the 15th time in their last 16 games in Foxborough.

After stealing a win over the hapless Browns a week ago, the Jets returned to form Sunday in their first game against a divisional opponent, done in by a lack of offense following their first drive of the game and some costly mistakes on defense.

The loss, their fourth in five games, dropped the Jets to 2-4, with New England improving to 4-2.

Unlike in most previous meetings, the Jets managed to hang around in this one, trailing 17-13 late in the third quarter, but the defense then allowed a long touchdown drive and Geno Smith followed with a disastrous interception — his first of the season — early in the fourth.

Still, the Jets responded by forcing a turnover and kicking a field goal to get back within a touchdown, but the defense faltered on a key 15-yard pass to Hunter Henry that gave the Patriots a first down.

A 27-yard yard field goal by Andy Borregelas after a 13-play drive sealed it with 1:12 to go in the fourth.

The Jets opted for a 36-yard field goal on second down to cut it to 26-19 with 32 seconds left, but the Patriots recovered the onside kick to dash any hopes the Jets had at an unlikely comeback.

New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) celebrates after sacking New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) celebrates after sacking New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.

The Jets started fast, opening the game with a 13-play drive that ended in a 42-yard field goal by Jason Sanders.

An 11-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Omar Cooper Jr. was nullified by a questionable offensive pass interference call on Tim Patrick.

The offense stalled after that drive, though, as a three-and-out that featured back-to-back sacks on Smith helped give the Patriots the ball on the Jets 42.

New England took advantage, scoring just two plays later on a 42-yard pass from Drake Maye to Romeo Doubs, wide open in the end zone.

Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) is tackled during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) is tackled during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.

A pair of failed fourth-down attempts stopped consecutive drives by the Jets, while the Patriots converted a fourth-and-1 at midfield to extend one of their drives to set up a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-3.

And New England scored again before halftime, this time with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Maye to DeMario Douglas, as Maye was afforded far too much time to find the open Douglas.

It gave New England a 17-3 lead at the half.

Braelon Allen had 65 yards on the ground by halftime, but the running back came up short on fourth-and-2 at the New England 30 to end one drive, while Smith was stuffed on fourth-and-1 from the New England 39 to finish the following drive without a score. 

The Jets got back in the game in the third quarter, after A.J. Brown couldn’t come up with a pass from Maye on a fourth-and-5 to open the half.

Smith responded with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr., who got wide open on a deep route. Smith’s ball was late, but Cooper was able to bring it in for the TD to make it 17-10.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) stands back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) stands back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.

On New England’s next drive, rookie David Bailey forced a fumble by TreVeyon Henderson and it was recovered by Jamien Sherwood.

A promising drive ended with Smith being sacked, but Sanders kicked his second field goal of the afternoon to make it 17-13.

New England proved to be too much, though, as the converted a third-and-10 on a nice play by Eli Rairdon. 

Bailey committed a silly offside penalty as the Patriots were running out the clock in the third quarter before Maye found a wide open Hunter Henry for his third passing touchdown of the day.

After Smith’s interception, the Jets got the ball back, as Sherwood forced a fumble on a long pass to Douglas, recovered by Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

The Jets turned it into a 40-yard field goal after three consecutive incompletions.  

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