The New England Patriots just wrapped up their final game of the 2025-2026 NFL regular season against the New York Jets. If you’re frantically refreshing your feed asking what's the score of Patriots game, the answer is final.
The Jets beat the Patriots 24-13 at MetLife Stadium.
It wasn't pretty. Honestly, it was a bit of a slog for New England fans who were hoping to see Drake Maye end his sophomore campaign on a high note. Instead, the offense sputtered in the red zone, and the defense—usually the backbone of this Jerod Mayo-led squad—finally bent under the pressure of a persistent Jets ground game.
Breaking down the Patriots game score and how it happened
Getting the final number is one thing. Understanding why it landed there is another. The game started out with a bit of promise. New England actually took an early 3-0 lead after a methodical opening drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock. Joey Slye nailed a 42-yarder. It felt like they had a rhythm.
Then the wheels kinda came off.
Aaron Rodgers, even in the twilight of his career, found a way to exploit the middle of the Patriots' secondary. A 15-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson late in the second quarter flipped the momentum. By halftime, New England was trailing 14-6. They never really recovered.
Drake Maye finished the day with 210 passing yards, one touchdown, and two costly interceptions. One of those picks happened right at the start of the fourth quarter when the Patriots were only down by eight. That’s the kind of play that kills a comeback. If you're looking for the bright side, DeMario Douglas continues to look like a legitimate WR1, hauling in eight catches for 95 yards. But individual stats don't change the scoreboard.
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The defensive struggle in the second half
People always look at the final score and assume the defense failed. That’s not quite right here. The Patriots' defense actually forced three punts in the third quarter. They were gapped, though. Without consistent help from the offense, they were on the field for nearly 38 minutes.
Eventually, the fatigue showed.
Breece Hall broke off a 22-yard run in the closing minutes to set up the final Jets touchdown. That’s what pushed it from a close "maybe they can steal this" game to a definitive 24-13 loss. It’s a tough way to head into the offseason, especially against a division rival.
Why checking what's the score of Patriots game feels different this year
In the past, checking the score meant seeing if the Patriots were still dominant. Now, it’s about tracking a rebuild.
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from the young roster, like that upset win over the Bills back in November, but we’ve also seen the growing pains. This final score against the Jets is a microcosm of the whole year: competitive, but ultimately lacking the depth to finish the job.
Looking at the AFC East standings
With this loss, the Patriots finish the season with a 6-11 record.
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- The Bills have locked up the division again.
- The Dolphins are headed to the Wild Card.
- The Jets, despite this win, are also sitting out the playoffs.
- New England is officially in "Draft Watch" mode.
The silver lining? This score secures a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. For a team that desperately needs offensive line help and perhaps another playmaker on the outside, that’s a massive consolation prize.
Historical context of the Patriots vs. Jets rivalry scores
Usually, these games are defensive battles. If you look back at the last decade, scores in the 13-24 range are incredibly common for this matchup. The weather at MetLife was chilly—about 34 degrees—which usually favors the run game and short passes.
New England’s inability to establish the run today (Rhamondre Stevenson was held to just 44 yards) was the deciding factor. When you can't run the ball in January in the Northeast, you’re going to have a bad time. The Jets' defense, led by Quinnen Williams, basically lived in the Patriots' backfield. Maye was sacked four times.
Beyond the scoreboard: What's next for New England?
The score is settled, but the roster isn't.
Now that the clock has hit 0:00, the focus shifts to the front office. Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo have some massive decisions to make. Free agency starts in March, and the Patriots are expected to have a significant amount of cap space.
They need to protect Drake Maye. That’s the bottom line. You can’t have your franchise quarterback running for his life in every divisional game. If the score of the next Patriots game—whenever that may be in the 2026 preseason—is going to look better, the investment has to start now.
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Actionable steps for Patriots fans
If you're feeling down about the 24-13 loss, here's how to pivot your focus for the coming months:
- Monitor the NFL Draft Order: Since the game is over, the Patriots' draft position is nearly finalized. Keep an eye on the scouts' reports for the top offensive tackles coming out of the college ranks.
- Review the Injury Report: Several key players, including Christian Gonzalez, left the game early with minor stingers. Checking the post-game medical updates will give you a better idea of who's healthy heading into the spring programs.
- Watch the Post-Game Pressers: Jerod Mayo is usually pretty candid. Hearing his take on why the red zone offense failed today provides more insight than just looking at the box score.
- Analyze the Cap Space: Check sites like OverTheCap or Spotrac. The Patriots are projected to be top-five in available spending money. That’s where the real "winning" happens in the offseason.
The season is over. The score is in the books. It wasn't the result New England wanted, but in the modern NFL, a loss in January is sometimes just the first step toward a better September.
Final Game Stats Summary:
- Final Score: Jets 24, Patriots 13
- Total Yards: Jets 342, Patriots 288
- Turnovers: Patriots 2, Jets 0
- Time of Possession: Jets 37:12, Patriots 22:48
Stop checking the live updates—the game is done. Start looking at the mock drafts. The road to 2026 begins tomorrow morning at 1 Patriot Place.
Next Steps:
Go to the official NFL website to view the full coach's film from the game to see the missed assignments on the final Jets touchdown. You can also head over to the Patriots' official team site to sign up for notifications regarding 2026 season ticket renewals and draft party events.