The Patriots extended their winning streak to eight games in a 27-14 victory over the Jets on Thursday night, a workmanlike performance for New England on a short week.

After facing three top-15 defenses in DVOA in his previous three games, QB Drake Maye got a slight reprieve this week against a Jets defense that entered the week 28th in DVOA. New York was struggling defensively already before the trade deadline and then dealt top CB Sauce Gardner and star DT Quinnen Williams at the deadline. Although the level of competition must be noted, Maye was still superb, even while seeing a new blueprint that went against the Jets typical coverage tendencies.

Based on my film charting, Maye had his best day since an outstanding performance vs. the Saints in Week 6, which makes sense since he faced the Browns, Falcons, and Bucs defenses over that span. With 11 plus plays to only 4.5 minuses, Maye's +6.5 net trails only his near-perfect outings against the Saints (+9) and Dolphins (+9) earlier this season. If my eye test doesn't do it for you, Maye's +0.30 expected points added per drop-back was his highest mark since the game in Tennessee, and his fifth-highest of the season – this was one of his best games of the year.

Maye's poise to extend plays with controlled pocket movement stood out on film, a clear area of improvement from his rookie season to his year-two leap. Instead of creating his own pressure by drifting in the pocket, Maye is now relocating to stay alive in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield and keeping two hands on the football for added ball security. Effective pocket maneuvering allows Maye to remain a thrower for longer, which adds all sorts of yards to the Patriots offense on a weekly basis.

Moving forward, New England will need Maye to continue being patient in the pocket, as a blueprint is starting to emerge vs. the MVP frontrunner. On Thursday night, the Jets broke a tendency by playing 78.8% of Maye's drop-backs in zone coverage. New York posted a season-low 21.6% man coverage rate vs. the Patritos while only blitzing Maye on 29.7% of his drop-backs, also below their season average of 34.2%. Before you say that's due to the Sauce trade, it's not; the Jets played a season-high 20-man coverage snaps vs. the Browns last week and 17-man coverage reps vs. the Bengals in Week 8, both in games without Gardner.

Due to his big-play ability and efficiency against the blitz, the strategy against Maye is to force him to take profits from the pocket against soft zone coverages. For example, Maye has seen nine drop-backs where the defense drops eight defenders in coverage with only a three-man rush over the last two weeks. The Bucs did this with a QB spy, while the Jets drop-8 rep was just standard cover-two with a three-man rush. Although he throws a catchable ball to the seam-splitter in the clip above, it's clear that defenses are backing off out of fear of Maye's deep ball.

In theory, that makes sense from a defensive perspective, but Maye still picked apart the Jets zones this week (20-of-26, 228 yards, TD, 115.5 passer rating vs. zone). That said, Maye was 0-for-4 on his four deep pass attempts. So, the question now is, if this strategy continues, how will Maye and McDaniels continue to unlock Maye's deep passing against zone defenses that are game-planning to take away the deep ball? Ah, let the chess match begin.

Here's a breakdown of the Patriots defense and quick-hit film notes from a primetime victory over the Jets, After Further Review.

Defense Review: Areas to Improve for the Pats Pass Defense with Bengals On Deck

Although we're evaluating the tape on a Thursday night curve, the Patriots defense was fortunate that the Jets offense repeatedly got in their own way.

While killing some time before heading to the game, I began watching some film on the Bengals. If the Patriots play pass defense like they did on Thursday night, that Cincy offense will have a huge day, even in the likely event that Joe Flacco is at quarterback.

In fairness, it's a short week against a Jets passing game that is hard to get up for with limited prep time. My guess is that the Patriots defense will be much more prepared, rested, and amped to play a Bengals offense that is averaging over 300 yards passing and just under 33 points in Flacco's four starts. We'll see how Cincy looks in Pittsburgh, but they'll definitely be a significant step up in competition from the Jets with QB Justin Fields, who were playing without star WR Garrett Wilson.

Overall, the numbers look solid against Fields: 15-of-26, 116 passing yards, TD, -0.10 EPA per play (27th percentile). But this is an instance where the numbers don't tell the whole story. Jets WR Adonai Mitchell dropped three catchable passes that would've been big plays, and Fields missed his fair share of reads and throws, contributing to those subpar results. A few things are creeping up in the passing game that need fixing coming off the mini-bye week, mainly, how the Patriots want to handle motion and dictating matchups in man coverage.

For example, the Patriots elected to play sides with their cornerbacks since the Jets don't have a true No. 1 receiver without Wilson, which is fair. However, Jets OC Tanner Engstrand got a beat on the fact that New England wasn't shadowing receivers in man coverage, so he began using 3x1 formations where TE Mason Taylor was the lone receiver lined up to the short side of the field, leaving top CB Christian Gonzalez covering a tight end in man coverage. On the other side, that left safeties Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins in man-to-man on wide receivers.

Above, the Jets came out in a 3x1 formation on a third down late in the fourth quarter. As you can see, Gonzalez is over the tight end to the short side of the field, while Hawkins is playing man coverage with CB Carlton Davis III and NCB Marcus Jones over the three-receiver side. Hawkins gets caught in a matchup on Jets WR John Metchie, and Metchie wins on an 18-yard completion to keep the Jets slim comeback hopes alive. The Jets exploited the same safety-on-receiver matchup on Metchie's 22-yard touchdown with Woodson in coverage.

Another way the Jets challenged the Patriots man coverages was with motion. The Pats have toggled back and forth between passing off motion and running with motion, giving them some problems this season.

This time, they decide to pass off the motion, with Hawkins coming down to play man coverage on a wide receiver while Gonzalez replaces Hawkins as the post-safety. At the snap, the Jets add another layer with a switch release, meaning the outside receiver breaks in while the inside receiver releases outside. Davis III switches on to the receiver in motion, Metchie, who becomes the new No. 1 to that side. However, Hawkins doesn't switch, leaving Mitchell open on the crosseer (drop).

Ultimately, the Patriots will likely have a very different plan to deal with Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins next week. They could have Davis (Higgins) and Gonzalez (Chase) shadowing Cincy's top wideouts to avoid unfavorable matchups. Still, they haven't quite figured out how to consistently dictate matchups in their man coverages, which will increase in importance as the competition and stakes rise down the stretch.

Quick-Hit Film Notes From Pats-Jets After Further Review

Offense

- My only play-calling nitpick for OC Josh McDaniels was a 2nd-and-9 run-pass option that went for a 1-yard gain at the 4:14 mark of the second quarter, setting up a 3rd-and-8 (eventual punt). For starters, I'm not a huge fan of 2nd-and-long runs to begin with, but the play design included a pass option (bubble screen) to the same side as the run-action, rather than having the pass concept to the read side. When the Jets overplayed the run, Maye didn't have an answer. I will say, I don't subscribe to the theory that McDaniels gets too conservative with a lead or before the half. The Pats took their shots (Williams, Hollins) but didn't execute.

- WR Stefon Diggs carved up the Jets zones with eight catches for 100 yards on nine targets vs. zone coverages. Diggs caught a 21-yard crosser, a 13-yard stick route, and my favorite was his 22-yard sail route that he converted into a corner-stop into the zone void. That's a veteran receiver knowing where the soft spots are in a zone to get open. McDaniels is also hunting matchups for him in the slot, where Diggs caught his 13-yard stick on third down vs. Jets LB Jermaine Sherwood – Diggs was tremendous.

- As head coach Mike Vrabel said, RB TreVeyon Henderson grinded out some tough yards. Henderson had a 3rd-and-1 conversion (4.6 yards after contact) and a 3rd-and-3 run to ice it (5.9 yards after contact) that were both of the dirty-yard variety. His first two touchdowns were great play-sequencing off the fake power-toss ("plow push" TD) and then a rep of two-back power where he got tremendous blocking and made a great cut to get downhill. His receiving TD was Brady-to-White-esque on the "scissors" concept. Henderson showing off his power between the tackles after hitting homers in Tampa Bay was neat. The rookie also had a +blitz pickup on a 26-yard completion to Douglas.

- LT Will Campbell was matched up with Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV on 19 plays, and Campbell held McDonald to one total pressure – outstanding work. Campbell did get called for a hold on a rip move (hate those for the OL) and had a couple of whiffs in the run game (two stuffs), but the pass protection was stellar. Campbell has shown real growth in maintaining his inside-out leverage against outside speed, an issue for him at LSU, where he'd open the inside track by setting too far outside to high-side speed rushers. You can see that on two fantastic reps against McDonald's spin move, which is his go-to pass-rush move. By the way, McDonald had four sacks and seven total pressures vs. the Browns in Week 10.

- The 23-yard play-action crosser to TE Hunter Henry was straight out of the Brady-to-Gronk playbook, which was cool since Gronk was watching the game from the owner's box. Henry allowed two pressures on play-action drop-backs, including a sack, which is where the Patriots missed TE Austin Hooper. Hooper is typically better in those max-protect schemes.

- WR DeMario Douglas ran a fantastic "whip" route for a fourth-down conversion, sending Jets CB Brandon Stephens into orbit. Douglas also separated vs. man coverage on his 26-yard crosser, with a heads-up play to keep running when he wasn't touched down. However, Douglas did appear to have one poor route, where he broke into coverage rather than into the space over the middle, forcing Maye to scramble for a short gain.

- WR Mack Hollins was a QB-friendly target working dig routes over the middle multiple times, including on a 19-yarder and 17-yard leaping grab. Hollins is great at getting into Maye's "vision" when he's buying time in the pocket, has a huge catch radius and will work in the dirty areas. Unfortunately, the roughly 50-yard bomb to Hollins was punched out of his grasp at the last second. Hollins lamented that afterward. The Pats wideout also had a +block digging out the nickel on a 7-yard run.

- WR Kyle Williams appeared to run the wrong route twice, including a honey hole shot on the same "stick" concept that Maye threw to WR Kayshon Boutte on the game-winning drive in Buffalo. Williams also converted to a stop route rather than continuing upfield (Maye threw a go), but we put the incomplete post and first go route on Maye – two of his only misses.

- RG Mike Onwenu got a huge piece of Jets LB Quincy Williams for a +pull block on Henderson's second TD. He also had a great double-team on a 9-yard run, while only allowing a hurry in pass protection. However, Onwenu did allow a run stuff as the backside reach-blocker on an outside zone scheme, a tough block for the bigger right guard to make.

- RT Morgan Moses allowed two bull rush pressures, with losses to power being an issue over the last few weeks. Perhaps due to fatigue (high pads), the 34-year-old is now 11 games into the season without a bye. On the plus side, Moses had a great second-level climb on a 9-yard run.

- LG Jared Wilson had a great combination block on Henderson's second touchdown run, coming off a double team with Campbell to block the linebacker flying downhill at the line of scrimmage. Wilson had one stuffed run where he didn't find the MIKE on a power pull, but was clean in pass protection, mostly against DT Harrison Phillips (10 matchups).

- C Garrett Bradbury allowed two late pressures after a solid start. Bradbury was late to diagnose a stunt, leading to pressure on Maye's deep ball to Hollins, and allowed a batted pass on third down in the red zone. Bradbury did get a pancake when he looked for work while he was uncovered – I love those.

- Plus blocks for C/6OL Ben Brown (down block) and FB Jack Westover (kickout) on Henderson's second TD. However, Westover was called for a hold and still can't quite connect with Maye on scramble drills. They've been close a few times.

- QB Pressures: Henry (sack, hurry), Bradbury (two hurries), Moses (two hurries), Onwenu (hurry), Campbell (hurry), Henderson (hurry), Wilson (clean sheet).

Defense

- On the stat sheet, CB Christian Gonzalez only allowed one catch for two yards on six targets. However, he was fortunate that Jets WR Adonai Mitchell had two drops against him. Gonzalez was beaten on a go ball that should've been a huge play for the Jets, but Mitchell couldn't haul it in over his shoulder. Mitchell then was late to adjust to a back-shoulder throw on a pick-wheel, resulting in another drop – those easily could've been big plays. The Pats CB made a nice tackle as a cover-two flat defender on a check down and pressed a perimeter block to bottle up a jet sweep (four yards), but it's rare to see him lose reps in man coverage. With Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase up next, Gonzalez needs to be at his best.

- DT Christian Barmore looked more like himself as he plays through a back injury, logging a team-high six total pressures with his first sack of the season. Barmore's sack came on a double swipe move on Jets LG John Simpson. He also logged three pressures on DT/DT interior stunts, forced Fields to lollipop a screen pass that resulted in a two-yard loss, and had a run stuff. The lone blemish for Barmore was that he crashed inside, vacating the edge on an 11-yard zone read. Still, it was great to see Barmore flash again after he went two consecutive games without logging a pressure in Weeks 9-10.

- DT Milton Williams injured his left ankle when he made contact with Barmore on an interior stunt, so it was an accidental friendly fire. The Pats star DT played only eight snaps, six prior to the injury and two third downs before head coach Mike Vrabel decided to rest him. After the game, Williams was spotted in the locker room with tape on his ankle and a slight limp. Luckily, Williams will have nine days to recover before the Patriots visit the Bengals in Week 12 on Nov. 23. His status will be top of mind when New England returns to practice next week.

- EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson continues to make splash plays for the Pats defense, logging three pressures, one run stuff, and a huge peel off coverage to cover Fields on a double pass – that was a fantastic play, and the second time he has single-handedly eliminated a trick play this season. Chaisson logged his QB hit with a ghost-rip rush with a smooth transition after chipping the tight end. He's disruptive every single time you turn on the Pats D film.

- EDGE Harold Landry has not been the same player since injuring his ankle vs. the Saints in Week 6. Landry isn't on the practice report during the week, but you don't see the same explosiveness or change-of-direction in his movements. Maybe the late bye week will help the 29-year-old. Landry had a QB hit climbing the pocket to mirror Fields and a run stuff, but there's another gear that we haven't seen from the veteran since that injury scare in New Orleans.

- LB Jack Gibbens is making the most of his opportunity with LB Christian Elliss (hip) down in the last two games. Gibbens led the team with two run stuffs, including a great rep vs. counter bash to stay home on the inside run, and blew up a screen for a two-yard loss. Gibbens might be playing his way into being a full-time player next to Robert Spillane at linebacker.

- DB Dell Pettus is another defender who is earning more playing time. He broke up the fourth-down pass that sealed the win, logged a hurry on a blitz, and took away a read on a good zone-drop in a cover-two structure. Pettus might be the Patriots best answer to covering tight ends, emerging as a real option to be featured in a three-safety package moving forward.

- LB Robert Spillane had some issues getting off blocks on two positive runs. But also logged a pass breakup, two hurries on blitzes, and a run stuff. Spillane is at his best when he's the overlap defender in "spill" run fits, so that he can fly to the ball with good pacing. When he's asked to get off climbing linemen at the second level, it's a bit inconsistent.

- NT Khyiris Tonga had a rare loss in the run game where he was moved off the ball by a double-team on a 7-yard gain. However, he also logged a QB hit closing the pocket and batted a pass down at the line of scrimmage. It's rare to see Tonga lose a power engagement like he did on the 7-yard run, which speaks to the toll on these players during a short week.

- CB Carlton Davis was beaten by Mitchell on a third-down slant that went for 10 yards on 3rd-and-6 in the red zone. The Jets then scored on their opening drive two plays later. Besides that, Davis wasn't on the scene for any other targets in a quiet game for the Pats CB2.

- Very quiet evening for NCB Marcus Jones, who wasn't targeted in the passing game. Jones did have good man coverage throughout the evening, and logged an outside zone run stuff, sticking his nose in as the force defender to make the stick – he does that every week.

- S Craig Woodson got beat by the turf monster on Metchie's 22-yard TD – it happens. He also made a really nice play to replace Gibbens on a crack block, limiting the damage to a 6-yard run on a play that had a chance to go for big yardage. Although the turf monster got him, Woodson has now allowed five touchdowns in coverage in his rookie campaign, with three TDs allowed in the last four games.

- S Jaylinn Hawkins appeared to bust a coverage on Mitchell's third drop, failing to take the new No. 2 receiver off the motion. He also got stuck on Metchie in man coverage on an 18-yard completion, but that was more on the play call than the Pats safety, in my opinion.

- Rookie Elijah Ponder was the Patriots best edge defender in terms of playing cat-and-mouse with Fields on zone reads, which isn't surprising given his young legs and the fact that he was just in the college game last season. Ponder had a zone-read run stuff and did well to climb the pocket when Fields stepped through on his second sack in as many games.

- DT Cory Durden had three more hurries while bull-rushing and contributed to a run stuff by pressing the frontside zone blocker into the backfield, forcing a cutback. However, you see some limitations pop up with Durden's ability to move laterally down the line against stretch plays, where he can be reached on the backside of outside zone (two 5-yard runs). When he's using his power into the line of scrimmage, Durden's playing strength shines.

- Rookie DT Eric Gregory made his NFL debut and had a run stuff working through a double team on inside zone. Gregory plays with a lower center of gravity to split those doubles.

- LB Marte Mapu played one snap as a low-hole help/spy defender on a man-coverage third down, and Fields scrambled for 14 yards on a 3rd-and-4. Mapu likely was the one responsible for preventing Fields from moving the chains as a runner.

- QB Pressures: Barmore (sack, QB hit, four hurries), Ponder (sack), Chaisson (QB hit, two hurries), Tonga (QB hit, hurry), Landry (QB hit), Durden (three hurries), Spillane (two hurries), Murphy (hurry), Pettus (hurry). Run stuffs: Gibbens (2), one each (Ponder, Gregory, Barmore, Chaisson, Jones, Hawkins, Spillane, Landry).

- Coverage: Woodson (2/2/26 yards/TD), Gibbens (5/4/26 yards), Spillane (4/3/22 yards/PBU), Hawkins (1/1/18 yards/drop), Davis III (1/1/10 yards), Pettus (2/1/6 yards/PBU), Tavai (2/2/6 yards), Gonzalez (6/1/2 yards/2 drops), Chaisson (1/0/PBU), Jones (zero targets).

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer