FOXBOROUGH - The New England Patriots fell into a quick 6-0 hole against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but the game suddenly and permanently shifted gears when Marcus Jones ripped off an 87-yard punt return for touchdown one possession later. That gave the Pats a 7-6 lead and they'd continue to pour it on from there, racing to a 28-6 halftime lead that would become a 42-13 final; the most points scored at home since Week 17 of 2021.
Drake Maye went 14-of-17 for 203 yards, with a passing and rushing touchdown in an efficient effort that featured plenty of chunk plays. He was lifted for back-up Josh Dobbs early in the fourth quarter. Marcus Jones set a single-game team record for his punt return yardage (167 yards), while Stefon Diggs led the team with 101 receiving yards, his best performance to date as a Patriot.
Outside of an initial drive by Carolina, it was an all-around effort for the Patriots, delivering the first home win of the Mike Vrabel era and the first 40-point-plus scoring output since the 2021 season. Most importantly, it was a validating victory for a young New England team to build off of.
Here's how it went down.
1. Panthers Come Out Firing
It didn't take long for Carolina to take the lead in the game, as the Patriots showed little resistance on the Panthers opening drive, a mix of run and pass that kept the defense on their heels. Bryce Young and company needed just seven plays to travel 76 yards and they didn't face a single third down. Tommy Tremble came down with the touchdown to cap off the drive but a missed extra point kept the score 6-0. It was the third time in four games that the Patriots allowed an opening drive touchdown to their opponent.
After an opening three-and-out by the Patriots offense, the Patriots defense found their stride after Carolina again moved the ball past midfield on their second possession. K'Lavon Chaisson came up with a run stop on the first third down that the Panthers faced, forcing a punt. Christian Barmore delivered a key pressure on second down to help slow down the Panthers and turn the early tide.
2. Marcus Jones Electrifies
As the Panthers first punt of the game fell into Marcus Jones' arms, he had a collection of Panthers around him, but that's when the special returner is at his best. Jones calmly darted through the traffic, found a lane and exploded upfield, taking the return 87 yards to the house. Andy Borregales added on the extra point as New England retook the lead after a flat start on both sides of the ball.
It was the second punt return touchdown of Jones' career, with the first coming back in 2023 when he walked off with a win against the Jets. Just like that, it was 7-6 Patriots as the special teams got things going after slow starts by the offense and defense out of the gate.
3. Patriots Offense Clicks In
It was late in the first quarter by the time that the Patriots offense got the ball back for their second possession of the game. After the defense forced their second punt of the game, Drake Maye and the offense took over at their 20-yard line and quickly started piling up chunk yardage. Austin Hooper took a screen pass 24 yards, then, two plays later Antonio Gibson took an end around for 21 yards, followed by a Rhamondre Stevenson 22-yard gain. Two plays later Maye took it in himself with a five-yard touchdown run, extending New England's lead to 14-6 with the extra point.
New England's second drive looked as effortless as Carolina's first drive, as the defense's initial stop that led to Jones' punt return touchdown was a major turning point in the first half. It was a six-play, 80-yard drive that took only three minutes to produce. Josh McDaniels was in his bag, leaving the Panthers defense looking for answers.
4. Pats Add Another
The Panthers would regain some of their success on their ensuing drive, again moving the ball past midfield while focusing their attack on the running game and hitting the flat with short passes. But Chaisson came through again with another key play, delivering a second-down sack that forced a third-and-long. After an incomplete pass on third down, the Panthers missed a field goal from 55 yards out, giving the ball back to the Patriots for a third possession.
The big plays continued, as Maye hit a streaking Stefon Diggs for 33 yards to set the Patriots up inside the red zone. But an Austin Hooper facemask penalty cost them some negative yardage, moving the ball back 15 yards to the 24-yard line. A Carolina tripping penalty gave the 15 yards back two plays later and the Pats made the most of the gained yardage, with TreVeyon Henderson finishing off the drive with another touchdown. That made it 21-6 after the extra point, as New England surged ahead after falling behind 6-0 with three-straight scores.
5. Marcus Jones Electrifies, Pt. 2
New England kept gaining momentum in the second quarter, forcing their second three-and-out of the day, setting up another dynamic return from Marcus Jones, this one going 61 yards as Jones navigated through multiple would-be tacklers as he dashed up the sideline. The second big return of the day set the Patriots offense up with their best starting field position of the day, the Panthers 14-yard line.
The offense had to convert a 3rd-and-5, but Hunter Henry came through once again, picking up the first down but was stopped just short of the goal line. On the next play, Gibson took the ball into the end zone for the Patriots third-straight touchdown, extending the lead to 28-6, a lead that they took into the locker room at halftime.
6. Patriots Pour It On
New England didn't rest on their excellent first half, instead they came out firing and continuing to find chunk yardage. Kayshon Boutte had an 18-yard catch, while Stefon Diggs came through with a big catch for 22 yards on 3rd-and-15 to keep the drive alive. Hunter Henry would finish it off, taking a little dump off from Maye up the sideline for a 31-yard score. Pop Douglas did a notable job blocking for Henry downfield, as the 2025 Patriots came to life and kept piling it on. Five minutes into the third quarter, New England was up 35-6. After an initial three-and-out, New England scored touchdowns on four of their next five offensive possessions.
Stefon Diggs came up with a 30-yard reception late in the third quarter, helping to set up Maye's second touchdown toss of the day, this one to Mack Hollins to make it 42-6 early in the fourth quarter.
7. Patriots Are 2-2
With the needed win, New England evens their season record at 2-2 as they prepare to head to Buffalo for a divisional matchup against the Bills on Sunday Night Football.
The offensive output is most encouraging, as Drake Maye looked at ease while completing the vast majority of his passes and was unphased by the Panthers pass rush. Maye delivered the ball to a variety of targets, showing how Josh McDaniels' scheme is beginning to take hold. And most importantly, the Patriots were safe with the ball and never allowed the Panthers a way back into the game.
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