AFC East Champions: How Drake Maye’s Five TD Masterclass Secured the Title
The landscape of the AFC has officially shifted. In a Week 17 performance that felt like a coronation, the New England Patriots dismantled the New York Jets 42-10, completing an undefeated road record for the season and, more importantly, clinching the AFC East title for the first time in the post Tom Brady era. At the heart of this resurgence is sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, whose historic afternoon at MetLife Stadium has kept him firmly entrenched in the NFL MVP conversation as the regular season reaches its crescendo.
The Patriots’ victory, combined with a Buffalo Bills loss to the Philadelphia Eagles later that afternoon, ended Buffalo's five year reign over the division. For head coach Mike Vrabel, it is a monumental achievement in his first year at the helm, transforming a team that won only four games last season into a 13-3 powerhouse and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Winner: Drake Maye and the MVP Race
Drake Maye didn't just play well in Week 17; he made history. Maye became the first player in NFL history to complete over 90% of his passes while throwing for at least 250 yards and five touchdowns in a single game. He finished 19 of 21 for 256 yards with a near perfect passer rating of 157.0 before being pulled in the third quarter to a chorus of "MVP" chants from the traveling New England faithful.
With 30 passing touchdowns and over 4,000 yards on the season, Maye has joined Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe as the only Patriots quarterbacks to hit those statistical milestones. Currently sitting with +200 odds to win the MVP award, Maye trails only Matthew Stafford. His ability to operate with surgical precision under Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels has turned the Patriots' offense into one of the most efficient units in the league, ranking second in expected points added (EPA) per drop back.
Winner: The New England Patriots’ "Next Gen" Dynasty
The Patriots are no longer a "rebuilding" team they are a finished product. By clinching the AFC East, New England has guaranteed itself at least one home playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The turnaround has been fueled by a dominant defense that ranks in the top five for points allowed and a specialized offense that features playmakers like Stefon Diggs and Rhamondre Stevenson, both of whom caught touchdowns on Sunday.
The win also marked the Patriots’ 24th series sweep of the Jets, but this one felt different. It signaled the official end of a half decade of divisional irrelevance. With an 8-0 record on the road, the Patriots have matched a feat only accomplished by elite teams like the 1980s 49ers, proving they can win in any environment.
Loser: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills
While New England celebrates, the Buffalo Bills find themselves as the weekend's biggest losers. After five consecutive division titles, the Bills’ 13-12 loss to the Eagles officially dethroned them. Josh Allen had a chance to save the division lead with a late two point conversion attempt, but his pass sailed wide of Khalil Shakir, leaving Buffalo to face the reality of a Wild Card path through the playoffs.
The loss highlights a season of inconsistency for Buffalo, who now must win in Week 18 just to maintain their seeding. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, losing the division to a second year quarterback and a first year head coach is a bitter pill to swallow.
Loser: The New York Jets and the "Spoilers"
The Jets entered Week 17 with hopes of playing spoiler to their bitter rivals, but they offered zero resistance. Allowing touchdowns on the Patriots' first six consecutive drives, the Jets' defense looked demoralized and outmatched. The loss further cements a disastrous season for New York, who now face an offseason of massive questions regarding their coaching staff and aging roster.
The Path to the No. 1 Seed
As the NFL moves into Week 18, the Patriots have one final goal: the AFC’s top seed. Currently tied with the Denver Broncos for the best record in the conference, New England needs a win over the Miami Dolphins and a Broncos loss to the Chargers to secure a first round bye.
Regardless of the seeding, one thing is certain: the AFC East once again runs through New England. With Drake Maye leading the charge, the Patriots have not only returned to the playoffs they have returned to the top of the NFL hierarchy.