TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Sunday’s game had a preseason feel, with Maye pulled midway through the third quarter holding a 39-point lead. But the blowout win was still impressive for what it represented: pure domination in a must-win situation. Ben Volin has more analysis from the win.
UNCONVENTIONAL REVIEW: Chad Finn suspects Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will win the NFL Most Valuable Player award, but he believes it should be Maye getting the honor.
MEETING THE MOMENT: Down a slew of key contributors, the Patriots didn’t look shorthanded in the 42-10 blowout, with several unheralded players stepping up. Nicole Yang looks at how receiver Efton Chism emerged as New England’s latest example of “the next man up.”
MOVING FORWARD: Having clinched the division, the goal for the Patriots is to maintain the sort of sharpness they showed over the last couple of weeks, while continuing to display the sort of steady pragmatism that has marked their ascent this season. Christopher Price has more on their approach.
HOW IT HAPPENED: As has been the case all season, the Globe provided live updates throughout Sunday's win. Here's how it unfolded.
WATCH: Maye threw a career-high five touchdowns to Rhamondre Stevenson, Stefon Diggs, Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry, and Chism as the Patriots finished the regular season 8-0 on the road. Watch video of each touchdown here.
PICTURE THIS: Globe photographer Danielle Parhizkharan was on the scene at MetLife Stadium. Check out her shots from Sunday's win here.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: In a game decided by a 2-point conversion attempt, Josh Allen sailed his pass out of the reach of Khalil Shakir in the back of the end zone with 5 seconds remaining. That was the difference as the Eagles beat the Bills, 13-12. ... Brock Purdy threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 left, and the 49ers forced an incomplete pass on the final play from the 2-yard line to
beat the Bears, 42-38, on Sunday night ... Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard toss for his first career score, and the Dolphins beat the slumping Buccaneers 20-17. ... Derrick Henry
rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the host Packers, 41-24. With the Steelers losing at Cleveland, the Ravens could win the AFC North by beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 18. ... C.J. Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives of the game, and the Texans
went on to beat the Chargers, 20-16, and clinch a third consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.
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