DETROIT (AP) — Kyle Connor scored two of Winnipeg's three power-play goals and added an assist on the third as the Jets held off the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Sunday.
Cole Perfetti scored the Jets' other goal and had two assists, while Josh Morrissey also had two assists. Stuart Skinner made 33 saves in Winnipeg's first victory. The Jets lost to Boston in overtime in their season opener on Friday.
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Detroit Red Wings left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) takes a shot against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) tries to defend against Detroit Red Wings center Emmitt Finnie (58) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyrel Bauer, left, and Detroit Red Wings right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) celebrates after his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with left wing Kyle Connor, left, and center Mark Scheifele (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Viktor Arvidsson and Emmitt Finnie scored for the Red Wings and John Gibson stopped 24 saves. Detroit was blanked 2-0 by the New York Rangers in its opener on Friday.
Prominent members of the United States' gold-medal squad at the Milan Cortina Olympics were not on the ice. Detroit center Dylan Larkin was sidelined with an upper-body injury, while Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck remained on the suspended/inactive list. Both players have requested trades from their teams.
Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson (unsigned) and forward Marco Kasper (upper body) also missed the game.
The Jets took advantage of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Keegan Kolesar and J.T. Compher in the first period on goals by Perfetti and Connor.
Connor scored his second power-play goal from the right circle during the second period. Arvidsson ended the Red Wings' scoring drought with 3:08 left in the period.
Finnie's goal at 4:56 of the third cut the Jets' lead to 3-2. The Red Wings failed to take advantage of a late power-play opportunity and Skinner made a nifty save against Lucas Raymond in the final minute to preserve the Jets' lead.
Jets: Visit Pittsburgh on Monday.
Red Wings: Host Ottawa on Tuesday.
See AP’s full NHL coverage here
Detroit Red Wings left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) takes a shot against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) tries to defend against Detroit Red Wings center Emmitt Finnie (58) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyrel Bauer, left, and Detroit Red Wings right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) celebrates after his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with left wing Kyle Connor, left, and center Mark Scheifele (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Drake Maye didn’t have to be perfect after his rough start to the season.
The New England Patriots quarterback understood he simply needed to be more consistent.
Maye delivered by shaking off two first-half turnovers to finish with three touchdown passes — including Efton Chism’s one-handed catch with 1:50 remaining — in rallying New England to a 29-26 win over Josh Allen and the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The three touchdowns were two more than Maye combined for in New England losing two of its first three games to open the season. The 29 offensive points scored against Buffalo matched the Patriots’ total from their first three outings.
“It’s relieving a little bit,” said Maye, who was facing criticism after opening the season throwing six interceptions and losing a fumble. “I know I’ve got to play better and still left some stuff out there today. But we’ve got to build on it.”
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was far more enthusiastic about his third-year quarterback’s performance in an outcome that allowed the defending AFC East champions to improve to 2-2 and close the gap on their division rival Bills (3-1).
“Gets us back in the race. Josh (Allen) was unbelievable,” Vrabel said. “Felt like Drake went toe to toe with him.”
Indeed he did.
With New England trailing 26-21 following Allen’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, Maye led an eight-play, 73-yard drive, which he capped with the completion to Chism.
Facing third-and-5, Maye rolled to his right and lobbed a perfectly placed pass to the second-year receiver, who caught it with his right hand and maintained control falling to the ground.
“Shoot, when I’m out there and the ball is in the air, I kind of black out,” said Chism, who was getting extended playing time after Mack Hollins left with a calf injury. “Drake gave me an opportunity and you have to come down with those opportunities.”
Maye finished 22 of 37 for 269 yards. Romeo Doubs had touchdown catches of 2 and 14 yards, and Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 1-yard run.
The Bills, meanwhile, frittered away a chance to widen their division lead, losing for the first time under coach Joe Brady and first time at their new Highmark Stadium.
“The wins and losses are all the same to me. I don’t mean that in a negative way,” Brady said, before explaining his objective is always finding ways to be better.
“We’re not going to make excuses. We’re not gonna let others make excuses for us,” he added. “Let’s just start with ourselves and then we’ll continue to clean it up and obviously start with myself.”
Buffalo has much to clean up after committing two turnovers a week after a five-giveaway outing in a 24-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Receiver Khalil Shakir lost a fumble, and Allen’s interception — his third of the season — essentially sealed the loss in ending Buffalo’s final drive.
Despite having a minute left and the ball at the Buffalo 40, Allen turned overly aggressive. On second-and-6, he spun out of Dre’Mont Jones’ sack attempt, stepped up in the pocket and went deep only to have his underthrown pass intended for Josh Palmer intercepted by Craig Woodson.
“Should have thrown that one out of bounds and live another day. That’s what I should have done,” Allen said. “It stinks. I feel like we hurt ourselves.”
Allen finished 23 of 33 for 253 yards with a touchdown and also scored on a 2-yard run. James Cook scored on an 8-yard run.
The offense also appeared to struggle after DJ Moore left with a shoulder injury late in the first half. Defensively, tackle Ed Oliver was sidelined by a knee injury, and the unit was already missing its top cornerback, Christian Benford (toe).
Maye put the finishing touches on the win after Allen’s interception by rolling out to his right and lobbing a 12-yard pass to Hunter Henry in allowing the Patriots to run out the clock.
“I thought he just competed today, whether it was a bad snap, dropping the ball, whatever it may have been,” Vrabel said of Maye, who’s turnover issues extended to the start of last season's playoffs. “I’m happy for him, I’m proud of him. He deserves all the credit.”
Allen’s 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14 with one minute left in the first half was his 88th career from scrimmage (rushing/receiving) to break the team record held by Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. It was also Allen’s 86th TD rushing, moving him into a tie with Priest Holmes for 16th place on the NFL's career list.
Patriots: host the Las Vegas on Sunday.
Bills: at the Los Angeles Rams on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 12
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the Buffalo Bills in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) reacts in the second half against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch for a touchdown against New England Patriots cornerback Charles Woods (22) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86) makes a catch to score a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Davison Igbinosun (21) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
