EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — You’d be hard-pressed to find a less competitive game this NFL season than what unfolded Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.

The Patriots absolutely destroyed the Jets in the Week 17 42-10 win. It appeared like the Patriots were playing Madden on rookie mode. It looked like the varsity team was scrimmaging against the middle school team.

If anything, the win should serve as a confidence boost for the injury-ravaged 13-3 Patriots, who had played it close in two straight games, one a loss to the Bills, and the other, a nail-biting win over the Ravens.

Quarterback Drake Maye was magnificence and had the type of performance that should boost his MVP campaign even against a lowly opponent like the Jets.

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The Patriots made it look easy on their opening drive, going 61 yards on just seven plays before QB Drake Maye found tight end Austin Hooper in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson had a big drive, picking up 33 yards on three carries. Maye was 3-of-3 to start the game.

The Patriots’ defense made quick work of QB Brady Cook and the Jets’ offense, forcing a three-and-out.

An 18-yard pass interference penalty helped put the Patriots at the Jets’ 1-yard line, and Stevenson ran behind fullback Jack Westover for the touchdown. The drive saw rookie wide receiver Efton Chism make his first NFL catch, a 30-yard pickup on a slant.

Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Cook on third-and-6 to hand the ball back to Maye and the offense. They responded with another touchdown — this one a 22-yard completion from Maye to Stevenson — to go up 21 yards. It was a seven-play, 66-yard drive. Maye didn’t have a single incompletion in the first quarter.

The Jets finally put some points on the board with a 39-yard field goal from ex-Patriots kicker Nick Folk. Jets running back Breece Hall pushed the Jets down the field with a 19-yard run and 21-yard pass.

Maye led the Patriots on their fourth straight touchdown drive to start the game, finding Stefeon Diggs on a 3-yard screen on fourth down in the red zone. Maye began the game a perfect 11-of-11. The drive started with two explosive plays, a 21-yard catch by Diggs and a 17-yard run from rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson.

After the defense forced another Jets three-and-out, Maye led the Patriots on yet another touchdown-scoring drive. This one was a 10-play, 91-yard drive. Maye found tight end Hunter Henry for a 13-yard score for his fourth passing touchdown of the first half.

The Jets couldn’t do anything on either side of the half, but the Patriots scored a touchdown on their sixth straight possession. Maye hit Chism for a 10-yard diving touchdown in the end zone to go up 42-3.

With Joshua Dobbs taking over for Maye midway through the third quarter, the Patriots’ touchdown streak ended. Dobbs got the Patriots to the Jets’ 23-yard line before Andy Borregales missed a 41-yard field goal off the upright.

The Jets responded with their first touchdown of the afternoon on a 59-yard run from Hall against Patriots backup defenders.

BEST

QB Drake Maye: The Patriots’ Pro Bowl QB was 17-of-19 for 229 yards with four touchdowns … in the first half. He finished 19-of-21 for 256 yards with five touchdowns before giving way to Joshua Dobbs midway through the third quarter in the blowout win.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots’ run game, in general, was jelling. Stevenson scored two touchdowns in a game in which he had 100 yards from scrimmage.

WR Stefon Diggs: Diggs is now back on pace for a 1,000-yard season after catching six passes for 101 yards with a touchdown. He has 970 yards on the season with 30 to go before his seventh 1,000-yard campaign.

WR Efton Chism: The undrafted rookie made his first NFL catch and scored his first NFL TD in the two-catch, 40-yard showing.

S Jaylinn Hawkins: Yes, Hawkins missed a tackle on a big play from Hall, but he also picked off Cook for his third interception of the season.

LB Jack Gibbens: The veteran linebacker filled in admirably for Robert Spillane, registering five tackles and one tackle for loss in the win.

WORST

Special teams: It was hard to find downs after this game, but Jeremy Springer’s unit allowed one converted fake punt. They sniffed out a second.

Backup defense: The Patriots put in their reserves in the third quarter. Cory Durden, Dell Pettus, Jahlani Tavai and Brenden Schooler all had a part in allowing a 59-yard touchdown run by Breece Hall.

WHAT WE LEARNED

• The Patriots went with mostly heavy personnel on their opening drive, which isn’t surprising, since they dressed just four wide receivers with Mack Hollins on injured reserve and Kayshon Boutte out with a concussion. Hollins is the Patriots’ best blocking wide receiver, so they compensated with bigger bodies on offense.

• Rookie WR Kyle Williams took on a much bigger role with Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte out. Hollins was placed on injured reserve with an abdomen injury but still made the trip to New Jersey. Fellow rookie receiver Efton Chism took on the majority of Hollins’ snaps as a blocker.

• Anfernee Jennings started in Harold Landry’s outside linebacker spot, but Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson also took on bigger roles as pass rushers.

• Fullback Jack Westover (ankle) left the game late with an ankle injury. He was deemed questionable to return.