FOXBORO — As Antonio Brown was losing his mind on Twitter, on Sunday morning, it became clear that the Patriots were better off without the troubled wide receiver. As the offense took the field, it seemed like things would continue to work efficiently without that troubled playmaker, who was here for a forgettable 11 days before being released on Friday.

As this contest went on, however, it also became clear that the Patriots need to stay healthy. As Julian [...]

FOXBORO — As Antonio Brown was losing his mind on Twitter, on Sunday morning, it became clear that the Patriots were better off without the troubled wide receiver. As the offense took the field, it seemed like things would continue to work efficiently without that troubled playmaker, who was here for a forgettable 11 days before being released on Friday.

As this contest went on, however, it also became clear that the Patriots need to stay healthy. As Julian Edelman left the field for a chest injury and Josh Gordon left the field multiple times for multiple injuries, the Pats’ war of attrition came into focus.

The Patriots are better off without Brown. They still have a team that remains Super Bowl favorites. They still have a defense that looks like one of the best in the league. Without Brown, however, the Pats needs to keep a clean bill of health on the offensive end.

Following Edelman’s exit, at the end of the second quarter, the offense wasn’t nearly efficient, scoring 10 points in the second half. Against the New York Jets, however, it was certainly enough as the Patriots won 30-14 to improve to 3-0.

Brady completed 28/42 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Gordon (77 yards), Edelman (62 yards, touchdown) and Dorsett (53 yards, touchdown) all chipped in.

In their first series since dumping Brown, the Patriots offense looked the same en route to an early, 6-0 lead. Brady hit five different players on the opening drive, including tight end Ryan Izzo for a gain of 41 yards. Sony Michel capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run at 4:31 of the first quarter. Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point.

On Sunday, the Pats moved Phillip Dorsett up to their third receiver spot and used rookie Jakobi Meyers on the field during those four wide out sets. To make the Jets heads spin, the Pats also used an offense with two backs, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden.

It took Brady’s group three plays to score on the second drive. After Gordon caught a 17-yard pass, the Jets simply forgot to cover Dorsett on a play-action fake. The receiver turned that mistake into a 25-yard touchdown at 4:25 of the first.

The Patriots opened this game by scoring touchdowns on their first three drives. All receivers on the field hurt the Jets on this one. After Edelman caught back-to-back gains for 15 and 14 yards, Brady hit Meyers, who was wide open, for a gain of 18. That set up a first-and-goal. Three plays later, Brady went back to Edelman for a 3-yard touchdown pass at 13:34 of the second and the Pats led, 19-0.

Things were going swimmingly until they weren’t.

After starting the first three drives with three touchdowns, the Pats final three drives of the first half ended in punts. To make matters worse, the Patriots saw their top two receivers leave the field on their final drive of the second quarter.

First, Gordon left after landing awkwardly for a jump ball. He immediately asked for the doctors and then went into the blue medical tent. Two plays later, Edelman left the field, leaving for the locker room after hauling in a 3-yard pass. When the second half started, Gordon was on the field, but Edelman wasn’t and never returned due to a chest injury.

It didn’t get better. The Patriots extended their lead to 23-0 when Gostkowski hit a 37-yard field goal. On that drive, however, Gordon left the field for another injury. He was called for a facemask penalty on the play, but you could see him shaking his left hand as he attempted to block Nate Hairston. Gordon left the field and was checked by the Patriots medical staff. The next time the Pats used three receivers on that drive, they lined up Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski, who played his first offensive snap.

Gordon returned to the field on the next drive with his pinky and ring finger taped together on his left hand. When he caught a 3-yard pass, you could tell he was in pain. Two plays later, it didn’t matter. Faced with a third down with 22 yards to go, Gordon jumped up to make an incredible highlight reel grab for a gain of 28.

That set up a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Three plays later, Burkhead ran in for a 2-yard touchdown at 3:07 of the third and the Pats led, 30-0.

The Patriots allowed their first touchdown of the season, but it wasn’t due to the defense. With 21 seconds left in the third quarter, Olszewski muffed a punt. Jets cornerback Arthur Maulet recovered in the end zone for a touchdown and the Pats led, 30-7. This marked the first touchdown against the Pats since the AFC Championship game against Kansas City.

With 8:41 left in the game, rookie Jarrett Stidham came in at quarterback, but didn’t last long. Jets safety Jamal Adams intercepted the rookie and ran back 60 yards for a touchdown with 6:23 left in the game. Brady returned to the field on the next series.