The New England Patriots pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks of the NFL season, rallying from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Baltimore Ravens, 28-24. And while the win itself was headline-worthy, there was one moment mid-game that had fans-and plenty of analysts-scratching their heads.
Let’s start with the play that sparked some controversy: early in the game, rookie quarterback Drake Maye was flushed from the pocket and, on the move, delivered a short pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. Boutte made the catch, but the play was quickly overshadowed by a flag for offensive pass interference.
The strange part? The official who threw the flag appeared not to be watching the play unfold.
Replay showed the ref looking away from the point of contact before tossing the flag late.
While the penalty didn’t ultimately impact the final score-New England still converted a first down and scored on the drive-it raised fresh concerns about officiating consistency. In a season where trust in the league’s officiating crews has already taken some hits, moments like this don’t help.
As one fan put it on social media, “With trust eroding in officiating, this is a flag you probably don’t want to be throwing.” It's a fair point.
In a tight playoff race, every call matters, even if this one didn’t swing the outcome.
Now, back to the main story: Drake Maye. The rookie quarterback continues to deliver in big moments, and Sunday night was the biggest yet.
With his team trailing 24-13 and less than 10 minutes left on the clock, Maye flipped a switch. He went 12-of-14 for 139 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter alone, and added a clutch 16-yard scramble to help seal the win.
It was his first career fourth-quarter comeback and his first 300-yard passing game-and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“This winning feeling, there’s nothing like it,” Maye said postgame, and you could see it on his face. This was a defining moment in what’s shaping up to be a special sophomore season for the young quarterback. He’s not just managing games-he’s taking over when it matters most.
The Patriots’ offensive line deserves some credit here, too. After a shaky start that included a first-quarter interception-courtesy of Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, who took advantage of a total breakdown in protection-the unit regrouped and gave Maye the time he needed late. That’s growth, and it’s coming at the right time.
Baltimore, meanwhile, was forced to adjust after Lamar Jackson exited with a back injury. The Ravens fought hard, but without their MVP-caliber quarterback, they couldn’t quite keep pace in the final minutes.
With the win, New England punches its ticket back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Even more impressive?
They’re still in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed. Despite last week’s loss to Buffalo, the Patriots remain a game ahead of the Bills in the division.
The Denver Broncos, who beat the Patriots earlier this season and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, lost to the Jaguars on Sunday. That opens the door for New England to potentially clinch home-field advantage-if Denver drops at least one of its final two games.
There’s still work to be done, but one thing is clear: Drake Maye is the real deal, and this Patriots team is peaking at the right time.