Patriots Storm Back to Stun Ravens, Clinch Playoff Berth Behind Maye’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics
In a season that’s been anything but predictable, the New England Patriots added another wild chapter to their 2025 campaign. Down 11 points in the fourth quarter on the road against a physical Ravens team, Drake Maye and company engineered a gutsy 28-24 comeback win at M&T Bank Stadium - a win that not only moves them to 12-3 on the year but officially punches their ticket to the postseason.
This one had all the makings of a Baltimore runaway early. The Ravens opened the game with a clinical 65-yard drive capped by a classic Derrick Henry touchdown rumble.
Then, just when New England looked ready to answer, Marlon Humphrey stepped in front of a Maye pass in the red zone to snuff out the Patriots’ opening drive. At that point, it felt like Baltimore had all the momentum and the makings of a statement prime-time win.
But momentum in the NFL is a fragile thing.
On the Ravens’ very next possession, Henry - who had been rock-solid all season - coughed up the football for the first time since Week 3. That rare mistake cracked the door open, and the Patriots didn’t hesitate to walk through it. They rattled off 10 unanswered points, and just like that, we had a tie game heading into halftime.
Then came the moment that changed everything: Lamar Jackson leaving with a back injury late in the second quarter.
Jackson had been sharp to that point - 7-of-10 passing for 101 yards and a few vintage scrambles - but after a short run just before the two-minute warning, he came up gingerly. A timeout followed, and Jackson was soon headed to the locker room, never to return.
Tyler Huntley stepped in and, to his credit, kept the Ravens moving. In fact, he led back-to-back touchdown drives in the third and early fourth quarters to give Baltimore a 24-13 lead.
But that’s when Drake Maye flipped the switch.
Maye Delivers Signature Moment
It wasn’t a flawless performance from the second-year quarterback - he turned the ball over twice - but when the game was on the line, Maye looked every bit the franchise guy New England believes he can be.
He was surgical in the fourth quarter, completing 12 of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. The turning point? A beautifully placed 37-yard strike to Kyle Williams that sliced Baltimore’s lead to four and put the pressure squarely on the Ravens.
On the next drive, Maye kept the foot on the gas. Facing a fourth-and-2 from the Ravens’ 48, the Patriots stayed aggressive - and Maye rewarded the gamble.
He found Stefon Diggs for a 21-yard gain that not only moved the sticks but put New England in prime scoring position. Two plays later, Rhamondre Stevenson broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run that gave the Patriots their first lead of the night with just over two minutes to play.
And when New England needed one more play to seal it, Maye delivered again - a 16-yard scramble where he wisely slid down in bounds to let the clock bleed. Ballgame.
Diggs Steps Up in the Spotlight
Stefon Diggs hadn’t exactly been lighting up the stat sheet in recent weeks, but he picked the perfect time to remind everyone why he’s still one of the most dangerous receivers in the league. Diggs caught nine of his 10 targets for 138 yards, repeatedly coming through in high-leverage moments.
None bigger than that fourth-down conversion late in the fourth quarter. With the Patriots trailing and the game hanging in the balance, Maye looked Diggs’ way - and the veteran delivered with a clutch catch that set up the go-ahead score.
This was the version of Diggs New England envisioned when they brought him in. Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games - and that’s exactly what he did.
Henry’s Big Night Overshadowed by Costly Turnover
On the other side, Derrick Henry was doing everything he could to carry Baltimore’s offense, especially after Jackson exited. The bruising back racked up 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, showcasing the kind of power and burst that’s made him one of the league’s most feared runners.
But his first-half fumble loomed large. With Baltimore up 7-0 and threatening to extend the lead, Henry lost the handle on a second-down carry from the Patriots’ 37-yard line.
New England recovered, scored, and never looked back. It was a rare miscue from Henry, but one that changed the entire trajectory of the game.
Huntley’s Effort Falls Short
Tyler Huntley deserves credit for keeping Baltimore in control for much of the second half. Thrust into action against a playoff-caliber defense, he led two impressive touchdown drives and looked poised under pressure.
But when the Ravens needed one more answer in the final two minutes, the ball slipped away - literally. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Zay Flowers had the ball punched out by linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson. The Patriots recovered, and from there, it was all about clock management.
It was a gut-punch ending for a Ravens team that had the game in hand more than once.
Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus
With the win, New England locks up a playoff berth and keeps its sights set on the AFC East crown. The Patriots now turn their attention to a Week 17 road matchup against the Jets, followed by a potentially division-deciding clash at home against the Dolphins in Week 18.
For Baltimore, the path is much tougher. The loss drops them out of wild card contention entirely - their only shot at the postseason now runs through the AFC North title. To pull that off, they’ll need to win out and hope the Steelers stumble down the stretch.
Bottom Line: This was the kind of game that defines a team’s season. The Patriots didn’t play their best for three quarters, but when it mattered most, they showed poise, resilience, and a little bit of swagger. Drake Maye may have just had his breakout moment - and New England may be peaking at just the right time.