Patriots Rally Past Ravens: 5 Takeaways From New England’s Playoff-Clinching Win
The Sunday Night Football matchup between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens was billed as a potential postseason preview, but by the time the clock hit zero, the trajectories of these two franchises could not have looked more different.
In a game defined by injury, momentum swings, and a frantic fourth quarter, the Patriots erased an 11-point deficit to defeat the Ravens 28-24. The victory pushed New England to a 12-3 record and officially clinched a playoff berth, marking their return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. Conversely, the Ravens fell to 7-8, a record that puts their postseason hopes on life support as they now require outside help to salvage their season.
Here are the major takeaways from a pivotal night in Baltimore.
Drake Maye Solidifies His MVP Candidacy
While Matthew Stafford remains the frontrunner in the national conversation, Drake Maye used the primetime spotlight to make it clear he belongs in the discussion. The rookie quarterback faced significant adversity on Sunday night, including a hostile environment and a double-digit deficit in the final quarter.
Maye finished the night 31 of 44 passing for a career-high 380 yards and two touchdowns. Beyond the box score, it was his composure that stood out. After New England botches a fake punt deep in their own territory, a play that led to a Derrick Henry touchdown and a 24-13 Baltimore lead, the game felt over. The momentum had entirely shifted to the home team.
Instead of folding, Maye orchestrated a masterclass in the fourth quarter. He connected with rookie Kyle Williams for a 37-yard touchdown and converted the subsequent two-point conversion to cut the lead to three. Later, facing a critical fourth-and-2, Maye hit Stefon Diggs to keep the drive alive, setting up Rhamondre Stevenson’s go-ahead score. Maye proved he can win not just with his arm, but with his decision-making under duress.
The Lamar Jackson Injury Alters the AFC Landscape
The story of this game cannot be told without addressing the absence of Lamar Jackson in the second half. The two-time MVP left the game in the second quarter with a back injury and did not return. Before his exit, Jackson looked efficient, but the Ravens’ offense had to completely shift gears with backup Tyler Huntley under center.
To Huntley’s credit, the Ravens remained competitive. They leaned heavily on the run game and manufactured a scoring drive that included a Zay Flowers touchdown on a reverse. However, the explosive playmaking ability that strikes fear into defensive coordinators was missing. The Patriots defense was able to pin its ears back in the fourth quarter in a way they likely would not have dared if Jackson were behind center.
The long-term concern for Baltimore is now twofold. First, they let a winnable game slip away. Second, the health of their franchise quarterback is in question with only two weeks remaining in the season. If Jackson is forced to miss extended time, the Ravens’ already slim playoff chances become microscopic.
Defense Wins Games: The K’Lavon Chaisson Strip-Sack
For all the offensive fireworks provided by Maye and Henry, the game was ultimately decided by a defensive play. With just under two minutes remaining and the Ravens attempting to mount a game-winning drive, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson delivered the play of his career.
Chaisson, a former first-round pick who has found new life in New England, chased down Zay Flowers from behind and punched the ball loose. The Patriots recovered the fumble, effectively sealing the contest.
It was a redeeming moment for a New England defense that had struggled at times to contain Derrick Henry, who rushed for 96 yards and two scores. The unit bent repeatedly, giving up 24 points to an offense led largely by a backup quarterback, but they produced the turnover when the stakes were highest. This is the hallmark of a playoff-caliber team. They find ways to win even when they are not playing their best football.
The Ravens Are in Freefall
The mood in Baltimore is undeniably dark. This loss dropped the Ravens to under .500 at 7-8. The Pittsburgh Steelers can now clinch the AFC North with a win or a Ravens loss next week.
What makes this loss particularly stinging for Baltimore is that they controlled the narrative for three quarters. They ran the ball effectively, forced turnovers, and capitalized on New England’s special teams blunder. Yet, they could not close the door.
The Ravens have now lost back-to-back games and are staring at a scenario where a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations ends without a playoff appearance. They played with desperation on Sunday night, but execution errors in the final minutes undid 55 minutes of solid football. They now need to win out and hope for favorable results elsewhere in the conference to sneak into a Wild Card spot.
New England Shows Championship Resilience
The Patriots clinched a playoff spot, but more importantly, they showed they have the mental fortitude to contend for a title. Good teams win when they play well; great teams win when things go wrong.
New England committed turnovers. They failed on a risky fake punt that gave Baltimore a short field. They lost the time of possession battle in critical stretches. Despite all of this, they remained focused.
The coaching staff deserves credit for keeping the team centered after the fake punt disaster. It would have been easy for the team to deflate after giving up such an easy touchdown. Instead, the offense marched down the field immediately to answer. This resilience will be a necessary trait in January. The Patriots are currently in the driver’s seat for the AFC East title, holding a one-game lead over the Buffalo Bills. If they can maintain this level of execution in crunch time, the road to the Super Bowl may very well go through Foxborough.
