Patriots vs. Ravens: Drake Maye rallies New England from 11-point deficit in fourth quarter to clinch playoff berth
- - Patriots vs. Ravens: Drake Maye rallies New England from 11-point deficit in fourth quarter to clinch playoff berth
Frank Schwab December 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
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Drake Maye might fall just short of winning NFL MVP this season. Matthew Stafford will be tough to catch. But with the New England Patriots staring down their first two-game losing streak of the season, which would have moved them back into a tie with the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East, Maye made a compelling case to stay in the MVP conversation.
Maye had the first 300-yard game of his career and brought the Patriots back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens, 28-24.
New Englandās defense came through with a huge play in the final two minutes, when outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson forced a fumble in the final two minutes and the Patriots recovered to all but seal the win. The Patriots clinched a playoff berth with the victory.
The Ravens fell to 7-8 with the loss, and the Pittsburgh Steelers can win the AFC North next week with a win at the Cleveland Browns or a Ravens loss at the Green Bay Packers.
The Ravens played most of the game without Lamar Jackson but were still in position to win it in the fourth quarter.
Then Maye took over and made sure the Patriots would keep their one-game lead in the AFC East. He had 380 yards and two touchdowns. Whether or not Maye wins an award this season, it was his MVP moment.
Lamar Jackson injured in first half
The Ravens suddenly found themselves trying to win a critical game without their two-time MVP quarterback.
Jackson caught a knee to his back when he was going down at the end of a run, and he left in the middle of a drive to the sideline. He was taken to the locker room area to be worked on, and when the Ravens came out for their first drive of the second half, it was with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. Jackson was ruled out later in the third quarter.
In a very frustrating season for the Ravens, which has included Jackson missing time due to a hamstring injury and not looking like his typical explosive self since he returned, having to beat an 11-3 team and do it with Huntley at quarterback was a daunting task.
The Ravens stayed in it. They scored first Sunday night on a Derrick Henry 21-yard touchdown run when Jackson was in the game. With Huntley in, they gave receiver Zay Flowers an end-around and he navigated his way through the Patriotsā defense for an 18-yard score. That gave the Ravens a 17-13 lead.
Trying to win without Jackson wasnāt what the Ravens had in mind, but they knew the stakes Sunday night. They had to find a way to win, even if it wasnāt an ideal situation.
Ravens take second-half lead
Special teams gave the Ravens a big play. On fourth-and-10 the Patriots ran a fake punt. They had a direct snap to linebacker Marte Mapu, and he seemingly had an option to pass it but the Ravens were prepared for it. The pass route was covered and Mapu was swarmed quickly and hit well short of the first down.
The Ravens had good field position after that stop and leaned on Henry. He scored his second touchdown of the night on a 2-yard run to put the Ravens ahead 24-13.
The Patriots got a long touchdown after that to get back in the game. Maye lofted a 37-yard touchdown pass to rookie Kyle Williams, and a successful 2-point conversion cut Baltimoreās lead to 24-21.
Jackson might have been able to close out the game after that, but with Huntley the Ravens punted it right back to New England. Maye had a fantastic second half and completed a huge fourth-and-2 pass to Stefon Diggs to keep the drive alive. Rhamondre Stevenson finished the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a lead with 2:07 left.
Chaisson made a big defensive play after that. Flowers made a short catch but Chaisson, an outside linebacker who is having a breakout season after not working out as a 2020 first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, chased down the play. He punched the ball out from Flowersā grasp and the Patriots recovered. That all but sealed the win.
The Patriots looked like they were in trouble Sunday night, about to take a crushing loss. They turned the tables, and now itās the Ravens who are looking at their season ending a lot sooner than they ever expected.
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Mon, December 22, 2025 at 7:04 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots vs. Ravens
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungUp next for the Patriots
The Patriots sit at 12-3 with two games left in the regular season.
Up Next:Week 17: at New York JetsWeek 18: vs. Miami Dolphins
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots clinch a playoff spot
The Patriots are headed to the playoffs, and are tied with the Denver Broncos for the best record in the AFC.
THE PATRIOTS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS. pic.twitter.com/mSr7EQBUxv
ā New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungFINAL: Patriots 28, Ravens 24
The Patriots have completed the 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter to stun the Ravens.
Theyāve now officially clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2021.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots force a fumble!
Zay Flowers just didnāt see KāLavon Chaisson coming. Chaisson came in from behind and punched the ball out to force a fumble there, and the Patriots suddenly have the ball back.
CHAISSON FORCES THE FUMBLE.NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/k1qFLyors9
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots find the end zone!
Even after the missed DPI, the Patriots found their way down into the end zone. Stevenson just broke open a 21-yard run for a touchdown to put New England back on top.
RHAMONDRE FOR THE LEAD.NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VzcKV8z7Wd
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
They lead 28-24 now with 2:07 left.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM GMT+5:30Ryan Young
Stefon Diggs just saved the Patriots drive on fourth down with a huge catch.
Maye. Diggs. 4th down. Clutch.NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/6qywqsJnCi
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM GMT+5:30Ryan Young
Somehow, the Ravens got away with one hereā¦
There is no world this isn't a DPI. He's getting tackled. pic.twitter.com/W1u1TH5Nod https://t.co/E7jO91qoB4
ā Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:34 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots force a punt
The Patriots just forced a punt there, and didnāt fall for a hard count on fourth down. Theyāll get the ball back now with about five minutes left with a chance to go win the game.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:26 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots respond with a TD!
Well, weāre not done just yet.
Drake Maye just threw it in for Kyle Williams perfectly there in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. What an incredible grab by Williams for his third touchdown of the season.
OMG THIS IS BEAUTIFUL š.@DrakeMaye2 | @k_mmoneyyyy šŗ NBC pic.twitter.com/qQpgUkN76K
ā New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2025
The Patriots completed the two-point conversion, too, so weāve got a three point game again.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:17 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungDerrick Henry with another TD!
The Ravens are in full control of this one now. Derrick Henry just punched in a 2-yard touchdown run after the Patriotsā failed fake punt.
Derrick Henry's second TD! @Ravens lead 24-13.NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/b8zjtPtis6
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
The Ravens are up by 11 now with 12:50 left.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:11 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungEnd of 3: Baltimore 17, New England 13
The Ravens are driving once again with Tyler Huntley leading the way. Theyāll have a fresh set of downs at the New England 32 when we come back.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:08 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungLamar Jackson officially out
Itāll be Tyler Huntley the rest of the way for Baltimore.
QB Lamar Jackson (back) has been ruled out.
ā Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots botch a fake punt attempt
Welp, that didnāt work out well. The Patriots just tried to run a fake punt, and it failed miserably. What a gift for the Ravens.
The Patriots fake punt cannot convert!NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/FN6q20LMae
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM GMT+5:30Ryan Young
Drake Maye was really slow to get up there after a big hit in the backfield on third down, but he ended up jogging off. HIs left leg looked like it was wrapped up awkwardly.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungZay Flowers with the TD!
Zay Flowers weaved through the Patriots defense there on a reverse for an 18-yard touchdown, and the Ravens are suddenly back out in front.
Zay Flowers takes it himself for the lead!NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/iRatb21gFD
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
Flowers has five catches for 65 yards already tonight to go with his rushing touchdown.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungDeAndre Hopkins with a wild grab
DeAndre Hopkins somehow managed to get control of this one in time to get his feet down to complete the absurd grab. Thanks to a challenge from the Ravens, the catch will stand.
D-Hop hauls it in with one hand!NEvsBAL on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/9kYv1aYjOQ
ā NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:44 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungPatriots add a FG
Drake Maye had Rhamondre Stevenson open in the end zone there on third down, but he just barely overshot him.
So the Patriots will settle for a 41-yard field goal to jump back in the lead. Theyāre up 13-10 now with 7:43 left in the third.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:43 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungTreVeyon Henderson ruled out
TreVeyon Hendersonās night is over after he left in the first half with a head injury.
Henderson has been downgraded to OUT. https://t.co/QiK0L7Kmok
ā Patriots Communications (@PatriotsComms) December 22, 2025
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM GMT+5:30Ryan YoungRavens miss a FG
A massive sack from Jennings knocked the Ravens back, and then Tyler Loop left a 56-yard field goal just short. That would have been a career long for him.
That was a huge stop for the Patriots, who will get the ball back with great field position.
- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 8:33 AM GMT+5:30Ryan Young
That was a perfect start for the Baltimore defense, forcing a three-and-out right away in the third quarter.
The Ravens will get the ball back right away here, but Tyler Huntley is coming out to lead the offense again with Lamar Jackson still hurt.
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Source: āAOL Sportsā
