Ravens vs. Patriots recap: New England punches ticket to playoffs with late rally in Baltimore

Drake Maye and Co. rallied from a double-digit deficit to secure a spot in the postseason

The New England Patriots have added yet another second-half rally to what has already been a chaotic Week 16 in the NFL. Drake Maye's club erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit compiled by the Baltimore Ravens and escaped M&T Bank Stadium with a 28-24 victory. Not only does the win push Mike Vrabel and Co. to 12-3 on the season, but it clinches the franchise a playoff berth. 

Out of the gate, it looked as if the Ravens were going to run away with this prime-time contest. They began the night with a rather smooth 65-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a Derrick Henry rushing score, his first of two touchdowns on the ground. After that, Marlon Humphrey picked off Maye during New England's opening possession of the night after marching into the red zone. 

It was at that juncture that the first momentum shift in the game occurred with Henry fumbling during Baltimore's second possession, which sparked a 10-0 run by the Patriots. The two sides entered halftime knotted at 10 apiece, but the key development in the closing minutes of the second quarter was Lamar Jackson departing with a back injury. The two-time NFL MVP would not return to the game, which led to Tyler Huntley slotting in under center the rest of the way. 

For the bulk of the second half, Huntley was answering the bell and even piled up back-to-back touchdown drives to give Baltimore the 24-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, that's when Maye and the offense flipped a switch, starting with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams to cut into the deficit. They followed that up with another touchdown drive, this time with Rhamondre Stevenson weaving his way in for the 21-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner. 

This was Maye's first-career game with at least 300 yards passing and his first fourth-quarter comeback win. His go-to target proved to be Stefon Diggs, who finished his night with 138 yards on nine catches. Henry was the catalyst on the Baltimore side of things offensively, particularly after Jackson departed. The veteran back had 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and that first-half fumble. 

For more on how this game unfolded, check out our takeaways below.

Lamar Jackson exits with back injury

The complexion of this game changed when Lamar Jackson exited the game with a back injury. The former league MVP logged a 3-yard rush just after the two-minute warning and was noticeably in discomfort after that. Baltimore ran one more play before calling a timeout with 1:16 to go in the half, and that's when Jackson went to the sideline. The broadcast showed him wincing as trainers initially evaluated him on the sideline before exiting to the locker room, leaving Snoop Huntley to finish out the half. Jackson was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. 

Jackson was 7 of 10 passing for 101 yards to go along with 7 yards rushing before leaving with the injury. 

Stefon Diggs shines in prime time

The catalyst in the comeback for New England can be found in Stefon Diggs. The veteran receiver had been quiet over the past few games, but came alive in Week 16, catching nine of his 10 targets for 138 yards. In those gotta-have-it moments, it was Diggs that Drake Maye was targeting. Most notably, the Patriots kept the offense on the field for a fourth-and-2 situation from the Baltimore 48-yard line and trailing by a field goal. It was at that moment that Maye found Diggs for a 21-yard gain that moved the sticks and put New England on the doorstep of the red zone to either tie the game with a field goal or take the lead with a touchdown. 

Just two plays after that Diggs conversion, Stevenson galloped in for the go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. 

Drake Maye clutch in the fourth quarter

It wasn't a perfect night for Drake Maye, who had two turnovers in the contest. That said, when he needed to turn it on, the second-year quarterback delivered. In the fourth quarter specifically, Maye was masterful, completing 12 of his 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. That score thrust New England back into the contest, uncorking a 37-yard touchdown to Kyle Williams to begin the comeback pursuit and make it a one-score game. 

Maye also did damage with his legs, icing the game with a 16-yard scramble for a first down, where he wisely slid to set up the final knees to run out the clock.

Ill-timed turnovers crushed Baltimore

The Ravens had opportunities to run away with this game at several points, but turnovers helped keep the Patriots within range of a comeback. In the first half, the game was looking like it was going to go sideways after Baltimore's opening touchdown drive and the defense's subsequent interception of Maye. However, Derrick Henry gave the momentum back to New England after fumbling for the first time since Week 3 on a second-down carry from the Patriots' 37-yard line. That helped spark a touchdown drive for New England to get them back in the game. 

After the Patriots clawed back to take a 28-24 lead, the Ravens had an opportunity to drive down the field for a game-winning touchdown of their own. They were north of the two-minute warning and possessed all of their timeouts, so they were armed to spoil the comeback. However, on the first play coming out of the two-minute warning, Zay Flowers had the ball punched out by Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson. 

New England recovered the fumble and erased any chance of Baltimore punching back as they went on to burn the clock. 

Playoff implications

The Patriots have clinched their playoff spot, but still have work to do to secure the AFC East title over the next two weeks. They will visit the New York Jets in Week 17 and host the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season finale in Week 18. As for the Ravens, they saw their playoff dreams take a serious hit with this loss. Baltimore cannot get in as a wild card entry, meaning their only path is via the AFC North title. To leapfrog over the Steelers for the division, the Ravens need to win out, and Pittsburgh needs to lose out. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 11:26 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Patriots mount the 11-point fourth-quarter comeback and clinch a playoff berth in the process. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 11:20 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England is in the driver's seat after the two-minute warning. They gain possession after Zay Flowers fumbles following a reception from Snoop Huntley. K'Lavon Chaisson punched the ball free. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 11:16 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Patriots have surged back and taken a 28-24 lead after Rhamondre Stevenson dashed for a 21-yard touchdown. New England has erased a double-digit deficit. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 11:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Boy, the officials whiffed on that pass interference penalty on Humphrey. He essentially tackled Boutte as the ball came in and somehow no flag was thrown. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:59 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Drake Maye is up to 312 passing yards tonight, which marks the first game of his career with 300-plus passing yards. He's also seeking his first career fourth-quarter comeback. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:55 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

We have a ballgame in Baltimore. After dinking and dunking their way down the field, Drake Maye uncorked a deep ball down the right side of the field and perfectly connected with Kyle Williams for a 37-yard touchdown. After a successful 2-point conversion, it's just a 24-21 lead for the Ravens. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:47 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Baltimore has taken a commanding double-digit lead after Derrick Henry notched his second rushing touchdown of the night. The Ravens cash in on the botched fake punt by the Patriots, and are surviving without Lamar Jackson thanks largely to Henry, who is up to 128 yards on the ground. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:37 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Baltimore Ravens have announced that Lamar Jackson has been downgraded to OUT with a back injury. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:37 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England tried to pull off a fake punt, but it ended in chaos and a turnover. Baltimore now immediately has the ball in Patriots territory. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:34 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England looked dead to rights with a third-and-14 situation, but Drake Maye found Stefon Diggs over the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain to move the sticks. He's now up to 100 yards receiving on the night. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:27 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Baltimore has taken a 17-13 lead after a nifty 18-yard touchdown run by Zay Flowers. The Ravens had everyone fooled on that play design, and Flowers had a fleet of blockers in front of him to get to the end zone. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:24 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

A remarkable reception by the veteran receiver. He has three catches on the night for 33 yards. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:22 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

By view of things, it looks like this will be a successful challenge by Baltimore. Tremendous concentration by Hopkins to reel in the catch and get both feet in bounds. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:15 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England is back on top after Andy Borregales nailed a 41-yard field goal. The drive got a jolt after Rhamondre Stevenson got them in range with a 23-yard catch and run on a short throw from Drake Maye. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:08 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

We're still locked at 10 apiece after Tyler Loop's 56-yard field goal attempt falls just short. It would've been the longest of his NFL career had it gone through. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:03 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

With Lamar Jackson still questionable with a back injury, Tyler Huntley is in at quarterback to begin the second half. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 10:01 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England has downgraded its rookie running back to OUT after initially being ruled QUESTIONABLE.

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:48 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Despite being knotted up at the break, all eyes will be on Lamar Jackson (questionable, back) as we come out of the locker room for the third quarter. If he's unable to go, Snoop Huntley coming in certainly changes the complexion of this contest. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:37 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Baltimore was able to tie the game at 10 apiece after Tyler Loop connected on a 36-yard field goal. However, there is great concern for Lamar Jackson. After coming out before a third-and-long play, the quarterback could be seen heading into the locker room.  

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:35 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Tyler Huntley is in at quarterback for the Ravens after Lamar Jackson is getting looked at on the sideline. The broadcast shows Jackson in discomfort. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:32 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Baltimore may be down at the moment, but they're threatening to either take the lead or tie coming out of the two-minute warning. Part of the reason for that has been the club's success on third down in this first half. The Ravens have moved the chains on four of their five third down opportunities thus far. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:23 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England has taken a 10-7 lead thanks to Andy Borregales nailing a 45-yard field goal. While the Patriots took the lead, it came at a cost as tackle Thayer Mumford suffered an injury. He was filling in at tackle for Morgan Moses, so they are quite thin on the O-line. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:14 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New England is threatening again after Stefon Diggs hauled in a 33-yard catch to put them at the Baltimore 35-yard line. Diggs has been quiet in recent weeks, but is coming alive in Week 16. 

[Dec 21, 2025 at 9:03 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

We're knotted at 7 apiece after the Patriots cash in on the Derrick Henry fumble with a 68-yard touchdown drive. After completing some chunk plays through the air to Mack Hollins and Austin Hooper to New England to the 1-yard line, Drake Maye connected with Hunter Henry for the score.