— On Sunday Night Football in Week 16, the New England Patriots edged the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 in a late comeback led by quarterback Drake Maye. Maye threw for the first 300-yard game of his career and engineered two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after New England trailed by 11. Baltimore lost Lamar Jackson to a back injury late in the second quarter, but Derrick Henry totaled 128 rushing yards as the Ravens stayed competitive. The victory moved the Patriots to 12-3 and clinched a playoff berth, keeping home-field advantage in the AFC still in play.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Patriots 28, Ravens 24 — New England secured a postseason spot with the Week 16 win.
- Drake Maye passed for 300+ yards for the first time in his career and led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to complete the comeback.
- Derrick Henry rushed for 128 yards for Baltimore; Lamar Jackson exited late in the second quarter with a back injury.
- Maye committed two turnovers early (an interception to Marlon Humphrey and a late first-half fumble knocked out by Ar’Darius Washington) but rebounded to finish strong.
- Key special-teams and defensive plays swung momentum: Jaylinn Hawkins forced a Henry fumble recovered by Craig Woodson; K’Lavon Chaisson forced a decisive Zay Flowers fumble recovered by Marcus Jones.
- Rookie kicker Andy Borregales converted a 45-yard and a 41-yard field goal in the first half and third quarter, respectively.
- Patriots are 12-3 with two regular-season games remaining and remain in contention for the AFC’s top seed alongside the Denver Broncos.
Background
The Patriots and Ravens have developed a reputation for close, physical games, and Sunday’s meeting followed that pattern. New England entered Week 16 hunting its first postseason berth since 2021, while Baltimore was managing injuries to key players and balancing a run-heavy attack built around Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat skill set. Historically, matchups between these franchises have featured quick scoring swings and late-game drama, putting a premium on turnovers, field position and red-zone execution.
Drake Maye, in his second NFL season, has shown steady growth in season 2025 and came into this game with questions about his late-game pedigree. The Patriots’ offensive line depth was already a focus after prior injuries; Sunday’s game would test that depth further when starting tackle Morgan Moses and backup Thayer Munford both left with injuries. For the Ravens, the reliance on Henry’s power running has been a consistent strategy, but losing Jackson, even temporarily, complicates their play-calling and passing efficiency.
Main Event
Baltimore struck first on a five-play, 65-yard opening drive capped by Derrick Henry’s 21-yard touchdown run; Zay Flowers had several early chunk plays that set up the score. New England answered with a sustained drive later in the first quarter, but an interception by Marlon Humphrey inside the Ravens’ red zone wiped out that possession and left New England scoreless on that trip. The turnover-heavy early sequence left both teams trading possession swings and momentum plays.
Late in the first quarter, Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins forced a fumble on Derrick Henry that Craig Woodson recovered, and the takeaway jump-started New England’s offense. The Patriots methodically drove 68 yards in 10 plays for a goal-line touchdown, with Maye connecting on key third-down throws and finding Hunter Henry in the end zone. That sequence evened the scoreboard and shifted the onus back to Baltimore.
In the second quarter New England suffered multiple injuries at the tackle spot and at running back, but Andy Borregales’ 45-yard field goal converted a stalled red-zone chance and gave the Patriots a slim lead. Baltimore manufactured a late-half drive that resulted in a tying field goal after Lamar Jackson left the game with a back complaint; Tyler Huntley finished the series. New England then drove into Ravens territory before Maye’s fumble — forced by Ar’Darius Washington — ended the half at 10-10.
The second half saw a mix of missed opportunities and momentum swings. A short-lived Patriots three-and-out gave Baltimore field position, but a long Ravens field-goal try fell short after New England’s defense tightened. Baltimore later regained a lead on a Zay Flowers end-around touchdown and extended it when Derrick Henry capped a sustained ground drive in the fourth quarter, making it 24-13 and forcing New England into comeback mode.
Trailing by 11, Maye engineered a rapid, seven-play scoring drive highlighted by a 37-yard touchdown to Kyle Williams; a successful two-point conversion narrowed the gap to 24-21. After a defensive stop, Maye led another late drive starting from his own 11-yard line, converting a critical 4th-and-2 with a 21-yard completion to Stefon Diggs and setting up Rhamondre Stevenson’s 21-yard touchdown run to put the Patriots ahead. K’Lavon Chaisson then forced a Zay Flowers fumble that Marcus Jones recovered, and New England ran out the clock to secure the 28-24 victory.
Analysis & Implications
Maye’s performance underscored a high-ceiling, high-resilience profile: despite two early turnovers, he reached a career milestone (300+ passing yards) and completed his first fourth-quarter comeback. That combination makes him a more credible long-term option for New England’s offense, particularly if the coaching staff can shore up pocket protection and reduce situational miscues. The offensive line injuries, however, remain a short-term concern; losing both a starter and his backup in the same quarter forced reshuffling that could affect pass protection in coming weeks.
From Baltimore’s perspective, Derrick Henry’s 128 rushing yards validated the team’s commitment to a power-run approach when Lamar Jackson is limited. Henry’s late-third and fourth-quarter runs wore down New England and set up scores, but the Ravens’ inability to protect the ball in critical moments — notably the forced fumble at the end — proved decisive. Jackson’s back issue introduces uncertainty for Baltimore’s immediate quarterback plans and could alter their play-calling balance if he misses time.
Playoff implications are immediate and practical. New England clinched a postseason berth at 12-3, restoring a measure of stability to a franchise that had missed the playoffs earlier in the decade. With two regular-season games remaining, the Patriots still control their path to the AFC East title but must navigate injuries and road matchups (MetLife next) to secure home-field advantages. Meanwhile, Denver remains a rival for the top AFC record; tiebreaker scenarios and remaining schedules will determine final seeding, so each remaining game carries amplified weight.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Patriots | Ravens |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 28 | 24 |
| Leading Passer | Drake Maye — 300+ yards (first career 300-yard game) | Tyler Huntley/Lamar Jackson — Jackson exited with back injury |
| Leading Rusher | Rhamondre Stevenson — go-ahead 21-yd TD | Derrick Henry — 128 rushing yards |
| Key Turnovers | Forced fumble (Chaisson) — recovered by Marcus Jones | Fumble recovery of Maye at end of half; earlier Humphrey INT |
The table highlights the central statistical drivers: a breakout passing night for Maye and a dominant rushing effort by Henry. New England’s ability to convert late in the fourth quarter and the defensive takeaway to end the game separated the teams. Special-teams scoring (two Borregales field goals) also contributed to the scoring balance earlier in the contest.
Reactions & Quotes
Maye delivered two late touchdown drives and surpassed 300 passing yards, a performance noted in the team’s postgame release as pivotal to the comeback.
Patriots — Official game recap
Baltimore’s postgame materials emphasized Derrick Henry’s 128-yard effort and noted that Jackson left with a back problem that required further evaluation.
Ravens — Team report (postgame)
League analysts highlighted the impact of turnovers and the Patriots’ late-game execution as the deciding factors in a closely contested Week 16 matchup.
NFL analysis roundup (media)
Unconfirmed
- Lamar Jackson’s exact absence timeline and recovery prognosis remain pending further medical updates from the Ravens medical staff.
- The status of Khyiris Tonga and TreVeyon Henderson after leaving the game has not been fully cleared; official injury designations are awaited.
- Whether Milton Williams will be activated for the next game (he is eligible to return from Injured Reserve this week) depends on procedural moves that the team has not yet announced.
Bottom Line
The Patriots’ 28-24 victory over the Ravens was defined by late-game poise from Drake Maye, a stout closing defensive play by K’Lavon Chaisson and timely offensive plays that erased an 11-point deficit. New England’s clinched playoff berth at 12-3 restores momentum and sets up high-stakes games down the stretch that will determine seeding and home-field advantages.
Key follow-ups to watch: New England’s offensive line health and short-term injury recoveries, Lamar Jackson’s medical evaluation for the Ravens, and how both teams adjust game plans for the remaining regular-season matchups. Those developments will have direct consequences for postseason projections and matchups.