Lead
Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium ended in disappointment for the Baltimore Ravens, who lost their final regular-season home game, 28-24, to the New England Patriots. The Ravens were hampered by a first-half injury to quarterback Lamar Jackson, and New England rookie Drake Maye threw for 380 yards and two touchdowns. An 89-yard final touchdown drive by the Patriots and a late forced fumble on Zay Flowers sealed the outcome. The result leaves Baltimore’s playoff fate hanging heading into a Week 18 trip to Green Bay.
Key Takeaways
- The Patriots beat the Ravens 28-24 in Baltimore; the decisive score came on an 89-yard drive finished by Rhamondre Stevenson’s 21-yard run with 2:07 remaining.
- Drake Maye completed a 380-yard passing night with two touchdown throws; Stefon Diggs led New England with 138 receiving yards.
- Lamar Jackson left the game in the first half and finished with 101 passing yards; backup Tyler Huntley completed 9 of 10 passes for 65 yards after entering.
- Derrick Henry carried the offense, rushing 18 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns but also fumbling earlier in the game.
- Zay Flowers scored an 18-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter but later had a late-game fumble that was returned to a turnover.
- Team stats favored New England in total yards, 453 to 330, and first downs, 24 to 18; time of possession was 31:49 to Baltimore’s 28:11.
- Defensively Baltimore recorded four sacks and forced two turnovers, but the unit could not stop New England’s late drive.
Background
The matchup pitted two AFC teams jockeying for seeding and momentum in the final week of the regular season. Baltimore entered with high expectations at home, relying on a balanced offense centered on Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat play and Derrick Henry’s power running. New England leaned on its developing passing attack under second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who has shown big-play ability through the season.
Injury management and depth have been ongoing themes for the Ravens this year; Jackson has carried a heavy load and his availability is a central factor in Baltimore’s playoff calculations. Conversely, the Patriots have leaned on a rising young passer and an experienced backfield to manufacture drives. The late-season stakes raised the intensity—each play carried playoff implications for both clubs.
Main Event
The game opened with Baltimore taking an early 7-0 lead on a Derrick Henry 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, demonstrating the team’s intent to run the ball. New England answered in the second quarter with a short-yardage touchdown from Hunter Henry and a 45-yard field goal by Andy Borregales to take a 10-7 advantage before Tyler Loop’s 36-yard field goal tied it 10-10 just before halftime.
Jackson exited in the first half with a reported injury after completing 101 passing yards; Tyler Huntley assumed quarterback duties and managed the offense efficiently, going 9-for-10 for 65 yards. In the third quarter Zay Flowers produced an 18-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore a 17-13 edge, and Derrick Henry later plunged in from two yards out early in the fourth for a 24-13 lead.
New England, however, chipped away. Maye connected with Kyle Williams on a 37-yard touchdown pass with 9:01 left to make it 24-21. The Patriots then mounted a decisive 89-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, capped by Rhamondre Stevenson’s 21-yard run with 2:07 remaining, which put New England ahead 28-24. Baltimore’s following possession ended with Zay Flowers losing a forced fumble that ended the comeback attempt.
Key momentum swings included an early Derrick Henry fumble that cost Baltimore a potential 14-0 lead in the first quarter and a critical strip-sack by Ar’Darius Washington late in the second quarter that Dre’Mont Jones recovered, preserving a halftime tie. Despite four sacks and two takeaways on the night, the Ravens could not convert defensive pressure into a win.
Analysis & Implications
The injury to Lamar Jackson altered Baltimore’s game plan and limited its explosive potential. With Jackson out early, the Ravens ran a more conventional, run-focused attack, relying heavily on Derrick Henry’s 18 carries for 128 yards and two scores. Henry’s workload kept the score close, but the offense lost the complementary deep-threat dimension Jackson provides.
Drake Maye’s 380-yard passing performance highlighted New England’s ability to stretch the field and create quick scoring opportunities. Maye targeted Stefon Diggs for 138 yards, and the Patriots’ offense outgained Baltimore by 123 yards overall. That yardage advantage translated into sustained drives and, crucially, the late 89-yard march that decided the game.
Defensively the Ravens showed positives—four sacks and two turnovers forced—but missed plays at critical moments. The late forced fumble on Zay Flowers was the most consequential turnover against Baltimore late in the fourth quarter and directly prevented a potential game-winning drive. Special teams and penalties were not the deciding factors, but New England’s field-goal efficiency and long plays swung expected points in their favor.
From a standings perspective, the loss leaves Baltimore’s playoff chances contingent on Week 18 results. The Ravens travel to Green Bay next; a loss there or a Pittsburgh victory over Cleveland would eliminate Baltimore from postseason contention. The organization now faces two questions: the status of Jackson’s injury and how the coaching staff will adjust playcalling if Jackson’s availability is limited.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Ravens | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 24 | 28 |
| Total Yards | 330 | 453 |
| Time of Possession | 28:11 | 31:49 |
| Third-Downs | 7-of-11 | 4-of-12 |
| First Downs | 18 | 24 |
| Sacks | 4 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
The table underscores a paradox: Baltimore generated more pressure (four sacks) yet yielded more yards and first downs. New England’s explosive passing plays and effective use of chunk gains overcame fewer third-down conversions, while Baltimore’s shorter, run-heavy possessions kept clock control but did not produce enough big plays after Jackson’s exit.
Reactions & Quotes
Head coach reaction and player perspectives framed the emotional tenor after the loss. Coaches emphasized the toughness of the contest and the narrow margins that decided the game; players noted the frustration of a late turnover and an uncertain quarterback status.
“We came up short in the moments that mattered most; that one stings for everybody in the locker room.”
John Harbaugh, Ravens head coach (postgame)
Harbaugh’s comment captured the team’s immediate disappointment and the recognition that small errors had large consequences. The coaching staff must now weigh medical reports and matchup planning for Week 18.
“We battled through some adversity and kept fighting until the end.”
Drake Maye, Patriots quarterback (postgame)
Maye’s remarks reflected the Patriots’ young quarterback seizing a high-leverage moment, delivering a career-high yardage night to lead the comeback. Teammates lauded his composure on the decisive drive.
“Losing Lamar early changed everything; we had to lean on different pieces and we executed in parts but not enough.”
Tyler Huntley, Ravens QB (postgame)
Huntley’s brief reflection noted the adjustment required and the team’s partial success under backup leadership, while also underscoring that the offense could not fully replicate Jackson’s playmaking.
Unconfirmed
- The full medical diagnosis and expected recovery timeline for Lamar Jackson after his first-half injury remain pending official confirmation.
- Whether Zay Flowers’ late fumble was influenced by a specific defensive technique or equipment issue has not been publicly detailed.
- The Ravens’ internal plan for Jackson’s workload if he is cleared to play next week has not been disclosed by the team.
Bottom Line
Baltimore’s 28-24 loss to New England highlighted how quickly fortunes can shift in a primetime game: an early injury to a franchise quarterback, a heavy reliance on a single runner, and a late, sustained opponent drive combined to decide the outcome. Statistically, the Patriots’ 453 total yards and big-play passing night outweighed Baltimore’s defensive pressure and strong rushing day from Derrick Henry.
Looking ahead, the Ravens travel to Lambeau Field for a Week 18 matchup against Green Bay at 8 p.m. on Saturday; the team’s postseason hopes now depend on that result and outcomes elsewhere. The organization must also await clarity on Jackson’s health before finalizing any adjusted game plan for the playoffs push.