Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth as Drake Maye Engineers 4th-Quarter TD Drive
Drake Maye Sparks Fourth-Quarter Rally as Patriots Secure Playoff Berth
BALTIMORE — One week after a painful late-game setback, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye turned disappointment into redemption.
Given another chance to lead a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter — this time against the Baltimore Ravens — Maye delivered a defining performance, guiding the Patriots on a nine-play, 89-yard touchdown march to seal a 28–24 road victory and officially punch New England’s ticket to the playoffs.
“Last week was a wake-up call,” Maye said after the game. “I didn’t want that feeling again. When we got the ball this time, I believed we’d finish it.”
Career Night Under Pressure
Maye completed 31 of 44 passes for 380 yards, tossing two touchdowns and one interception while recording the first 300-yard passing game of his NFL career.
Despite heavy pressure — he was hurried on nearly half of his dropbacks in the final quarter — Maye remained composed, completing 86% of his throws in the fourth and averaging almost 10 yards per attempt.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel praised his quarterback’s toughness.
“He took hits, faced pressure, and never flinched,” Vrabel said. “That grit mattered for the entire team.”
The Drive That Changed Everything
Trailing 24–21 with just over five minutes remaining, the Patriots started deep in their own territory at the New England 11-yard line. Maye opened the drive with a 20-yard strike to Mack Hollins, followed by quick connections to Rhamondre Stevenson and Stefon Diggs.
A deep attempt to Kayshon Boutte fell incomplete amid what Patriots players believed should have drawn a pass-interference call, but Maye stayed aggressive. On fourth-and-2, he found Diggs for a pivotal 21-yard gain to keep the drive alive.
“That ball was perfect,” Diggs said. “Drake put it where only I could make a play.”
Moments later, Stevenson capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run just before the two-minute warning.
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Defense Seals the Win
The Patriots defense closed the door on Baltimore’s final possession. Edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson forced a fumble from Zay Flowers, which was recovered by Marcus Jones, allowing New England to kneel out the clock.
“It took everyone,” Maye said. “Trust, belief — when we’re in those moments, I like our chances.”
Bigger Goals Ahead
With the win, the Patriots improved to 12–3 and remained unbeaten on the road at 7–0. Maye also made history, becoming the first starting quarterback since 1950 to lead his team to seven straight road victories within his first two NFL seasons.
While the locker room celebrated New England’s first playoff appearance since 2021, the focus quickly shifted to what’s next. The Patriots close the regular season with games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, with an AFC East title still within reach.
“Clinching the playoffs is great,” Maye said. “But our goal is bigger. We want the division.”