By Blessing Nweke
The New England Patriots clinched their first playoff berth in four years Sunday night, delivering a dramatic late comeback to beat the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on “Sunday Night Football.”
The win lifted New England to 11-3 and preserved its status as the NFL’s only undefeated road team this season at 7-0. With two games remaining, victories over the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins would secure the Patriots their first AFC East title since 2019.
New England’s playoff-clinching performance came in hostile territory and under pressure. One week after blowing a double-digit lead at home against Buffalo, the Patriots again found themselves trailing late, down 24-13 with 12:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. This time, however, the response was decisive.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye sparked the comeback by hitting Kyle Williams for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 9:01 left, cutting the deficit to four. After the defense forced a stop, Rhamondre Stevenson delivered the go-ahead score, breaking free for a 21-yard touchdown run with 2:07 remaining. Stevenson played an expanded role after starting running back TreVeyon Henderson was sidelined with a head injury.
Baltimore had one final chance to answer, but New England’s defense sealed the outcome. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who replaced former MVP Lamar Jackson after Jackson exited before halftime with a back injury, completed a short pass to Zay Flowers over the middle. As Flowers turned upfield, K’Lavon Chaisson chased him down from behind and forced a fumble that the Patriots recovered, effectively ending the game.
Maye finished with 380 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception in one of his most productive outings of the season. Huntley was efficient in relief, completing nine of 10 passes for 65 yards and guiding two touchdown drives, though Baltimore also missed a field goal on another second-half possession.
The Ravens dropped to 7-8 with two games remaining and fell to 3-6 at home, marking just the third time in franchise history they will finish with a losing record at M&T Bank Stadium.
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