Patriots 26, Ravens 24

 

We're in the playoffs, baby!

Last night, the New England Patriots, one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, finishing 4-13 for the second straight year, came back from a double-digit, fourth quarter deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens 28-24, improve to 12-3 on the season, and clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs.  

The Ravens scored two unanswered touchdown at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters to turn a 13-10 New England lead to a 24-13 score favoring Baltimore. It didn't look good for New England. But then Drake Maye drove the Patriots 73 yards down the field to score a TD and the two-point conversion brought New England back to within two points. The D held the Ravens to 13 yards and six plays on their next drive, and then Maye drove the team 89 yards down the field, including a completed fourth-and-two pass to keep the drive alive, and the Pats scored again. On Baltimore's final possession of the game, New England's K'Lavon Chaisson forced the Ravens' Zay Flowers to fumble, Marcus Jones recovered, and New England won the game, 28-24, clinching their first playoff spot since 2021. 

It was a game of contrasting styles - the Ravens rushed for 171 yards to New England's 79, while New England got 374 yards in the air to the Ravens' 159. Drake "MVP" Maye finished the game with 380 passing yards for two TDs, and leads the NFL in percent completions (70.9); Mac Jones is second with 69.6. Maye also leads the league in yards per attempt (8.7 yards). 

The win wasn't without its costs. TreVeyon Henderson sustained a head injury early in the first half when the back of his head hit the turf at the end of a run, and he had to leave the field. The Patriots ruled him out of the game at halftime and a timetable for his return has not yet been announced. In addition to Henderson, wide receivers DeMario Douglas (hamstring) and Kayshon Boutte (head injury) both left the game, defensive tackles Joshua Farmer (hamstring) and Khyiris Tonga (foot injury) both had to leave, and cornerback Charles Woods left with an ankle injury. Offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Thayer Munford Jr. both sustained knee injuries but were able to return to the game.  

Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson left the game early, too. After sliding late in the second quarter with 1:03 remaining in the half, he left the field in obvious pain and was ruled out for the second half. Best wishes to Jackson and hope that he returns soon healed and healthy.

The Pats have two games left - the woeful Jets (3-12) in New York next week, and then the Dolphins (6-9) in Foxborough. Their rivals for the AFC title, the Denver Broncos, have to face the disappointing but vengeful Chiefs (6-9) in Kansas City and the playoff-hopeful Chargers (11-4) back home.    

Exciting times we're living in, kiddo, Exciting times.