The New England Patriots got back in the win column Sunday night as the bested the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 in order to clinch their first playoff spot since 2021.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing in the defeat.
Winners
QB Drake Maye: It was an up-and-down first-half to start Sunday night for Maye. As he led a second quarter touchdown drive behind back-to-back downfield throws to Mack Hollins and Austin Hooper, Maye dealt with a 45 percent pressure rate which led to two turnovers
(interception, fumble) while in scoring range.
When his team needed him the most, however, the sophomore quarterback turned it on in the fourth quarter as Maye led two straight touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to secure his first career fourth quarter comeback win and 300-yard passing game. In the final quarter, Maye completed 12-of-14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown as he finished the game generating +0.30 EPA/play (80th percentile) and tallying over 400 total yards.
On the first touchdown drive, Maye methodically moved the football down the field before dropping a 37-yard touchdown in the bucket to Kyle Williams in tight coverage. He then kept the go-ahead drive alive with a perfectly placed 4th-and-2 completion to Stefon Diggs.
As Mike Vrabel said postgame, it was a “gritty” effort from the QB as Maye was under pressure on 43 percent of his drop backs and dealt with a rotating cast of personnel groups due to injuries. It was a big-time performance.
WRs Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams: Another primetime game, another 100-yard effort for Stefon Diggs who led pass catchers with nine receptions for 138 yards. Diggs feasted over the middle of the field against Baltimore and got going early with a 25-yard catch through contact on the first drive. He was then on the receiving end of the aforementioned fourth-down pass that went for 21 yards to keep the Patriots eventual go-ahead touchdown drive alive.
As for Williams, the rookie played an elevated role (28 snaps) and made his mark impressively hauling in the over-the-shoulder deep ball touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. The rookie also had a nine-yard reception earlier that drive and threw a lead block to help free Rhamondre Stevenson to find the end zone for the game-winning score. With Kayshon Boutte suffering a head injury, Williams could continue to get more opportunities down the stretch.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: After losing TreVeyon Henderson (head), it was the Stevenson show for the Patriots in the second-half. The back saw just eight carries as they aired it out, but Stevenson rumbled for 51 yards (6.1 YPA) and a 21-yard game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Stevenson then added a first-down run to help ice the game and a 23-yard catch-and-run in addition to continuing make an impact without the football in pass protection.
Losers
Injuries: The Patriots saw eight players — DeMario Douglas (hamstring), Joshua Farmer (hamstring), TreVeyon Henderson (head), Morgan Moses (knee), Thayer Munford Jr. (knee), Khyiris Tonga (foot), Charles Woods (ankle), and Kayshon Boutte (head) — leave the game Sunday night. Just Moses and Munford returned.
The Patriots should get a boost next week with star defensive lineman Milton Williams expected to return from injured reserve, but could be down several other regulars.
Run defense: A reeling run defense was expected to have their hands full against Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. While the Patriots faired somewhat better than recent weeks with a handful of runs tuffs and a forced fumble, Baltimore finished the game with a 48 percent rushing success rate (84th percentile) while Henry ran strong with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries (7.1 yards per attempt).
Honorable mentions
- Mack Hollins had several key grabs to finish the game with seven receptions for 69 yards. Hunter Henry also was a reliable safety blanket with six receptions, 35 yards and a one-yard touchdown.
- While Moses and Munford battled through injuries and New England was still down Will Campbell, a 40-plus percent pressure rate is not a strong performance from the offensive line. There was some room in the ground game in limited action, however.
- Entering the week 20th in takeaways, the Pats defense forced two including a late fourth quarter fumble to help seal the win. With Dell Pettus stopping Zay Flowers’ angle, a great hustle play from K’Lavon Chaisson resulted in a punch out that Marcus Jones recovered.
- Mike Vrabel singled out Anfernee Jennings’ efforts, as the edge rusher was forced to play all over the d-line due to injuries and recorded a sack.
- Christian Gonzalez battled with Flowers throughout the game and the speedy receiver won his fair share of rounds. Gonzalez finished on a strong note, however, with a big tackle on Derrick Henry in the run game and a late pass breakup.
- Andy Borregales was a perfect 2-for-2 with makes from 41 and 45 yards.
- Elsewhere on special teams, New England opted to kick four straight touchbacks after last week’s coverage issues. On the two returns, results were better as Baltimore netted 29 and 20 yards. Meanwhile, the fake punt decision on 4th-and-10 was a puzzling one and the fake failed as Baltimore covered Jack Westover, who released up field as Marte Mapu was designed to pass.
