Ravens – Patriots (24-28): Drake Maye is on fire to destroy the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens (7-8) – New England Patriots (12-3) : 24-28

The Ravens seemed to have done the hard part. Despite Lamar Jackson leaving with a back injury in the second quarter, it was Baltimore who led 24-13 with about ten minutes left in the game. But the Patriots responded like the contenders they now look like. Drake Maye (31/44, 380 yards, 2 TD, 1 int) leads. The junior quarterback broke his own record for rushing yards in a game to lead his team to a major comeback.

New England scored on a 37-yard pass to Kyle Williams (2 rec, 46 yards, 1 TD) followed by a two-point conversion. Enough to return three lengths (21-24). The defense then forced a punt, then Maye resumed his work to lead an 89-yard drive in less than three minutes, this time completed by Rhamondre Stevenson (8 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD) on the ground. Patriots go back in front (24-28).

Then with two minutes left to play, it’s the defense that gets the job done by snatching the ball from Zay Flowers (7 rec, 84 yards).

Tyler Huntley could have been the hero

This win allows the Patriots to officially qualify for the playoffs. Conversely, the Ravens seem to have said goodbye to their last hopes in the latter stages. With two wins behind the Steelers, they now have to win against the Packers and Steelers, hoping Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland in Week 17.

It will be complicated, especially since Lamar Jackson (7/10, 101 yards) is injured again. Twice MVP was kneed in the lower back. He couldn’t continue and let his team equalize (10-10) before the break. Well supported by Derrick Henry (18 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs), Tyler Huntley (9/10, 65 yards) was solid. Enough to put the Ravens up by two touchdowns and eleven points in the second half. But after those hits, the defense gave up and the coaches surprisingly forgot about Henry, who never touched the ball again.

The win is ultimately logical for the Patriots, in a much better dynamic. New England is in contention for first place in the AFC, with a fairly easy schedule to finish the regular seasonagainst planes and dolphins.