The New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 24-28 on Sunday to seal their return to the playoffs after a three-season absence, while the losing side, depleted for much of the game by the absence of Lamar Jackson, is on the brink of elimination.
The Patriots (12-3) secured one of the American League’s second-place spots, tied with the Denver Broncos (12-3), to whom they will compete in the last two rounds for the conference lead and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
Patriots return to playoffs
The Broncos lost Sunday in Denver 20-34 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who, like the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers, are 11-4, just one win behind the Broncos and Patriots.
On the other hand, the Ravens (7-8) see their chances of making the playoffs reduced to a paltry 11%, according to NFL statistics.
Baltimore would need a miracle to qualify: first, win its next two games – against the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers – and second, have the Steelers also lose to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
In addition, there is still a question as to whether they will be able to count on Lamar Jackson, who left the game in the second quarter after taking a knee to the back from Craig Woodson.
Maye gave a remarkable performance
ice ice🧊 https://t.co/rgFU0WUYt A
– New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2025
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a remarkable game with 31 pass completions out of 44 attempts for 380 yards. Two of those passes ended in touchdowns for his team.
For the Ravens, Jackson departed after completing just 7 of 10 attempts for 101 yards, while his replacement, Tyler Huntley, went 9 of 10 for 65 yards.
Derrick Henry gave the Ravens the lead in the first quarter with a 21-yard run, a lead that Hunter Henry neutralized by catching a touchdown pass from Maye in the red zone.
The score at halftime was 10-10 after each team exchanged a field goal.
The Patriots took the lead with another field goal, but the Ravens responded with two touchdowns – the first by Zay Flowers and the second again by Henry – to take a two-possession lead (24-13) heading into the fourth quarter.
Henry’s came on a series that the Ravens started at the New England 44-yard line after an unsuccessful fake punt attempt by the Patriots, who were starting to play against the clock.
New England cut the deficit with a Kyle Williams touchdown catch on a wonderful 37-yard pass from Maye, completing the two-point play with Rhamondre Stevenson.
The Ravens didn’t even get past midfield and gave the ball back to the Patriots with just over 5 minutes to play.
In a series led by Maye of only 9 plays in 2:55 minutes for 89 yards, Stevenson scored the winning touchdown for the Patriots after a 21-yard run down the right side of the offensive line.
The Ravens still had just over two minutes left to try to win the game, but K’Lavon Chaisson forced a fumble on Flowers that gave the Patriots back the ball and control of the final moments.
Filed under: Patriots return to playoffs
With information from EFE
