BSJ Game Report: Patriots 28, Ravens 24 - Maye has his moment(s) and defense delivers late

BALTIMORE — You wanted a fourth-quarter, game-winning drive from Drake Maye? You got it. The Patriots were in danger of losing their second straight after a 10-game win streak went by the wayside versus the Bills, but in Baltimore, Maye and company rallied from 11 points down to win, 28-24, and clinch their first playoff berth since the 2021-22 season.

HEADLINES

The Patriots rally after a sloppy three quarters of football to take the game away from the Ravens. It didn't look good, especially after Derrick Henry waltzed in from two yards out early in the fourth quarter. But Maye led back-to-back scoring drives of 73 and 89 yards (MVP moments?) and then K'Lavon Chaisson punched the ball out of Zay Flowers' hands to secure a gritty win.

After looking vulnerable versus pressure in the first half (3 sacks and an interception), Maye stood in the pocket and made one big boy throw after another as the Ravens rush consistently got home in the second half. The second-year QB wasn't just powering through blitzing defensive backs. It was against ends and tackles and linebackers. And aside from getting up slowly once, Maye kept bouncing up to make another play. 

TURNING POINT

It also didn't hurt that Lamar Jackson, a two-time league MVP, left the game late in the first half and did not return. Tyler Huntley did a decent job in his place, but Huntley is a backup for a reason (6-10 lifetime as a starter).

SECOND GUESS

I don't get the fake punt call, especially since the Patriots had set it up in the first half, didn't like the look, and took the delay-of-game penalty. Asking Marte Mapu, the personal protector, to throw it to Jack Westover is suspect to begin with, but then when the Ravens covered it (they had defenders underneath and above Westover), the play had zero chance. At that point, it was a 17-13 Ravens lead, and Huntley was the quarterback. Pin 'em deep and make 'em earn it. Instead, Baltimore got the pball on the plus-side of the 50, overcame a pair of false start penalties, and rammed the ball down the defense's throat to make it a two-score game (24-13) early in the fourth quarter.

THREE UP

Drake Maye had his MVP moment(s). What a performance from the league's potential MVP in the final quarter. He completed 12-of-14 throws for 139 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 14 yards. Not only that, but he repeatedly kept plays alive with his legs and his poise and his guts. Maye finished with his first-ever 300-yard passing game in the NFL (380 total on 31-of-44 passing). Consider yourself fortunate that he's this team's QB.

Stefon Diggs - Earlier in the week, I wrote that it was time for the Pats to ask Diggs to do more, if he was capable. Well, turns out he was. The 32-year-old had a pair of explosive catches in the opening half, which makes me wonder where he was against Buffalo two Sundays ago. He added another explosive in the second half, and also converted a critical 4th and 2 on what turned out to be the game-winning drive. Overall, Diggs finished with over 100 yards receiving for the 4th time this season (9 catches, 138 yards). He's the first Patriot to do that since Rob Gronkowski in 2015.

Kyle Williams is finding himself in this offense. Maye trusted him on a slant, then hooked up on a gorgeous throw-and-catch deep ball for the rookie's third touchdown of the year to bring the Pats within 3, 24-21, in the fourth quarter.

TWO DOWN

Kayshon Boutte - I didn't love the lack of power on the Maye throw in the first quarter, but the wide receiver did not work back to the football on a scramble drill and it resulted in an interception. Can't take points off the board against good(ish) teams. Boutte also got whistled for a ticky-tacky offensive pass interference call.

The wall is broken. Mike Vrabel talks about it often, but starting in Tampa Bay, the Pats' vaunted run defense has been sieve-like. Derrick Henry had the costly fumble, but otherwise, had his way on Sunday night, often attacking the edges and finding plenty of room to roam. It wasn't just him. Zay Flowers zig-zagged his way for an 18-yard score as well. K'Lavon Chaisson, Harold Landry, and Elijah Ponder were victimized, but at first blush, the whole DL was not up to par.

INJURIES

Morgan Moses (knee). Was lost after the first series, going into the locker room in the second quarter. He returned for the final drive of the half.

Joshua Farmer (hamstring) was injured in the first quarter and ruled out.

TreVeyon Henderson stayed on the ground after a one-yard run midway through the 2nd quarter. He suffered a comcussion and was ruled out

Backup RT Thayer Munford (knee) was injured in the second quarter after replacing Moses in the lineup.

Special teamer/backup CB Charles Woods (ankle) was hurt in second quarter.

Khyiris Tonga (foot) was injured in the second quarter. 

TOP PLAYS

REGRETS, I HAVE A FEW (SINATRA, BUT SUNG BY GIARDI)  - THREE TAKES GIARDI WILL PROBABLY HATE (or not)  MOMENTS AFTER HITTING SEND

1. Maye is the MVP. This team would be nowhere near 12 wins without him. In LA, Matthew Stafford has been awesome, and I won't denigrate him here. But Jimmy G could have led that team to the playoffs. Joshua Dobbs isn't doing that here in New England. No chance.

2. This was the best win in Mike Vrabel's first year here in New England. Oh sure, winning in Buffalo in week five was impressive, but when you consider how shorthanded this team was, and what the game meant to Baltimore, and how Denver got beat earlier in the day, to win on the road in primetime was downright emotional. 

3. The Patriots were one of the healthiest teams in the league for the first two months of the season. Now? I can't recall as many guys getting hurt in one half of football. Considering the Pats were already without Milton Williams, Will Campbell and Robert Spillane, it felt like they reached critical mass before halftime. Williams should be back this coming week (he's eligible and said he's feeling good), and boy do they need it. That defensive line is thinner than a runway model.