Relive the biggest moments from the Patriots’ Week 16 win.
The New England Patriots are back in the win column thanks to a 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. The victory, which helped New England secure a spot in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2021, was hard-earned and saw the team overcome an 11-point deficit in the early fourth quarter.
Here is a Patriots-centric view at some of the key moments of the game.
Moment No. 1: Here we go again
The Patriots defense couldn’t stop a nose bleed in the second half against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, and things did not start any better against the Ravens. After receiving the opening kickoff, it took Baltimore only five plays to cover 65 yards and find the end zone on a 21-yard untouched Derrick Henry touchdown.
Moment No. 2: Red zone issues revisited
Like the Ravens, the Patriots had some success on their opening possession. However, while they managed to drive into the Baltimore red zone their series found a quick and disappointing end: facing a 3rd-and-14, Drake Maye escaped the pocket to his right only to throw an interception to cornerback Marlon Humphrey with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte in the vicinity.
Moment No. 3: Momentum-changing fumble
After registering just three takeaways in their last six games, New England’s defense was able to get a big one in the late first quarter. While trying to fight for extra yards, Ravens running back Derrick Henry got the ball punched out on a gang tackle by Jaylinn Hawkins and Carlton Davis. Fellow Patriots DB Craig Woodson fell onto the ball for the recovery, preventing Baltimore from potentially going up by multiple scores.
Moment No. 4: Complementary football
The Patriots took full advantage of their fumble recovery, driving down the field in 10 plays to score their first points of the night. Selling a handoff to Rhamondre Stevenson, Drake Maye found Hunter Henry wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Moment No. 5: Opportunity wasted
The Patriots had a chance to get the upper hand at the end of the first half, moving into Andy Borregales’ field goal range for a fourth time. However, just like the first of those opportunities, New England came up empty-handed: Drake Maye was sacked from behind, coughing the ball up in the process. The Ravens fell on the fumble for their second takeaway of the game.
Moment No. 6: Fake gone wrong
Facing a 4th-and-10 down four points in the late third quarter, and with the Ravens down to their backup quarterback, the Patriots decided to make a head-scratching decision. Instead of punting the ball, they ran a fake with personal protector Marte Mapu trying to execute a pass. However, the play was doomed from the start and Mapu eventually unable to salvage it. Seven plays later, the Ravens scored a touchdown to go up 24-13.
Moment No. 7: Big-play rookie
Down 11 points, the Patriots were in dire need of some offensive momentum. They found it in the form of a big touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Kyle Williams. New England’s quarterback hit the rookie down the right sideline for a 36-yard score. While not the most actively-involved member of the team’s wide receiver group, Williams has now caught three touchdowns on the season and is averaging 30 yards per catch. For Maye, meanwhile, the score put him over 300 yards in a game for the first time in his career.
Moment No. 8: Statement drive
When the Patriots took over with 5:02 left in the game, they were still down three points. While that meant a field goal would tie the game, they had their sights set on victory. And a big fourth-down catch by wide receiver Stefon Diggs helped them accomplish that goal.
Diggs’ 21-yard gain on 4th-and-2 proved to be pivotal moment for the Patriots. Instead of potentially giving the ball back to Baltimore in promising field position, they moved deep into Ravens territory with a chance at a go-ahead touchdown. Just two plays later, that is precisely what they got.
The Patriots relied heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson against the Ravens, especially after rookie TreVeyon Henderson was lost to a head injury in the second quarter. Stevenson finished the game with eight carries for 51 yards, and also found the end zone twice: first on a two-point conversion after the Kyle Williams TD, and then on a 21-yard run to put New England up by four just outside the two-minute warning.
Moment No. 9: Game clinched
The Patriots defense collapsed in the second half against Buffalo last Sunday, but they held firm versus the Ravens. Tasked with preserving a four-point lead inside the two-minute warning, the unit delivered: on one of the better hustle plays you will see, K’Lavon Chaisson turned from pass rusher to pursuit player to force a Zay Flowers fumble that was recovered by Marcus Jones, giving the Patriots the ball and a chance to run out the clock.
Category: General Sports
