SportsLine expert Mike Tierney has revealed his picks for the New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens in the Week 16 NFL matchup on 'Sunday Night Football.
The New England Patriots are back in the NFL playoffs.
This time, they return with a calm young quarterback and a confident new head coach.
On Sunday night, Drake Maye led a stunning fourth-quarter comeback.
New England erased an 11-point deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens 28-24.
The win clinched a postseason berth and crushed Baltimore’s fading playoff hopes.
Maye Delivers in the Biggest Moment
Drake Maye played his most complete game of the season.
He threw for a career-high 380 yards and two touchdowns.
More importantly, he was flawless when pressure peaked.
Down 24-13 late in the fourth quarter, Maye took control.
He fired a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams.
A sharp two-point conversion to Rhamondre Stevenson followed.
The score trimmed the deficit to three with 9:01 remaining.
Patriots Finish the Job
New England’s defense stepped up next.
The Patriots forced a quick Ravens punt.
That set the stage for a decisive drive.
Maye guided an 89-yard march down the field.
Baltimore’s pass rush finally showed life.
Still, Maye stayed poised and decisive.
The winning score came on the ground.
Stevenson burst through the line for a 21-yard touchdown run.
Only 2:07 remained on the clock.
Patriots Lead the AFC East Race
The victory kept New England atop the AFC East.
The Patriots remain one game ahead of Buffalo.
That edge held despite last week’s loss to the Bills.
Head coach Mike Vrabel praised his players afterward.
“We’re going to try to win the division,” Vrabel said.
“When we win, it’s because of them.”
New England improved to 7-0 on the road this season.
It marks a perfect road record in Vrabel’s first year.
Drake Maye’s Growth Shapes the Season
Seven years after Tom Brady’s final Super Bowl run, the Patriots have a new leader.
Maye is only in his second NFL season.
Yet he already looks unshaken in prime time moments.
In the final quarter, Maye completed 12 of 14 passes.
He threw for 139 yards under constant pressure.
His late execution strengthened his growing MVP case.
“It was a wake-up call,” Maye said.
“We didn’t want that feeling two weeks in a row.”
Ravens’ Playoff Hopes Fade
The loss dealt a major blow to Baltimore’s season.
The Ravens fell to 7-8 with two games remaining.
They now trail AFC North leader Pittsburgh by two games.
Baltimore’s path to the division is slim.
They must win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
They also need the Steelers to lose to Cleveland.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh accepted responsibility.
“We didn’t do the winning things,” he said.
Injuries Shift the Game
Baltimore’s night changed early.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson left in the second quarter.
He exited with a back injury and did not return.
Backup Tyler Huntley sparked a brief rally.
Zay Flowers scored on an 18-yard end-around.
Baltimore later stretched the lead to 24-13.
Then came another collapse.
Star runner Derrick Henry did not touch the ball again.
That decision puzzled fans and analysts alike.
Costly Mistakes Seal Baltimore’s Fate
Baltimore’s final drive ended in disaster.
Flowers fumbled, ending any comeback hopes.
It capped another painful fourth-quarter collapse at home.
The Ravens are now 0-3 at home in prime time this season.
They finished 3-6 at home, their worst mark ever.
Patriots Overcome Key Injuries
New England faced its own challenges.
Rookie running back Tre’Veyon Henderson exited with a head injury.
Several defenders also left with lower-body injuries.
Despite setbacks, the Patriots stayed composed.
Their balance and discipline proved decisive.
A Familiar Feeling in New England
The Patriots are playoff-bound once again.
They have a quarterback who stays calm late.
They have a coach who wants more.
For the rest of the NFL, the break was brief.
New England is back — and the timing feels familiar.
