After failing to bring the Patriots back against the Buffalo Bills in a disappointing loss in week 15, New England was in trouble. The AFC East standings were now very well open to change. Luckily, things turned around for the patriots in the following week.
In an exciting week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Drake Maye addressed the ‘elephant in the room’ which was his ability to lead a fourth quarter comeback.
Oliver Sandifer, a Hingham High school student, admitted that “He was sure the Patriots were going to lose.”
Down 11 with 12:50 to play in the fourth quarter, Maye ultimately brought out 2 scoring drives to pull off an exhilarating victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The final score, 28-24 helped solidify the Patriots playoff hopes.
Maye’s fourth quarter comeback is only even more impressive with the fact that he underperformed throughout the first 3 quarters. With a pick thrown on a third down play from the Ravens 13 yard line in the first quarter, a forced fumble in the second and constantly taken to the ground by the Ravens tough defense, Maye had a rough beginning. Despite additional injuries in the first and second half, Maye pulled the Patriots together and pulled off something great.
This exciting win allows the Patriots to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Furthermore, a finalizing week 17 allowed the Patriots to clinch their first division title since 2019. With a 42-10 blowout against the New York Jets coupled with the Bills 13-12 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots have reached a comfortable division title.
With the Patriots back on top of the division, the Bills run of five straight AFC East titles has been broken.
HHS student Jack Griffiths noted that he “was just happy the patriots were how he remembered them.”
The Patriots will wrap up the season against the Miami Dolphins at home. Right now, Drake Maye might not be on the same level as other top NFL quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, since he doesn’t have any superbowl or playoff wins but he’s quickly getting there. He still has a lot to prove but things are looking his way for the young Patriots Quarterback.
