Drake Maye showed why he’s an MVP candidate, leading the New England Patriots to a 28-24 come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” and helping his team clinch its first playoff berth since 2021.

Down 24-21 with about five minutes remaining, Maye led the Patriots (12-3) 89 yards in nine plays for the go-ahead score, a 21-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Ravens got the ball back just before the two-minute warning, but on the second play, New England edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson forced a fumble of Zay Flowers that defensive back Marcus Jones recovered. Maye and the Patriots then ran out the clock for the victory.

Maye, the 23-year-old, second-year quarterback who has led New England’s on-field turnaround this season, posted the first 300-yard passing game of his career, going 31-for-44 for 380 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His main target was veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, who totaled nine receptions for 138 yards.

The Ravens (7-8) nearly overcame the loss of star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who left the game late in the second quarter after appearing to take a Craig Woodson knee to his back during a 3-yard run. He was later ruled out. Tyler Huntley replaced him and was a solid 9-for-10 passing for 65 yards in his stead.

But the Ravens could have won this game because of their dominance in the trenches. For most of the first three quarters Sunday night, Baltimore bullied New England on both lines of scrimmage. Derrick Henry ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and Flowers added another score on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Patriots largely struggled to run the ball, especially after losing rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson to a head injury in the second quarter.

But thanks to their comeback win, the Patriots will win the AFC East with victories over the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the Ravens still have a slight chance of reaching the postseason, but they’ll need help to top the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North crown.

Pats in pole position for playoffs

The Patriots are in the driver’s seat to win the AFC East.

By knocking off the Ravens, their chances of winning the division improved from 73 percent to 81 percent, according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator. Their 12-3 record puts them one game ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the standings, and they also hold the tiebreaker.

So it would take a bit of a collapse for the Patriots not to end the Bills’ five-year run atop the division.

The Patriots close the season with games against the Jets and Dolphins, while the Bills face the Philadelphia Eagles and Jets. — Chad Graff, Patriots beat writer

Not playing like a playoff team

Despite the victory on Sunday, it’s going to be hard for the Patriots to win in January if they play like this.

In short, they struggled to run the ball and to stop the run. That’s rarely a recipe for January success.

On Sunday night, their recent strides in the running game hit the brakes after Henderson suffered a head injury. But even he had managed only 3 yards on five carries before leaving the game. In total, the Patriots finished with 79 rushing yards on 23 carries (3.4 yards per carry) as they were forced once again to move the ball through the air.

Meanwhile, the Ravens ran all over a Patriots defense that entered the game ranked 22nd in success rate against them. Even with Jackson sidelined for most of the game due to a back injury, Henry still ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

The Patriots had a ton of success through the air, and their defensive numbers against the pass this season are pretty good. But it’s going to be tough to win in the playoffs if they can’t run the ball or stop the run. — Graff

Ravens’ season on the brink

Blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead is a fitting way for the Ravens’ playoff hopes to largely go out the window.

Even with Jackson sidelined, things were going so well for the Ravens. Huntley was taking care of the football. The Ravens were controlling the game on the ground. Their defense stabilized in the second half, and their special teams made a big play. They led 24-13 with just under 13 minutes to play when Henry rumbled in for a 2-yard touchdown.

But this is the Ravens, and no lead is ever safe.

Sure enough, Maye led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, and the Ravens blew another significant late lead. Their season started in Week 1 in Buffalo, where they squandered a late 15-point lead. Their season didn’t officially end Sunday night, but they need a miracle now to make the playoffs. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer

So you’re saying there’s a chance …

The Ravens’ playoff hopes now hinge on them winning out and the Steelers losing next Sunday to the 3-12 Cleveland Browns.

Just as the Ravens were walking off the field following their final warmups, the Steelers thwarted a final Detroit Lions rally. The Ravens needed to beat the Patriots to stay within a game of the Steelers and maintain realistic playoff hopes. They couldn’t get it done, losing their franchise-record sixth home game of the season.

Now, for Baltimore’s Week 18 game in Pittsburgh to mean anything, the Ravens need to beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, potentially without Jackson, and need the Steelers to lose to the Browns on Sunday. — Zrebiec

Injuries piling up for Patriots

Eight different Patriots — five of them starters — suffered injuries Sunday, including four who were ruled out of the game.

Chief among them was Henderson, who exited in the second quarter with a head injury and didn’t return. He ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns last week and was the main reason the Patriots’ running game had improved in recent weeks. Without Henderson, the team’s struggles on the ground continued (though a late flourish from Stevenson left him with 51 yards on eight carries).

Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (hamstring) and defensive back Charles Woods (ankle) joined Henderson in being ruled out.

Additionally, starting right tackle Morgan Moses suffered a knee injury, backup right tackle Thayer Munford left with a knee injury of his own, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte sustained a head injury and fellow wideout DeMario Douglas went down with a hamstring injury. Only Moses returned to play. Linebacker and leading tackler Robert Spillane also didn’t play due to a foot injury.

New England could use some good news on the injury front, and it may come soon. Defensive tackle Milton Williams is eligible to be activated off injured reserve this week, and left tackle Will Campbell is eligible to play in Week 18. — Graff