A performance of a rising star
Drake Maye delivered the best outing of his young NFL career with 380 passing yards and two touchdowns. He showed composure in key moments, firing a 37-yard touchdown and adding a two-point conversion that kept the team alive.
#Patriots QB Drake Maye on making playoffs:
“That was one of the goals. Win the division–that’s still kind of what we’re fighting for. It’s awesome to clinch the playoffs, but we want to win the division.”
(🎥: @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/cZ3gbc3pZV
— New England Sports Fellow (@_JosephManning) December 22, 2025
The comeback included a clutch fourth-down pass to Stefon Diggs and a 16-yard scramble that sealed the victory. With that, Drake Maye recorded his first 300-yard game and his first fourth-quarter comeback at the pro level.
A team that believes
Drake Maye not only raised the level of play, he also boosted locker room confidence after the collapse against Buffalo. The win over Baltimore proved the Patriots can compete with playoff-caliber opponents.
According to Essentiallysports, Maye’s message was echoed by head coach Mike Vrabel, who stressed that the immediate target is the AFC East crown.
The division challenge
Drake Maye knows the road won’t be easy. The Bills trail close behind at 11-4, keeping the race alive. Still, the Patriots control their destiny: a win over the Jets and a Buffalo loss would secure the division.
Drake Maye’s words and Vrabel’s stance show the team isn’t satisfied with just returning to the postseason. The bar is higher, and the quarterback wants everyone to understand that.
More than just a participant
Drake Maye has changed the Patriots’ narrative. This is no longer a team celebrating a playoff berth. It’s a franchise that now sees itself as a contender. The immediate future depends on maintaining intensity and on Maye continuing to prove he’s ready to lead at the highest level.
