Patriots Country

Patriots' Drake Maye Solidifies MVP Frontrunner Spot With Clutch Win

Drake Maye surges into the NFL MVP spotlight after leading the New England Patriots to a clutch time win, boosting his case with late game poise and big play throws.
Jhelum Mehta|
Dec 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New England Patriots halfback Drake Maye (10) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New England Patriots halfback Drake Maye (10) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images | James Lang-Imagn Images

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New England Patriots

The Patriots punched their ticket to the postseason in Week 16 outlasting the Ravens 28–24 in a prime-time gut check. The win didn’t just lock up a playoff spot. It also gave Drake Maye’s MVP buzz another serious boost.

It wasn’t pretty for four full quarters, but when the lights were brightest, Maye flipped the switch. Down double digits in the fourth, the rookie went full closer mode. Completing 12 of his final 14 throws for 139 yards and a touchdown, then icing it with a clutch scramble to move the chains and kill the clock.

That’s franchise-QB stuff.

Drake Maye Torches Ravens for Career-High 111 Air Yards

Drake Maye was coming off his roughest box-score outing of the season after managing just 155 passing yards against the Bills. One week later, he answered that dud with a straight-up statement game.

Against Baltimore, Maye aired it out and flipped the script. Per Next Gen Stats, Drake Maye completed 4 of 5 passes beyond 20 air yards against the Ravens for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown.

Not just that. Maye owns an NFL-best +62.6 EPA on deep attempts this season. A full 20.6 points clear of any Patriots QB from the past decade. That’s rare air.

Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford did his part statistically, torching Seattle for 457 yards and three touchdowns, even though the Rams still came up short. The loss didn’t hurt his tape. However, it did crack the MVP door open just a bit.

And that’s where Maye’s surge matters. On national TV, down 11 points, Maye grabbed the wheel and delivered one of the cleanest late-game drive-management performances of Week 16. That’s the kind of stretch voters remember.

With three weeks left, the math gets tight. Stafford has the friendlier runway with matchups against Atlanta and Arizona, teams already playing out the string. Maye, meanwhile, has to stay scorching hot to keep pace, because every rep now comes with playoff-level scrutiny.

The path is narrow, but it’s still there. Maye gets chances to pad the résumé against the Jets and Dolphins, and if Stafford stumbles even once, this MVP race could get real interesting in a hurry.

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Jhelum Mehta
JHELUM MEHTA

Jhelum Mehta is a writer at On SI. She started her journalism career in 2023, and she has previously worked with EssentiallySports, FandomWire, and PFSN, gaining valuable experience across multiple sports beats. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology, Jhelum brings a thoughtful, people-centric approach to her storytelling. A big admirer of Patrick Mahomes, she draws inspiration from his commanding persona and his unwavering belief that he’s built to conquer every challenge. This mindset often shapes Jhelum's own style and perspective as a writer. When she’s off the desk, you’ll most likely find her lost in a mystery novel, enjoying stories that keep her guessing from start to finish.

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