In their first season with Mike Vrabel patrolling the sidelines, the New England Patriots are back in the playoffs.
With their 28-24 come-from-behind win on Sunday night against the host Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots have clinched their first trip to the playoffs since 2021.
Piloted by Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots (12-3) have quickly reversed course from Maye's rookie campaign in which New England finished last with a 4-13 record under head coach Jerod Mayo.
"That was one of the goals," Maye said of what it means to clinch a playoff berth, though he made sure to keep his eyes beyond simply securing a spot. "We want to win the division, and that's still what we're fighting for. It's awesome to clinch the playoffs, but we want to win the division."
When last the Patriots ventured to the postseason, they were guided by Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones.
Now, it's another first-round QB in Maye and Vrabel who have led the Pats from a last-place finish a year ago to the brink of the franchise's first AFC East title since 2019.
New England bounced back Sunday night after a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills snapped its 10-game winning streak.
Two games remain for the Patriots to wrap up a division crown, beginning with a Week 17 game at the New York Jets and then the regular-season finale against the visiting Miami Dolphins.
