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. 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.
