The Patriots secured a playoff spot and lead the AFC East with a 28-24 win over the Ravens on Dec. 21, 2025.

The New England Patriots clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2021 with a 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on December 21, 2025, rallying behind quarterback Drake Maye. The team, now 12-3, shifted focus from merely qualifying to winning the AFC East, with a magic number of two to secure the division. They lead the Buffalo Bills in the race and hold the No. 2 seed in the AFC, setting up a potential first-round matchup with the Houston Texans. The Patriots remain tied with Denver for the best record in the AFC and NFL, though the Broncos hold the tiebreaker.