PostGame Thread OFFICIAL 2025 Week 16 Postgame Thread: Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth with 28-24 win over Ravens

[PatsFanInVa]

Absolutely correct.. all teams need depth, Back ups.. beyond starting level players no team has tremendous depth.. I say this team is the most impressive 12 win team becuase they are doing it as a team by attrition, attitude, mentality and along with the elite QB play and coaching..

yeah you have to love those years where you're like "OMG, we have Name Name Name Name Name give us the ring right now, save everybody some tsurris." But you really have to love when you realize that yes, you want your most talented guy on the field, but being part of this specific organization carries with it expectation of wins anyway when you're on the 2nd or 3rd team.

 

[aluminum seats]

All the guy does is produce when called on.

You were leading the 'Too much Mack Hollins' charge in the GDT last night.

He has a huge catch radius, good hands, and can get open. He's also 33 and slow. I think that's good enough to be a 3rd or 4th option on any team, and sometimes, it's more than that, depending on coverages. He ends up on safeties and linebackers quite a bit, it's the best matchup on the field when that happens (other than Diggs vs. Anyone).

No "charge" brother, it's talking about the Pats during a good game. Agreed that he's a good 3rd or 4th option on this Pats team.

The (incredibly mild) observation I made is that a week after he had twice as many targets as anybody else, in a game where the Pats offense stalled, followed up a slightly shaky start for Maye last night, was that maybe we don't want him to have that prominent a role.

I love the guy and at the end of the day whatever the Pats do that ends up winning a title is great by me.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

Dogshit quality, but here.

Agreed on it not being as bad as the Colts play but it’s hard telling what the plan was here. It got blown up immediately

 

[Real fan 02]

Agree-- I just think they want to make sure they don't get hit for long ones.

It's smart.

You just have to stop Derrick Henry at that point and you win the game.

I confess to having little fifth in our DC.

We came out with 6 down linemen.

Of course you're going to get hit at that point because although Lamar is very down, he can still make throws.

I thought we'd have one extra DT down there. Not 2 or 3.

Thankfully Vrabel went away from that quick once it was clear the Ravens were going to eat us alive with their TEs and Flowers.

Agreed here.

When farmer and Tonga went out Vrabel was now pressed into a situation where he had to change it up. On the DC kurh is the LBs coaching calling plays for the first time this season. DC- Williams we saw earlier in the season is more aggressive and keeps pressure on QB by relentlessly blitzing..

Kurh plays it safe.. so I've come around on the criticism of ths defensive side of the ball because missing two huge pieces at LB who sets the defense up and Williams who's an interior disruptor are huge losses.

 

[aluminum seats]

Agreed on it not being as bad as the Colts play but it’s hard telling what the plan was here. It got blown up immediately

Such a weird choice to do it, and the play was just baffling. Would love to know what they were thinking

 

[TommyD4207]

Agreed on it not being as bad as the Colts play but it’s hard telling what the plan was here. It got blown up immediately

There was a receiver on the left side that did get open, but Mapu didn't pull the trigger. It *might* have been a first down if it was an accurate throw.

I feel like Baringer was trailing the play as a pitch man, not so he'd run, but so he could punt...weird Mapu didn't pull that trigger either.

I actually kinda love the play design, but dear god, not Mapu as the trigger guy.

 

[jdlboot14]

Still just floating this morning because of the final result. A few big milestones for a franchise that hasn't had this kind of win in a long time. No one ever has to say "it wasn't perfect", because every team in the NFL had some ugly wins & losses this week. The Ravens are always going to fight, they're not garbage (even with Huntley, who was about as productive as Lamar was). Pats weren't great in big stretches, or important areas, BUT>>>
The were clutch - for the first time in years. And that's something worth celebrating.

 

[Real fan 02]

yeah you have to love those years where you're like "OMG, we have Name Name Name Name Name give us the ring right now, save everybody some tsurris." But you really have to love when you realize that yes, you want your most talented guy on the field, but being part of this specific organization carries with it expectation of wins anyway when you're on the 2nd or 3rd team.

Yes!!!! Perfect description. Also if you put the statistics up defensively we are right up there with Denver and Houston.. and those teams have the names on defense.

It's just so dam gratifying to have them back in the playoffs.. and I'll say this.. the number 1 overall seed is realistically in play.. after losing last week..they have to be pissed seeing Buffalo struggle to beat the browns.. a defensive that Drake dropped what 30 plus points on..

 

[PatsFan2]

There was a receiver on the left side that did get open, but Mapu didn't pull the trigger. It *might* have been a first down if it was an accurate throw.

I feel like Baringer was trailing the play as a pitch man, not so he'd run, but so he could punt...weird Mapu didn't pull that trigger either.

I actually kinda love the play design, but dear god, not Mapu as the trigger guy.

Marte Mapu's risk tolerance Dillon Gabriel's level??

 

[Real fan 02]

Maye is a great kid. I would ignore the "yeah but crowd". There will always be cranky old guys that complain.

Absolutely.. thought it was pretty comical that Williams was being propped up over him.. I'm not impressed with Caleb Williams.. JMO..

 

[Sciz]

There was a receiver on the left side that did get open, but Mapu didn't pull the trigger. It *might* have been a first down if it was an accurate throw.

I feel like Baringer was trailing the play as a pitch man, not so he'd run, but so he could punt...weird Mapu didn't pull that trigger either.

I actually kinda love the play design, but dear god, not Mapu as the trigger guy.

Mapu at least played QB in high school. That’s the first thing you’re looking for when picking a guy to do that.

I’m not sure who else has QB experience, but it’s not going to be a long list especially for bigger guys. The first lefty Kyle Williams throw is going to be exciting, but that’s obviously not going to come from a punt formation.

 

[upstater1]

There was a receiver on the left side that did get open, but Mapu didn't pull the trigger. It *might* have been a first down if it was an accurate throw.

I feel like Baringer was trailing the play as a pitch man, not so he'd run, but so he could punt...weird Mapu didn't pull that trigger either.

I actually kinda love the play design, but dear god, not Mapu as the trigger guy.

I thought that receiver was covered by 2 guys.

The worst thing that can happen there is not Mapu getting tackled behind the line to gain.

The worst is Mapu throwing the ball for a pick 6.

 

[BobDigital]

Thoughts.

1 That Baltimore D is for real. Not Denver or Houston, but since week 5 or so they have been elite. The Pats offense proved it can score on anyone. With a number of guys not able to contribute.

2 Williams - I said in the game thread without Henderson, Williams would need to make a play as he was the only other player like that who can hit the home one in a single play. And he did.

Williams got targeted 3 times, i think he ran all 3 routes well. They were a simple tree... but it is something to build off of. I stand by if they want to win, Williams needs to make a number of players in the playoffs. Just like Henderson needs to. They need to get some EZ money... Those guys can do it. Williams while slow going we are seeing steady progression. First nine games 6 targets 2 catches 20 yards. Last 6 games... 5 catches 10 targets 179 yards 3 TDs. That still isn't amazing production... less than 1 catch a guy... but these seems to be proof he is trending in the right direction. This was also his first game with 2 catches. A first for him.

What is the goal for Williams from here on out? He needs to get 1 catch a game. Not average one... get one. He should not have a 0 by his name again this year. Now we need some game to game consistency. That is the next step. Sadly we are running up of time... 2 games to get things on track. then hopefully we continue to build on it in the playoffs. If the Pats want a chance to win it all Williams needs to have some big time catches during their run among other things. I stand by now.. it is now looking more likely.

3 injuries.... Baltimore plays a little dirty, always have. It is part of the reason i hate this club. Their next game being vs the Jets and not Dolphins is fortunate. But they are looking like they will need a week off AGAIN before the playoffs. The bye becomes more important. if they win next week and Denver does too, i'm curious how they will play week 18. A lot will depend on when Denver plays... if LAC have something to play for... ect...

4 What happened to our elite run D. Even when we had Tonga in it wasn't elite or close to it. They will need to force teams to be 1 dimensional come playoff time a bit more. This is part health but also just being disciplined.

5 Without Milton Williams in the middle it is amazing how ineffective the pass rush is. Also how the run D just gets worse.

6 Maye with a big boy 4th QTR. Nothing else to say there.

7 Refs... 2 weeks in a row with us... We aren't the only team dealing with nonsense, but these were some particularly bad calls that worked against us. Hopefully the calls balance out come playoff time.

8 Henry needs to be more consistent. Come on man... you're a vet. You don't need to make 50 yard plays, but be a reliable security blanket... these last few games he has had some big drops.

9 I don't think anyone on D put in a good consistent 60 minutes tonight. There were good plays at times... but no one felt like they deserve a special shout out... the closest would be combined safety play of Hawkins/Woodson. Everyone else felt like a mixed bag tonight.

10 Fake punt call.... so bad.

11 Like how the offense looked late. Maye in a hurry up worked. Josh was hopefully taking notes.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Absolutely.. thought it was pretty comical that Williams was being propped up over him.. I'm not impressed with Caleb Williams.. JMO..

Williams and Daniels will never be great. Maye just has to learn to take the short pass for a 1st down when needed.

 

[jdlboot14]

Despite the state of these teams, credit must be given to the Pats for winning on the road in these places:
MIA, BUF, TAM, CIN, BAL

These were all games I was assuming we'd lose before the season started. Quite impressive.

 

[Ring 6]

It should not be scraped you can't set up big plays with out the small quick routes

Not really. Throwing 2 yard outs in first down does nobody any good.

 

[Real fan 02]

Marte Mapu's risk tolerance Dillon Gabriel's level??

Marty was supposed to be our answer for TEs and QBs spy now he's relegated to fake punts..

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Absolutely.. thought it was pretty comical that Williams was being propped up over him.. I'm not impressed with Caleb Williams.. JMO..

Both can be good.
Williams was easily the higher rated prospect, are you really going to tell us you watched enough NC games to think Maye was a better prospect?
I’m glad Maye is our QB, and I never wanted Williams due to his drama, but let’s not pretend Williams wasn’t the higher rated prospect.
Williams needs to work on his accuracy and consistency, but he looks like he has a bright future.

 

[PatsFan2]

Marty was supposed to be our answer for TEs and QBs spy now he's relegated to fake punts..

We passed on TE Tucker Kraft for that Bum thanks again can't Draft BB.

 

[Real fan 02]

Williams and Daniels will never be great. Maye just has to learn to take the short pass for a 1st down when needed.

Agreed here.. I think he's knows that..but he has that playmaker mentality and JMD doesn't want to take that trait away from his game.. actually he did quite a few a times yesterday.. Diggs, Hollins, Henry.. he hit them with short passes..and another thing..all the names the Ravens have on defense.. we torched them..