Patriots wideout Stefon Diggs had nine catches for 138 yards in the win over the Ravens.

Ravens signal caller Lamar Jackson, runs past the outstretched hands of Patriots LB K’Lavon Chaisson.

The New England Patriots are back among the “elite” of the National Football League after their dramatic come-from-behind 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The difficult final years of the Bill Belichick regime and Jerrod Mayo’s challenging 4-13 campaign are now in the past. This season, the Patriots boast a 12-3 record, exciting their fans with renewed hope. The facts are as follows:

Jerrod Mayo was not given the tools needed to lift this franchise. The Patriots’ ownership, for reasons only known to them, stacked up salary-cap money while failing to “pay” for the talent (players) needed to make their team competitive. This is not just my opinion, but that of many knowledgeable people who make their living assessing the National Football League. Against this backdrop, it became clear that changes were necessary for the team’s growth.

The consensus is that Jerrod was not ready to be an NFL coach, and his year following Bill Belichick makes him a negative footnote in Patriots history. Currently, coach Mike Vrabel, also a former Patriot, has been provided the talented roster necessary for success. His six-year coaching stint with the Titans, where he led them to multiple playoff appearances, made him a natural fit for the Patriots. After his dismissal from Tennessee, the Patriots seized the opportunity to hire an experienced coach with a winning record. Vrabel held a 58-45 record and revitalized the team with a focus on restoring “Patriots Pride.” This season, playing a weaker schedule, the Patriots started strong.

A key victory came against the Buffalo Bills, where New England surged to an early lead, only for the Bills to mount a comeback. Quarterback Drake Maye admitted the team relaxed after their big lead. The downward trajectory Continued until the third quarter of the Ravens game in Baltimore. Ravens All-Pro running back Derrick Henry made the Patriots’ defense look “below average” by gaining 128 yards on 17 attempts, and scoring two touchdowns to help lead his team to a double-digit advantage in the third quarter.

Then something “weird” occurred. Ravens coach John Harbaugh decided to put Henry on the bench in favor of “speed” back Keaton Mitchell. This decision is one of the most baffling of this already perplexing NFL season, where double-digit leads disappear like ice cream cones in desert heat. So, it wasn’t too surprising that the Patriots would rally from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win this critical game. The win keeps the Pats in a good playoff position while dropping the Ravens to an 8-9 record and possible elimination from this year’s NFL Playoffs.

This downturn has many Baltimore Ravens fans calling for John Harbaugh to be fired following this “bad” loss. Coach Vrabel, quarterback Maye, and the collective thinking of this team is that “they hung tough while they were down and found a way to win. Wide receivers Stefon Diggs (138 yards receiving on nine catches) and rookie wideout Kyle Williams (two catches for 48 receiving yards, including an acrobatic touchdown reception) played major roles in the team’s comeback rally. Diggs:

“When we were down by 11 points, I just kept telling my teammates that we were going to find a way to win this game — and we did. We also made a statement that we will fight our opponents to the very end of every game.”

What a difference a year makes. This time last season, this Patriots team had made early vacation plans. They now have the chance to make noise in the upcoming NFL Playoffs. Coach Vrabel: “This was a huge team win. ... It was good to be in a game like this where we battled... our guys battled back.” Despite clinching a playoff spot, Vrabel urged his players not to be content. In his postgame speech, he said, “I’m proud to be your coach, but we’ve got a long way to go. I want you to realize what your potential is and what we can do if you just compete and stick together.”

Despite this surge, there are reservations about the team’s chances to go deep in the postseason, even with the possibility of home-field advantage. This young team, with little playoff experience, will be tested by more experienced squads. Much of their Super Bowl aspirations will rest on the play of Drake Maye and their defensive unit. While Maye has performed strongly during the regular season, earning Most Valuable Player votes, he has yet to face the challenge of playoff football.

Additionally, he maintains a reputation for attempting risky passes under pressure. All that considered, Patriots fans should be ecstatic over the team’s successful season and the possibility of a deep playoff run, but realistic about the challenges ahead.