BALTIMORE — It was as if officials were working against the Patriots in their bid for a fourth-quarter comeback Sunday against the Ravens.
Quarterback Drake Maye uncorked a 50+ yard bomb to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on first-and-10 from the Patriots’ 44-yard line with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter while trailing 24-21. Boutte was getting dragged down by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey while the ball was still in the air, yet there was no flag from officials for defensive pass interference. Boutte dropped the pass after hitting his head off the turf, and Humphrey didn’t bring in the ball.
So, did Vrabel get an explanation on the non-call?
“No, here’s what the explanation I got: ‘You have to survive the ground.’ So I’m very aware of the catch rule, but that’s all I got,” Vrabel said.
The Patriots were able to complete the drive for a touchdown and win despite the non-call. Had Humphries intercepted the pass, and if officials still didn’t throw a flag, it would have been an even more frustrating non-call for the Patriots.
Maye made sure that wasn’t the case with his first-career fourth-quarter comeback.