The Patriots needed nearly all 60 minutes to pull out a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but contributions from their rookies helped deliver the victory with a trio of big scoring plays that proved to be the difference.
TreVeyon Henderson had touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards while fellow rookie Kyle Williams scored his first career touchdown on a 72-yard catch-and-run. Quarterback Drake Maye threw two touchdowns on a day that the Tampa defense brought consistent pressure and forced a key interception of Maye late in the game that gave Baker Mayfield a chance to orchestrate a comeback.
But the Patriots defense stepped up in the clutch, getting a key last stop that set up Henderson’s second score, while the special teams, led by Stefon Diggs, recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
It was a quality win against a quality opponent for the Patriots, who extended their win streak to eight games and now stand alone atop the AFC East. Here’s how it went down!
The Patriots defense has made a habit of struggling in the first quarter, and that habit continued in this game, as Mayfield and the Bucs quickly scored the first touchdown of the game after receiving the opening kickoff. It took just six plays to go 65 yards, while a blown coverage allowed an easy score from 21 yards out to Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka also had a 24-yard catch and run earlier in the drive as the Bucs best wide receiver got off to a hot start and helped Tampa open an early 7-0 lead.
The Patriots offense couldn’t respond on their first drive, needing to go for a 4th-and-1 from their own 43-yard line to avoid a three-and-out. Terrell Jennings got the fourth-down conversion, but the drive would go no further due to three-straight incompletions from Maye.
2. Pats Defense Stiffens, Offense Stays Stagnant
New England’s defense stiffened on the Bucs second offensive drive, forcing their first punt of the game thanks to good coverage by Christian Gonzalez on third down. Jack Gibbens nearly made two game-changing plays before the punt, narrowly missing a sack on Mayfield and then having a second-down throw bounce off his hands that could’ve been intercepted.
Maye and the Patriots offense couldn’t find their stride, however, as the second-year quarterback opened the game going 2-for-7 for 19 yards. TreVeyon Henderson converted a 3rd-and-10 on a nice toss play, but it was not enough to jumpstart the attack. The Patriots punted for a second time in two possessions, but their defense stayed stout, forcing a second-straight punt of their own.
3. Kyle Williams Explodes for First TD