Rookie RB Records Two 50-Yard Touchdowns, Maye Throws for 270 Yards in 28-23 Victory
TAMPA, FL – Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded for 147 yards and two electrifying touchdown runs—including a 69-yarder with 1:31 remaining—as the New England Patriots extended their winning streak to seven games with a 28-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Henderson became the first Patriots player in franchise history to record two 50-yard touchdown runs in the same game, breaking loose for a 55-yard score in the third quarter and the decisive 69-yarder in the fourth. His 69-yard touchdown is the longest run by a Patriots player since Sedrick Shaw’s 71-yarder in 1998.
“Two explosive plays and then I think Kyle [Williams’] play early – we really needed that one,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said. “That was the one that we were talking about, just needing one play, and he hit it, and it was great to see him have that success.”
The Patriots improved to 8-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 on the road, matching their win total from the previous two seasons combined. Vrabel became just the eighth head coach in NFL history to win his first five road games with a franchise.
Maye Delivers in Clutch Moments
Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, including a 72-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams in the first quarter and a dramatic 1-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on fourth down with two seconds remaining in the first half.
Maye’s 72-yard touchdown to Williams marked his longest career completion and the Patriots’ longest pass play since Mac Jones connected with Kendrick Bourne for 75 yards in 2021. Maye also hit Mack Hollins for a 54-yard gain in the fourth quarter, giving him two 50-yard completions in the same game for the first time in his career.
“Man, it’s gritty – [I’m] just so proud of this team,” Maye said. “Just every week we’re fighting. Some things aren’t going our way. We’re handling adversity, battling adversity. The defense is stepping up. What a complete game.”
Maye has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in five consecutive games and eight times this season.
First Quarter: Buccaneers Strike First
Tampa Bay took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 21-yard touchdown at 11:23 of the first quarter, capping a six-play, 65-yard drive.
The Patriots answered immediately. On their next possession, Maye dropped back and launched a deep ball down the right sideline to Williams, who raced untouched for a 72-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the quarter, tying the game at 7-7.
“It was sensational. I don’t think words could really put an explanation on that feeling,” Williams said. “We got the look that we wanted. Shout out to Drake [Maye] for making an alert on that play… once the ball was in my hands, I [saw] green grass, and then it was bon voyage after that.”
Patriots News:
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Second Quarter: Patriots Take Control
Tampa Bay regained the lead with a 36-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin at 7:16, making it 10-7.
New England responded with a methodical 14-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 7:16 of the clock. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with two seconds remaining in the half, Maye rolled right and found Diggs in the back corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. The Patriots took a 14-10 lead into halftime.
“It was a huge play for us on fourth down, that confidence in our guys,” Vrabel said. “So, to be able to have confidence in them at that moment and then come through, that’s about players and not necessarily plays. I was really excited and proud of ‘Stef’ [Stefon Diggs] and Drake [Maye] for scoring when we were [on fourth down] and being able to end the half with the football in our hands.”
When asked about his aggressive coaching style, Vrabel was emphatic.
“Well, I think that this – anything in life you’re [going] to have to certainly put some chips in the pot to be able to win something,” Vrabel said. “[You] can’t sit around and wait and hope that they just hand it to you. Sometimes you can, but most of the time in life, you have] to be able to risk something to get something in return. So, you can’t win [anything] you don’t put in the middle.”
Third Quarter: Henderson Breaks Loose
Henderson put the Patriots ahead 21-10 just 48 seconds into the second half, bursting through the middle for a 55-yard touchdown run on the second play of the drive.
“Just making my regular reads for that run scheme. The guys up front – they made it easy for me,” Henderson said. “They opened it up really [well]. My biggest thing is to be decisive and hit it once I see it. I thank the guys up front for taking care of the dirty work.”
Tampa Bay answered with an 11-play, 92-yard drive capped by Mayfield’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Trey Johnson at 4:12. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 21-16.
Fourth Quarter: Henderson Seals It
After Tampa Bay pulled within 21-16, Henderson delivered the knockout blow. With 1:31 remaining and the Patriots facing first-and-10 from their own 31-yard line, Henderson took a handoff, cut left, and exploded through a gaping hole for a 69-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 28-16.
“Honestly, I really just thank God. It was a tough game. It was a really tough game, and we knew it was going to be tough going into it,” Henderson said. “I give the credit to my teammates, as well. They fought hard. We all fought hard, and we are a team. I couldn’t have done it without those guys and the guys up front.”
Tampa Bay refused to quit. Mayfield led a seven-play, 65-yard drive in 58 seconds, hitting Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left to cut the deficit to 28-23. But the Buccaneers’ onside kick attempt was recovered by New England, and Maye took a knee to seal the victory.
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Maye’s Resilience After Interception
Maye threw an interception in the fourth quarter that was picked off by Tampa Bay safety Tykee Smith, giving the Buccaneers a chance to mount a comeback. But Maye remained composed.
“I’m not changing my approach. I wouldn’t change the throw,” Maye said. “You want to throw things on the sideline, but guys are watching me, and I think the biggest thing is just to get back out there and to show these guys we’re ready to go for the next play.”
Maye also praised offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for his aggressive play-calling.
“Coach McDaniels – that’s who he is, he’s aggressive. He’s not going to change,” Maye said. “It’s fun to listen on the headset and just hear kind of what his thought process is. He’s the best in the business, and I’m just thankful I get to play for him.”
By the Numbers
- TreVeyon Henderson: 14 carries, 147 yards, 2 TDs (10.5 yards per carry)
- Drake Maye: 16-of-31, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Mack Hollins: 6 receptions, 106 yards
- Stefon Diggs: 6 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
- Kyle Williams: 1 reception, 72 yards, 1 TD
- Baker Mayfield: 28-of-43, 273 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
- Emeka Egbuka: 5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Standouts
Linebacker Jack Gibbens led the Patriots with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defensed. Rookie linebacker Elijah Ponder recorded his first career sack, dropping Mayfield for a 5-yard loss in the fourth quarter.
Safety Tykee Smith intercepted Maye in the fourth quarter, giving Tampa Bay a chance to mount a comeback, but the Patriots’ defense held firm when it mattered most.
Buccaneers’ Frustration
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles was blunt in his postgame assessment.
“There were four [explosive plays] and in obvious situations that we didn’t make. Obviously, we didn’t play it well enough. We definitely didn’t coach it well enough – I definitely didn’t coach it well enough,” Bowles said. “It starts with me, and those things can’t happen if you’re playing against a good team like that, or any team in this league.”
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was equally frustrated.
“[We] just did not execute good enough. [We have] to do all the little things right in critical moments, and we did not do that today,” Mayfield said. “In tight ball games like this, when you play a good team like the Patriots, little things will get you beat. That was the case for us on offense today.”
When asked what the offense was lacking, Mayfield’s response was direct: “Killer instinct.”
Williams’ Breakout Performance
Rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams made the most of his opportunity with other receivers injured, catching his first career touchdown on the 72-yard strike.
“For me, it’s just been a consistent process,” Williams said. “Just because I’m not getting this many plays, or this week I got 10 plays – I’m not gonna shy away from that routine. I’m gonna stay on it, because at some point, I’m going to be needed, and they’re going to depend on me, and I’ve got to be ready, and I was ready this week.”
Historic Winning Streak
The Patriots have now won seven consecutive games, matching their longest winning streak since 2021. They completed a sweep of the NFC South with victories over Carolina, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay.
Vrabel joins an elite group of coaches, becoming the eighth in NFL history to win his first five road games with a franchise and the first since Jim Caldwell with Indianapolis in 2009.
Up Next
The Patriots return home next week looking to extend their winning streak to eight games. Tampa Bay falls to 5-5 and will look to regroup after a heartbreaking loss.
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