Pats Preview Monday: Rookies Come Up Huge in Win at Buccaneers
- Zak Drapeau
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
by Zak Drapeau 11/10/2025 Sportz Nation
What a Win for the Patriots Down in Tampa Bay and in convincing fashion! The 28-23 score line was not a fair representation of the game at with the Patriots leading by a comfortable margin from the 2nd quarter on.
This game saw a lot of the same things we've seen from the Patriots all year long, a defense led by it's ability to stop the run and Drake Maye being the catalyst for a good offensive day.
An unexpected and happy twist this week was the added production from the 2025 rookie class, namely Tre Henderson, Kyle Williams and as always Will Campbell. Henderson had a huge day based around 2 breakoff TD runs of 55 and 69 yards respectively. In total he had 14 carries for 147 yards for 2 TDs in his second start on the year.
WR Kyle Williams also had a huge TD catch for 72 yards in the 1st Quarter that really set the tone for the rest of the game. With the Pats down 7-0, Drake Maye laid a BEAUTIFUL pass to Williams on a crossing route and the rookie proceeded to run 60 yards after the catch for the Pats first score of the day.
After they took a 14-10 lead into the half, the Patriots and the Buccs would have a dogfight in the second stemming from Henderson's 55-yarder to start the half. After the Buccs would answer with their own TD Catch in the 3rd from fellow rookie Tez Johnson, the game would turn to a defensive masterpiece.
The Patriots run defense has been brilliant all year but they would give up 2 "firsts" on the season in the first Running Back to rush for 50 yards in a game and the first time they would allow a team to rush for over 5 yards per carry. Even through the Buccs run game and Baker Mayfield having a typically-elite passing game, the Pats would stall every drive and make the Buccs earn every single point.
The game would come down to an ELECTRIC final two minutes. In the final two minutes:
the Buccaneers would fail on 4th down in the Patriots end zone
Treveyon Henderson would gallop for another 50+ TD
Baker Mayfield would lead another comeback-TD drive
All of this for the game to come down to a great Onside Kick recovery from Stefon Diggs.
This win has kept the Patriots tied for the #1 seed in the AFC and with the Bills collapsing loss to the Dolphins this week, has given the Pats a 2-game lead for the AFC East division.
An upcoming short week will see the Patriots host the Jets on TNF in what SHOULD be the game that extends the Patriots win streak to 8. For a game that has the Patriots favored by 11.5 points, don't be surprised if this turns out to be a trap game.
The Pats will likely win but TNF games have been weird this year and the Jets are on an (albeit very weak) 2 game win streak of their own.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the New England Patriots and the 2025 NFL Season.
-Z.D.