**TAMPA, Fla.** – Mike Vrabel greeted his players with a handshake and a statement: “NFC South champs!”
TreVeyon Henderson electrified the crowd with touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards, while Drake Maye threw two touchdown passes, leading the New England Patriots to a 28-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The win secured the Patriots their seventh straight victory.
Vrabel, in his first year coaching the team where he won Super Bowls as a player, has the Patriots (8-2) firmly atop the AFC East after a dismal 4-13 performance last season. With this win, the Patriots completed a four-game sweep of the NFC South against the Buccaneers, who have dominated the division for the past four years.
“It’s not always perfect but I love the way they compete,” Vrabel said. “It was a long game. It’s a tough place to play. It was a warm day and they’re good.”
After Maye threw an interception in the end zone, the Patriots made a crucial stop on fourth-and-3 at their own 27-yard line. Henderson then sealed the game with a stunning 69-yard touchdown run. The rookie finished with a career-high 147 rushing yards on 14 carries.
“Honestly, it felt good,” Henderson said. “This season comes with a lot of ups and downs in the NFL, but I thank God for the way He’s allowed it to go because He’s matured me a lot in my faith. He drew me closer to Him. I’ve been trying to trust the process, be present in the moment, and during game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, try my best to take advantage of it.”
The Buccaneers (6-3) made history by becoming the first NFL team to have each of their first four wins of the season come on a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation. They had a chance to do it again after Tykee Smith intercepted Maye’s pass from the 2-yard line in the end zone with 5:17 remaining.
However, on a critical fourth down, Baker Mayfield was swarmed by the Patriots’ defense and his pass to Rachaad White fell short of the first down just outside the red zone. Mayfield managed to throw his second touchdown pass of the game to Tez Johnson in the final minute, but New England recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the win.
“We didn’t play well. We have to take it on the chin. Give Vrabel and the Patriots a lot of credit,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “They did a heck of a job doing what they needed to do. Their players made plays, ours did not. We’ve got to coach it better, we’ve got to play it better, and that starts with me.”
Henderson’s 55-yard touchdown run up the middle on the second play of the second half extended New England’s lead to 21-10. Mayfield scrambled out of pressure and connected with Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 21-16 in the third quarter. Tampa Bay then attempted a version of the “Philly Special” on the two-point conversion, but the Patriots were prepared, stopping Emeka Egbuka on a run.
New England first took the lead at 14-10 on Maye’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on the final play of the first half. After the Buccaneers stuffed three consecutive runs from the 1-yard line, Maye delivered a perfect pass to Diggs in the corner of the end zone. Diggs made an excellent catch over Antoine Winfield Jr., securing the ball with both feet inbounds.
Maye earlier hit Kyle Williams on a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown to tie the game at 7 on the final play of the first quarter — New England’s longest play of the season.
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with Mayfield connecting to Egbuka on a 21-yard touchdown pass on their opening drive, followed by a 36-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin to extend their lead to 10-7.
**Chunk plays and big moments**
The Patriots capitalized with three touchdowns of 50-plus yards, including a 54-yard pass from Maye to Mack Hollins, which took them to the Bucs’ 8-yard line on a key third-and-14 conversion in the fourth quarter.
“They were inexcusable on our part. Bad on the coaching, bad on the players,” Bowles admitted.
**Brady Bowl**
This game marked the first matchup between the Patriots and Buccaneers since Tom Brady’s retirement. Interestingly, more No. 12 Patriots jerseys were seen in the stands than No. 12 Buccaneers jerseys. Brady led New England to six Super Bowl titles during his 20 seasons with the team and won one with Tampa Bay in three seasons.
**Injuries**
*Patriots:* Defensive tackle Christian Barmore suffered a back injury in the fourth quarter. Running back Terrell Jennings (knee) did not return after halftime. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip) did not play.
*Buccaneers:* Left guard Ben Bredeson left early with a hamstring injury. Running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), wide receivers Chris Godwin (fibula) and Mike Evans (clavicle), and outside linebacker Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) were sidelined.
**Up next**
The Patriots will host the New York Jets on Thursday night.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/11/09/treveyon-henderson-leads-patriots-to-seventh-straight-win/
