In a thrilling matchup in Tampa, Florida, TreVeyon Henderson’s explosive runs and Drake Maye’s aerial prowess led the New England Patriots to a 28-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This victory marked the Patriots’ seventh consecutive win, bringing their season record to an impressive 8-2.

Henderson, the dynamic rookie, had a career-defining night, rushing for 147 yards on just 14 carries. His standout performance included two electrifying touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards. It was his 69-yard sprint that ultimately sealed the game for the Patriots, following a critical defensive stand after an interception by Maye.

Drake Maye contributed significantly with two touchdown passes, despite a momentary setback when Tykee Smith intercepted his pass in the end zone with just over five minutes remaining. However, the Patriots’ defense rose to the occasion, stifling the Buccaneers on a crucial fourth-and-3 play deep in Patriots’ territory.

The Buccaneers, now 6-3, have been a team defined by their last-minute heroics, having secured their first four wins of the season with dramatic game-winning scores in the final moments. Yet, on this occasion, they fell just short. Baker Mayfield’s late-game pass to Rachaad White failed to convert on fourth down, allowing the Patriots to hold onto their lead.

But on fourth down Baker Mayfield was swarmed by the defense and flipped a pass to Rachaad White that fell short of the first down just outside the red zone.

Mayfield threw his second TD pass of the game to Tez Johnson in the final minute, but New England recovered the ensuing onside kick.

Patriots first-year coach Mike Vrabel has led an impressive turnaround, guiding a team that was 4-13 last season to first place in the AFC East.

Henderson ran 55 yards up the middle on the second play of the second half to extend New England’s lead to 21-10.

Mayfield scrambled out of pressure and hit Johnson for a 10-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 21-16 in the third quarter. Tampa Bay tried a version of the “Philly Special” on the 2-point conversion, but the Patriots were ready for it and Emeka Egbuka was stopped on a run.

The Patriots took a 14-10 lead on Maye’s 1-yard TD pass to Stefon Diggs on the final play of the first half. After the Buccaneers stuffed three straight runs from the 1, Maye tossed a perfect pass to Diggs in the corner of the end zone. Diggs made an excellent catch over Antoine Winfield Jr. and kept both feet in.

Maye hit Kyle Williams on a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown to tie it at 7 on the final play of the first quarter. It was New England’s longest play this season.

Mayfield connected with Egbuka on a 21-yard TD pass to give the Buccaneers a 7-0 lead on the opening drive.

Chase McLaughlin’s 36-yard field goal extended the lead to 10-7.

Chunk plays

The Patriots had three TDs of 50-plus yards and Maye threw a 54-yard pass to Mack Hollins to the Bucs 8 on third-and-14 in the fourth quarter.

Brady Bowl

This was the first matchup between the teams since Tom Brady retired. There were more No. 12 Patriots jerseys in the stands than No. 12 Bucs jerseys. Brady led New England to six Super Bowl titles in 20 seasons with the team and won one with the Buccaneers in three seasons in Tampa Bay.

Injuries

Patriots: DT Christian Barmore (back) was hurt in the fourth quarter. … RB Terrell Jennings (knee) didn’t return in the second half. … WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), LB Christian Elliss (hip) didn’t play.

Buccaneers: LG Ben Bredeson left the game with a hamstring injury in the first quarter. … RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), WR Chris Godwin (fibula), WR Mike Evans (clavicle), OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) were out.

Up Next

Patriots: Host the New York Jets on Thursday night.

Buccaneers: Visit the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.