The Patriots are winners of seven in a row after an impressive victory on the road in Tampa Bay. They shook off another slow start on both sides of the ball but showed the grit to come back and take the lead, ultimately closing out the game.
Sunday was a game for the young guys, Drake Maye, TreVeyon Henderson, and Kyle Williams all produced big plays that the Patriots needed against a very good Bucs defense. The Patriots utilized their explosiveness to score three times on plays of 50 yards or more.
The defense made life difficult all day for Baker Mayfield, contesting key third and fourth-down plays that put the game away.
So, as we always do, let’s break it down by position
Quarterback: B
Drake Maye was facing a very good defense that boasts an outstanding secondary and a pass rush that disguises its blitzes really well. His completion percentage wasn’t what it had been for the past month and a half; he finished 16-31 for 270 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 89.4.
However, some of the throws he made during the game were outstanding. The 72-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first quarter, while under pressure, was an excellent throw. He put the ball where Kyle Williams caught it in stride and used his speed to blow away the defenders.
The 26-yard completion to Pop Douglas was another dime, delivered with the blitz coming right up the middle. He made a couple more outstanding throws on third downs to Mack Hollins, including the beautiful 54-yard drop in the bucket, where the ball traveled nearly 60 yards in the air.
The interception in the end zone slightly lowered his grade. Up five points, throw it away, take the easy field goal, and go up eight. Teaching points for the future.
Running Backs: A
TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings were the starting duo, with Rhamondre Stevenson out again with a toe injury. Then Jennings left with an injury. But without their top running back, the Patriots ran for 166 yards, with 153 coming from the running backs against one of the best defenses in the league.
TreVeyon Henderson accounted for 147 of the 166 rushing yards and showcased the explosiveness that we’ve been waiting to see. On the Patriots’ first drive of the second half, he found a crack on the right side of the line and, once through, burst down the right sideline for a 55-yard touchdown. That gave the Patriots a 21-10 lead.
At the end of the game, with the Patriots trying to run out the clock, Henderson took a toss to the left side and followed a crushing block by Khyiris Tonga that collapsed the edge, and blew by defenders for a 69-yard game-sealing touchdown.
Wide Receivers: A
The group missed Kayshon Boutte, who was out with a hamstring injury. So, without their second-leading wide receiver, who happens to lead the team in touchdown catches, the wide receivers stepped up big time. The wide receivers gained 258 yards total.
Every week, someone else steps up. This week, it was Mack Hollins who had six catches for 106 yards. Hollins has been an outstanding pick-up by the team this spring. He’s just a terrific all-around player that gives as much in the running game with his blocking as he does in the passing game. He’s a perfect #4 option.
Stefon Diggs scored the Patriots’ second touchdown on the final play of the first half with an outstanding catch in the back corner of the end zone. He also made some tough catches to keep the sticks moving. He finished with five catches for 46 yards.
Williams, the rookie wide receiver who entered the game with just two catches, made his third catch a memorable one, a crosser for a 72-yard touchdown. Pop Douglas chipped in with two catches for 34 yards.
Tight Ends: B-
Hunter Henry had just one catch for nine yards on four targets. Austin Hooper was targeted once. This week, the team utilized the WRs in the passing game, but the tight ends, including Jack Westover, provided solid run blocking in the running game.
Offensive Line: B
This was the matchup of the week. Tampa’s defense had generated 15 sacks in the past three games, but in this one, they managed only one. The Bucs’ blitzes were able to bring pressure, but overall, this was a very solid effort for the offensive line.
The Patriots rolled up 436 yards of offense, on the road, against one of the better defenses in the league, and the offensive line should get a lot of credit for that.
Defensive Line: B
The defensive line didn’t have the success they’ve enjoyed the first nine weeks of the season, allowing the Bucs to run for 113 yards. Tampa running backs accounted for 91 yards, with Sean Tucker accounting for 53 yards, the first running back that has gained 50 yards or more against the Patriots run defense all season.
The pass rush generated pressure on Mayfield all day, and frequently forced him to make off target throws. They generated two sacks, one by Elijah Ponder, his first NFL sack and another by K’Lavon Chaisson. Ponder added a TFL.
Chaisson had a sack, a TFL, and two QB hits. Tonga continues his outstanding play both defensively and on offense. He ragdolled a blocker tossing him back flat on his back at Mayfield’s feet, forcing an errant third-down throw.
Linebackers: B+
The linebackers, particularly Jack Gibbens and Robert Spillane, were excellent again. They were all over the field making plays. Gibbens had 10 tackles with a TFL and a pass defensed. Spillane had nine tackles, a TFL and pass defensed.
Marte Mapu and Jahlani Tavai also played a role and contributed.
Secondary: B
The Patriots’ secondary had a tough time when they played zone where Mayfield had very good success. But when they played man coverage, they contested everything and were much more solid.
Christian Gonzalez and Emeka Egbuka had some good battles. Egbuka had a big game with six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Cade Otton had a big game with nine catches for 82 yards.
Jaylinn Hawkins made a big play, stopping the Bucs’ fourth-down attempt by tackling Rachaad White after Mayfield who was being sacked, flipped the ball to White.
Special Teams: B-
The Patriots got another strong game from Andy Borregales, who made all four of his kicks; they were also flagged for two more penalties. Marcus Jones muffed a punt but was able to recover it.
The return game didn’t generate much, although Bryce Barringer averaged 49.6 yards on his five punts, including a long of 59. The coverage units were solid, but a bigger test awaits them on Thursday.
Coaches: B
Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff do a fantastic job of generating game plans every week and having the players execute them. But they have to find a way to stop these slow starts defensively. And although I think Josh McDaniels is doing a fantastic job, it seems that once the Patriots open up a two-score lead, they become very conservative.
We’re done with the Bucs week. We’re on to the Jets on a short week.
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
