Patriots Rally Behind Rookies, Beat Buccaneers 28-23

Summary:

• The New England Patriots defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 on Sunday.
• Mike Vrabel emphasized “players, not plays” as Drake Maye, Stefon Diggs, and other key contributors shone.
• Rookies Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson scored big, with explosive plays that turned the game.

Coach Mike Vrabel kept it simple after the New England Patriots’ 28-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on NFL Sunday: “it’s all about the players“.

In a sideline interview at halftime, Vrabel shrugged off questions about his role in the go-ahead touchdown at the end of the first half.

The play, a fourth-down back-shoulder throw from Drake Maye to Stefon Diggs, put New England ahead.

Vrabel told CBS

Players, not plays. And certainly Drake [Maye] and [Stefon] Diggs are two of our best players.

He repeated the sentiment after the game.

We’ve got confidence in our guys. To be able to have confidence in them and them come through, that was about players and not necessarily plays.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles summed it up from the other sideline:

Their players made plays. Our players did not. I need to coach better

Willians “It Was Sensational.”

Vrabel deserves all the praise, even though the Patriots’ turnaround is clearly the result roduct of a clever roster rebuild. Since Bill Belichick left, Vrabel and GM Eliot Wolf have reshaped the team. Maye, the 2024 third overall pick, headlines the post-Belichick era, and Sunday showed just how far the roster has come.

Nine of 11 offensive starters and eight of 11 defensive starters were brought in after Belichick’s departure.

Rookies shone in big moments. Kyle Williams scored his first NFL touchdown on a 72-yard punt return, accelerating to 21.78 mph to evade multiple Buccaneers defenders.

It was sensational, I don’t think words can really put an explanation on that feeling

TreVeyon Henderson had two explosive runs, one for 55 yards and another for 69 yards, making up for the absence of Rhamondre Stevenson.

Maye himself faced heavy pressure, completing key passes despite six hits and five deflections. His completion rate was down, but he made the plays when they mattered most, including a 54-yard third-down throw to Mack Hollins.

Veterans like Diggs and Hollins also stepped up, showing that the Patriots’ mix of youth and experience can handle adversity.

The result leaves New England tied for the AFC lead at eight wins. Vrabel will lean on the same mix of poise and playmaking as the season continues, starting Thursday night against the Jets.

It’s not always perfect, it’s never going to be perfect, but I love the way that they compete. They fight and they compete.