\u2018Every week we\u2019re fighting\u2019: What Drake Maye said after the win \u2014 4:55 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Emma Healy<\/p>\n
Quarterback Drake Maye struggled at times in the win over the Buccaneers but finished 16 of 31 for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Here\u2019s what he said after the game.<\/p>\n
On how he\u2019d describe the win: \u201cIt\u2019s great. Just so proud of this team. Every week we\u2019re fighting. Some things aren\u2019t going our way. We\u2019re battling adversity. Defense is stepping up. What a complete game. That\u2019s what we said all week: \u2018Show up for 60 minutes.\u2019 We knew they\u2019re a good football team. We knew if we got up they were going to come back, and they came marching back. Just proud of the guys for standing up, especially our defense with a big stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the touchdown to Stefon Diggs on fourth and 1: \u201cShoot, didn\u2019t get in the first three times and called a play to get our guys involved, and [Stefon Diggs] made a great play, and Hunter [Henry] was open as well. [Diggs] did a great job of getting his feet down. That was a toe-tap extraordinaire.\u201d<\/p>\n
On being aggressive on fourth down: \u201cCoach, that\u2019s who he is. He\u2019s aggressive. He\u2019s not going to change. It\u2019s fun to listen on the headset and hear what his thought process is. He\u2019s the best in the business, and I\u2019m thankful I get to play for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
On if playing for Vrabel makes him want to play better: \u201cShoot, I don\u2019t really need to try to play well. I don\u2019t really need extra. I\u2019m trying to play well for this team for this organization and battle and fight for those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the touchdown pass to Kyle Williams: \u201cKyle got out the back door. He\u2019s fast. You\u2019re not going to catch him. He and [TreVeyon Henderson], if they get going you\u2019re not catching them. I\u2019m just proud of him for stepping up. He only got maybe one target and made it count. Just proud of him for getting in there. He got a lot of reps this week, and there are some times on the tape where he\u2019s probably more open, and I just got to look his way.\u201d<\/p>\n
On coming back from a bad play like the end zone interception: \u201cI don\u2019t change my approach. I wouldn\u2019t change the throw; I had Mack [Hollins] earlier. Just got to make it him or nobody out there out wide. You\u2019re going to be mad at yourself, but you know that you have a chance to either go in a two-minute drill to win the game or go on a five-minute scenario to win the game, so that\u2019s this league. Just bouncing back and flipping the page. You want to throw things on the sideline, but guys are watching me. I think the biggest thing is just to get back out there and show these guys we\u2019re ready to go for the next play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maye has a scratch on his arm. A reporter asks what happened. \u201cThose guys did a great job up front this game. I think just trying to stand in there and make throws, you\u2019re going to get hit. And that\u2019s this league. Just standing in there and making throws. Didn\u2019t even notice it. That\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the first down play at the end of the first half: \u201cI was trying to get in. Big Vita Vea. It ain\u2019t easy to get in with Vita standing there. I know the clock\u2019s a thing, so it ended up working out for us. But we ended up scoring, and that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
On standing in the pocket and staring down pressure: \u201cThat\u2019s what it is. I think you know with Coach Bowles and what he does. They do a great job defensively. … We\u2019ve got to get a little bit more third and manageable. We\u2019ve got to do a better job of getting third and short and making plays. But when we did run third and long I was just trying to hang in there. There were times on first and second down I probably could\u2019ve hung in there more, but just proud of this team. Blessed to play this sport. It\u2019s fun out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
On his mindset heading into a short week before Thursday Night Football: \u201cGetting on the plane. Probably watch some tape of New York. We\u2019ve got to flip the next page. It\u2019s a quick turnaround. We got one at home, so looking forward to playing with our fans. Our fans were great out there today. It was cool. It felt like our whole side was Patriots fans, so that was cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
On if the win feels particularly good this week: \u201cShoot, you\u2019re exhausted. The heat, the nerves, making plays, the back and forth. I think that\u2019s what makes this sport so great. There\u2019s nothing like it. Every win\u2019s crucial, every win\u2019s important, and we\u2019ve got to go out next week and get another one.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Mike Vrabel said after Patriots win seventh straight \u2014 4:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Amin Touri<\/p>\n
On TreVeyon Henderson scoring late instead of going down: \u201cWell, those are important. Those were important. We needed it. Situational football … We\u2019ll talk through all those things. He was thinking the right thing, and in the game, we needed two touchdowns, I think it was OK. We made it a little closer. We knew it\u2019d be difficult coming down here, but two explosive plays, and I think Kyle [Williams]\u2019s play early, we really needed that one. Needed one play, and he hit it, and it was great to see him have that success.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the fight his team showed: \u201cI always love the fight. That\u2019s why I love coaching, that they fight and compete. It\u2019s not always perfect, it\u2019s never going to be perfect, but I love the way that they compete. You\u2019re going to have some time where, if you strike out, you\u2019re going to have to go to the dugout and be pissed for a couple seconds, and then you go play the rest of the game. We tell them: \u2018Take 30 seconds, be pissed, but then we got to go play.\u2019 It was a long game, it\u2019s a tough place to play, it was warm, and they\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n
On rookies scoring on explosive plays: \u201cWell, we\u2019re going to need everybody throughout this season. We\u2019re going to need everybody as this thing goes on. With Kayshon [Boutte] being out, there was an opportunity for Kyle [Williams]; with Rhamondre [Stevenson] being out, it led to more opportunities for TreVeyon [Henderson], and he battled through. I got wore out running out there to see how our guys were doing as many times as I did, but I\u2019m proud of the guys that battled and competed and laid it on the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
On scoring in the final seconds of the first half: \u201cIt was a huge play for us on fourth down. I\u2019ve got confidence in our guys. To be able to have confidence in them at that moment and them come through, that\u2019s about players and not necessarily plays, so I was really excited and proud of Stef [Diggs] and Drake [Maye] for scoring and being able to end the half with the football in our hands. … They came through, they made me look good.\u201d<\/p>\n
On coaching aggressively: \u201cWell, I think, anything in life, you\u2019re going to have to, certainly, put some chips in the pot to be able to win something. Can\u2019t sit around and wait and hope that they just hand it to you. Sometimes you can, but most of the time, in life, you\u2019ve got to risk something to get something in return. Can\u2019t win nothing you don\u2019t put in the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n
On scoring either side of halftime: \u201cHuge. Huge. And then we got some stops early \u2014 the first drive and the last drive are the worst ones of the game \u2014 but other than that, we got some stops in the red zone when we needed it, we got some three and outs, the guys played hard. They earned being tired, and they are tired, and we\u2019ll have to get them back. We\u2019ve got a short week, and excited to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Drake Maye\u2019s late interception: \u201cYeah, again, a lot of things happen quick down there, and situationally it\u2019s important there that, if we don\u2019t come out of there with a touchdown, we have to leave with points. We have to make it a touchdown game, we\u2019ve got to be able to make it a 7-point game there. We want to be aggressive, we just can\u2019t be reckless, and I think that probably bordered on a bad decision. We\u2019ll continue to improve, and we can learn from that and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instant Analysis: Patriots are a real contender \u2014 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Ben Volin<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s game in Tampa Bay was billed as a measuring stick for the Patriots, one of their few games against a playoff-caliber team with a legitimate franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n
Anyone who wasn\u2019t a believer before will be now.<\/p>\n
The Patriots fought through injuries, a stout Bucs defense, and soggy, humid conditions to win their seventh game in a row and improve to 8-2, tied with the Colts and Broncos for the best record in the NFL. The Week 4 win over the Bills<\/a> was more important in the standings, but Sunday proved the Patriots can battle adversity and still emerge victorious.<\/p>\n No, the Buccaneers weren\u2019t operating at full capacity, with several starters out on offense. And the Patriots had their struggles \u2014 they couldn\u2019t run the ball for much of the day due to injuries to several running backs, and Maye threw an unfortunate interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n But to take down Baker Mayfield and a solid Bucs team coming off a bye, in their stadium, puts the rest of the NFL on notice. The Patriots aren\u2019t just beating up on bad teams. They\u2019re a real contender.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Patriots recover the onside kick to end the game \u2014 4:06 p.m.<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs recovers the onside kick \u2014 and takes a big hit for his troubles \u2014 to seal the game for New England. The Patriots will be able to kneel out a big road win with a 28-23 victory in Tampa. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Buccaneers score one late \u2014 4:05 p.m.<\/p>\n The Buccaneers pick up a likely consolation touchdown, with Baker Mayfield hitting Tez Johnson in the end zone to cut New England\u2019s lead to 28-23 with 33 seconds to play. Tampa Bay has no timeouts, needing a successful onside kick and a touchdown with very little time to work with. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson takes it to the house \u2014 3:58 p.m.<\/p>\n What a day for TreVeyon Henderson, who gets loose again and puts the game away with a 69-yard touchdown run to make it 28-16 in favor of New England with 1:31 to go. Henderson has a career-high 147 yards and two scores in this one. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots come up big on fourth down \u2014 3:55 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots come up with a huge fourth down stop, as the blitz gets home on Baker Mayfield and New England gets the tackle in the backfield to turn it over on downs. The Patriots have the ball back with 1:47 to play and a 5-point lead, just needing a first down or two to ice the game. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots\u2019 run defense streak comes to an end \u2014 3:51 p.m.<\/p>\n And the nine-game streak of the Patriots\u2019 run defense holding opposing rushers to fewer than 50 yards is broken by . . . Sean Tucker. \u2014 Nicole Yang<\/p>\n Drake Maye throws an INT in the end zone \u2014 3:45 p.m.<\/p>\n A really bad time for Drake Maye to have his first turnover of the game, as he\u2019s picked off in the end zone on third and goal to turn a great chance at points into a turnover. The Buccaneers have a chance to drive down the field and win this game as they trail, 21-16, with 5:17 to play. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n New England\u2019s offense stalls out again \u2014 3:35 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots go three and out on their first drive of the fourth quarter, as Mack Hollins is ruled just short of a first down on third and 9 and Mike Vrabel opts to play it safe on fourth and 1. The Buccaneers will get the ball back at their own 24-yard line, trailing 21-16 with 10:12 to go in Tampa. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots turn it over on downs \u2014 3:20 p.m.<\/p>\n Mike Vrabel\u2019s aggressiveness doesn\u2019t pay off this time, as New England is stopped on fourth and 5 at the Buccaneers\u2019 42-yard line. More injury concern for the Patriots, too, as running back TreVeyon Henderson limps off with New England already having lost Terrell Jennings earlier in the game. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Buccaneers pull within one score \u2014 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n The Buccaneers march down the field on an 11-play, 92-yard scoring drive, with Baker Mayfield finding Tez Johnson in the end zone to cut the Patriots\u2019 lead to one score. Tampa Bay\u2019s attempt at a 2-point conversion is unsuccessful, leaving New England\u2019s lead at 21-16 with 4:12 to play in the third quarter. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots send out the punt team \u2014 2:51 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots go three and out for the first time today after Drake Maye fails to connect with Hunter Henry on third down. Maye\u2019s been unusually inaccurate today, going just 12 of 21, but it\u2019s been enough to pick up 190 yards and two scores thus far. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson opens the half with a TD run \u2014 2:38 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots strike quickly coming out of halftime, as TreVeyon Henderson gets loose in the secondary and sprints away for a 55-yard touchdown run just 48 seconds into the second half. New England leads, 21-10, in the opening minute of the second half after scoring either side of halftime. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Christopher Price\u2019s halftime observations \u2014 2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n Two quarters are in the books, and the Patriots lead the Buccaneers, 14-10.<\/p>\n Baker Mayfield: 9-15, 116 yards, 1 TD<\/p>\n Sean Tucker: 4 carries, 23 yards<\/p>\n Emeka Egbuka: 3 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD<\/p>\n Drake Maye: 11-19, 180 yards, 2 TDs<\/p>\n TreVeyon Henderson: 6 carries, 22 yards<\/p>\n Kyle Williams: 1 catch, 72 yards, 1 TD<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs: 5 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD<\/p>\n \u2022 On Friday, former Tampa Bay cornerback Carlton Davis III talked tongue-in-cheek about wanting to win on Sunday so the Patriots could capture the \u201cNFC South championship,\u201d referencing their earlier sweep of Carolina, New Orleans, and Atlanta. They\u2019re two quarters away from \u201craising a banner\u201d by doing just that this afternoon in swampy Tampa. It has been an uneven and inconsistent half for the Patriots \u2014 they need to find a better way to slow Egbuka \u2014 but they\u2019re finding a way to put it together in key moments on the road against the Buccaneers.<\/p>\n \u2022 Their best offensive drive of the first half came late in the second quarter when, down 10-7, Maye directed a really sharp drive, a series that included a 26-yard pass play to Douglas that got New England into the red zone. After running into a Tampa Bay wall for a couple of plays, the Patriots converted on fourth-and-short with a sparkling ball for Diggs in the corner of the end zone as the first half ran out. Great throw, terrific catch to make it 14-10, New England.<\/p>\n \u2022 Streak check: New England\u2019s run of not allowing an opposing running back to hit 50 yards looks to be in relatively decent shape, as Tampa Bay\u2019s Sean Tucker is at 23 rushing yards. (To be fair, the Patriots caught a break with no Bucky Irving in the lineup.)<\/p>\n \u2022 On the Bucs\u2019 opening drive, a 24-yard pickup for Egbuka (against Christian Gonzalez) got the Tampa Bay offense started. They ended up cashing in a few plays later when Mayfield again connected with Egbuka on a 21-yard scoring strike to make it 7-0 with 11:23 left in the first quarter. After a solid defensive start last week against the Falcons, it was the sixth time in the last seven weeks where the Patriots have yielded points on the opposing teams\u2019 opening drive. In my experience, it\u2019s the sort of detail that\u2019s really holding New England back from being an elite team. Oh, and Egbuka is the real deal; he was really impressive slicing through some of the zone coverages. Like watching Drake London last week.<\/p>\n \u2022 Maye looked anxious and uneasy in the pocket on the first drive. It looked like the early rain and Todd Bowles\u2019 defense were dealing him a curveball, not to mention the fact that he was operating without wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and running back Rhamondre Stevenson. He appeared to settle in a bit \u2014 namely on the 72-yard touchdown pass he would deliver to Williams later in the half, as well as the excellent floater for Diggs at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n \u2022 Henderson, who started at running back, had a 16-yard run off a toss play late in the first quarter that was his second-longest from scrimmage this year. He nearly broke it; he\u2019s talked about nearly busting out with some of those dirty runs from this season. It\u2019s clear he\u2019s getting closer. He could be in for more second-half work, as Terrell Jennings sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and is questionable to return. It\u2019ll be worth paying attention to how the snaps are doled out moving forward between Henderson and D\u2019Ernest Johnson. They\u2019re probably not going to overwhelm them on the ground, but New England needs to run the ball just enough to keep the threat of play-action in the minds of the Tampa Bay defense.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Patriots were one play from not scoring in the first quarter for the just the second time all year (the Steelers\u2019 game was the other one) until Maye hit Williams with an explosive 72-yard pass play down the sideline to tie the game at seven on the last play from scrimmage in the first quarter. A dart from the quarterback, who delivered one of his best deep balls \u2014 not intended for Boutte \u2014 all year. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams hit a top speed of 21.78 MPH on the play. It was the fastest top speed hit by a Patriots player this season.<\/p>\n \u2022 Tampa took the lead again on a 36-yard field goal with 7:16 left in the first half.<\/p>\n \u2022 Khyiris Tonga made cameo at fullback for the second straight week; his highlight came when he helped the Patriots pick up a first down on a fourth-and-short. Love to see that sort of flexibility from the big man. He\u2019s very quietly become the single best value free-agent add of this past offseason.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Patriots will get the ball to start the second half.<\/p>\n Patriots 14, Buccaneers 7 | Halftime<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs ends the half with a touchdown \u2014 2:25 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots get aggressive to close out the first half and it pays off, as Drake Maye hits Stefon Diggs in the corner of the end zone on fourth and goal to give New England a 14-10 lead going into halftime. The Patriots were stuffed three times at the goal line before going to the air, with Diggs making a beautiful leaping, toe-tapping catch for his third touchdown of the year. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Buccaneers take the lead with a field goal \u2014 2:02 p.m.<\/p>\n The Buccaneers retake the lead on a 36-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin to make it 10-7 with 7:16 to play in the second quarter. The Patriots continue to struggle to contain receiver Emeka Egbuka, who is up to 76 yards on just three catches after a 31-yard snag. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Baringer comes back out to punt \u2014 1:55 p.m.<\/p>\n For the third time in four drives, the Patriots pick up a single first down \u2014 this time via penalty on a pass interference call \u2014 before stalling out and punting. New England has just five first downs through four offensive possessions in this one. It remains tied, 7-7, with 11:41 to go in the second quarter. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots 7, Buccaneers 7 | End of 1Q<\/p>\n Drake Maye hits Kyle Williams for a long touchdown \u2014 1:40 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots offense explodes into life with a 72-yard catch and run for a touchdown from Kyle Williams \u2014 who had two catches for 20 yards all season \u2014 to tie the game at 7-7 in the final seconds of the first quarter. It\u2019s New England\u2019s longest play from scrimmage this season. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Patriots punt it away again \u2014 1:35 p.m.<\/p>\n The Patriots offense continues to sputter early in Florida, with TreVeyon Henderson picking up a first down on a 16-yard gain before New England is again forced to punt after a single first down. Drake Maye is just 2 of 7 for 19 yards through two Patriots drives. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n That 16-yarder for Henderson was his second-longest run from scrimmage this season. Nearly broke it. \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n Difficult opening drive for Drake Maye \u2014 1:17 p.m.<\/p>\n Drake Maye struggles on his first drive in Tampa, finding Stefon Diggs for a 9-yard gain before three straight incompletions \u2014 none of which were particularly close \u2014 as the Patriots punt after one first down. Maye seemed to be struggling to get a grip on things as the rain has started coming down early at Raymond James Stadium. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n Tampa Bay out to a hot start \u2014 1:09 p.m.<\/p>\n A tough start for the Patriots defense, as New England is carved open in a hurry on a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive for the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield went straight to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka on the opening drive, hitting his best target for a 24-yard completion on the second play of the game before finding Egbuka for a 21-yard score. Tampa Bay leads, 7-0, less than four minutes in. \u2014 Amin Touri<\/p>\n That\u2019s the sixth time in the last seven weeks where the Patriots have yielded points on the opposing teams\u2019 opening drive. \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n How are things going to shake out? The Globe staff predicts. \u2014 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Nicole Yang: Patriots 17, Buccaneers 13. A defensive battle with the Patriots coming out on top.<\/p>\n Christopher Price: Patriots 28, Buccaneers 24. Drake Maye narrowly wins a shootout against fellow MVP candidate Baker Mayfield as the Patriots\u2019 hype train kicks into high gear.<\/p>\n Tara Sullivan: Buccaneers 24, Patriots 21.<\/p>\n The Globe staff\u2019s players to watch \u2014 12:00 p.m.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s who the Globe\u2019s Patriots reporters and columnists are keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n Patriots<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs. Without Kayshon Boutte and with a lot on the line for the Patriots, this sets up to be an impact game for the veteran. The 31-year-old has been everything New England hoped he would be when he signed in the offseason; he was added for moments like today. \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n Hunter Henry. Without the passing attack\u2019s deep threat, Kayshon Boutte, the Patriots will have to take better advantage of the intermediate passes \u2014 an area where Tampa\u2019s defense can be vulnerable. Henry, who ranks second on the team in receptions, could be in for a big day. \u2014 Nicole Yang<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs has been everything the Patriots could have asked for this season, both on the field (team-high 45 receptions for 508 yards through nine games) and in the locker room, with his veteran presence and team-first attitude (remember the quick recovery from off-season ACL surgery?). Today, with fellow wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) out and the Buccaneers no doubt ready to pressure quarterback Drake Maye, Diggs could be the perfect release valve. \u2014 Tara Sullivan<\/p>\n Buccaneers<\/p>\n Emeka Egbuka. With Mike Evans sidelined, the young Tampa Bay receiver has emerged as a bona fide No. 1 pass catcher and a favorite of Baker Mayfield. Look for the Buccaneers to try and get the 6-foot-1-inch Egbuka into the slot as they attempt to take advantage of a potential size mismatch with the 5-foot-8-inch Marcus Jones. \u2014 Christopher Price<\/p>\n Baker Mayfield. Since New England\u2019s statement win over Buffalo in Week 5, the Patriots have had the quarterback advantage in each of their four games. Mayfield has been in the MVP conversation, so even without some of his top offensive weapons, he\u2019ll certainly pose a tougher challenge for the defense. \u2014 Nicole Yang<\/p>\n When in doubt, go with the quarterback. Baker Mayfield, himself the subject of MVP speculation earlier this season, has battled through various injuries to his oblique and knee, issues that remain even as the Bucs come out of their bye week. Mayfield has found his home in Tampa Bay, and if he can put some points on the board, the Buccaneers could be a playoff favorite. \u2014 Tara Sullivan<\/p>\n Patriots\u2019 OL continuity has been a major improvement \u2014 11:45 a.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n There\u2019s something to be said for consistency and continuity.<\/p>\n Today will mark the 10th game of the 2025 season for the Patriots. They have used six different OL starters in that stretch: Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Ben Brown, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses.<\/p>\n By the 10th game of the 2024 season, New England had utilized 11 different starters along the offensive line: Chuks Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Demontrey Jacobs, Michael Jordan, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Nick Leverett, Ben Brown, Layden Robinson, and Mike Onwenu.<\/p>\n Who\u2019s inactive for the Patriots? \u2014 11:30 a.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n Patriots Inactives:<\/p>\n Running back Rhamondre Stevenson<\/p>\n Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte<\/p>\n Linebacker Christian Elliss<\/p>\n Safety John Saunders<\/p>\n Offensive lineman Caedan Wallace<\/p>\n Quarterback Tommy DeVito<\/p>\n Defensive lineman Eric Gregory<\/p>\n No big surprises among the inactives; Stevenson, Boutte, and Ellis were all downgraded Friday, so there\u2019s been plenty of time to digest who might be called upon their absence to contribute today. Stevenson will miss his second straight game, while Elliss and Boutte will sit for the first time this season.<\/p>\n \u2022 With Elliss out, Caleb Murphy gets his first start as a member of the Patriots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Caedan Wallace has not been active on game day so far this season.<\/p>\n \u2022 It looks like that the Patriots will again lean on rookie receiver\/return man Elfton Chism III on special teams, as TreVeyon Henderson figures to have more on his place from an offensive standpoint.<\/p>\n Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are on the call Sunday \u2014 11:15 a.m.<\/p>\n By Chad Finn<\/p>\n One illuminating way to gauge how your favorite football team is perceived around the NFL is to look at which announcer teams television networks deploy to call their Sunday games.<\/p>\n During the two-decade dynasty, Jim Nantz called so many Patriots games \u2014 first with analyst Phil Simms on CBS\u2019s top team for 13 seasons, then with Tony Romo beginning in 2017 \u2014 that a moment was spent acknowledging his 100th broadcast of a New England contest during an October 2020 matchup with the 49ers.<\/p>\n Since the dynasty ended, however? Let\u2019s just say that Nantz hasn\u2019t said, \u201cHello, friends,\u201d to Patriots viewers very often.<\/p>\n In fact, Sunday\u2019s anticipated matchup with the Buccaneers in Tampa will be the first time Nantz and Romo call a Patriots game in more than two years.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Three things to watch in Patriots-Buccaneers game \u2014 11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n By Nicole Yang<\/p>\n The Patriots flew to Tampa Bay Saturday ahead of their Sunday showdown against the 6-2 Buccaneers.<\/p>\n Here are three things to watch for.<\/p>\n 1. Will Drake Maye take fewer sacks?<\/p>\n Only rookie quarterback Cam Ward has taken more sacks than Maye this season.<\/p>\n Maye has been sacked 34 times (four fewer than Ward), including 12 over the past two weeks. Of the 34 sacks, seven have come on plays where Maye runs out of bounds or scrambles but doesn\u2019t reach the line of scrimmage. Twelve have come on plays where he appears responsible for the sack, either by stepping or running into a tackle.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Rhamondre Stevenson, Kayshon Boutte out vs. Buccaneers \u201410:30 a.m.<\/p>\n By Christopher Price<\/p>\n The Patriots will be seriously shorthanded on the offensive side Sunday against the Buccaneers, as running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) were declared out Friday by coach Mike Vrabel.<\/p>\n Stevenson will miss his second straight game; the veteran running back was absent from last week\u2019s 24-23 win over the Falcons because of the toe issue. As for Boutte, he appeared to sustain his hamstring injury late in the game against Atlanta. Neither practiced over the course of the week.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Emma Healy can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com<\/a> or on X @ByEmmaHealy<\/a>. Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com<\/a>. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow<\/a> her @nicolecyang<\/a>. Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n