The AFC East leading New England Patriots come to Tampa to face the Buccaneers this Sunday.New England Patriots (7-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. ESTWhere to Watch: WESH 2What appears to be the game of the week is getting ready to kickoff in Tampa this weekend. The current two seed in the AFC Patriots will do battle with the current two seed in the NFC Buccaneers coming off their bye week. The last time these two teams faced off was four years ago, when Tom Brady and the Bucs headed to Foxborough for Sunday Night Football. Tampa Bay came out with the 19 to 17 win, and Brady became the fourth ever QB to beat all 32 NFL teams.The Patriots are winners of six straight under new head coach Mike Vrabel, and seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. QB Drake Maye currently leads the NFL in completion percentage among starters (74.1%), and has positioned himself among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league.The Bucs have a pretty stellar quarterback of their own in Baker Mayfield. He’s cooled off in recent weeks, with only one passing touchdown and one interception thrown over the last two games (1-1 record). But they’ve done that pretty banged up, and the bye week has arrived at the right time. RB Bucky Irving missed four straight games, WR Chris Godwin has missed three straight, and WR Mike Evans is on Injured Reserve. Godwin and Irving are listed as questionable for Sunday.In terms of how to attack the red hot Patriots, Drake Maye has been sacked 34 times – the second most among QBs. If Tampa Bay’s D-Line can continue to pressure signal callers, it could be a key to their success on Sunday.Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson missed last week’s game against Atlanta with a toe injury. He’s questionable for Sunday’s game. If he misses, expect rookie RB from Ohio State TreVeyon Henderson to get the majority of the Patriots’ carries. WR Kayshon Boutte is also questionable for Sunday’s tilt, as he left last week’s game with a hamstring injury. He’s one of Maye’s favorite deep ball targets.With both running back rooms injured, the defenses should continue to shine in the run game. The Patriots have the best rush defense in the country currently (75.4 yards allowed per game), while the Buccaneers have the eighth best rush defense (92.6 yards allowed per game).The matchup of the game will most definitely be New England CB Christian Gonzalez and Tampa Bay WR Emeka Egbuka. Last week, Falcons WR Drake London went for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Off a bye, expect Egbuka to be a major focus in the offense as Tampa Bay tries to replicate what the Falcons did to the Patriots secondary in the second half last week. Egbuka is one of only three rookies with over 500 receiving yards on the year.The Patriots have proven themselves to be road warriors, as they’ve yet to lose a game away from home this season (4-0). If Tampa Bay gets the win it will be because of the resurgence of QB Baker Mayfield, the continued breakout of rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, and a statement made from the Bus defense.

TAMPA, Fla. —

The AFC East leading New England Patriots come to Tampa to face the Buccaneers this Sunday.

New England Patriots (7-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. EST

Where to Watch: WESH 2

What appears to be the game of the week is getting ready to kickoff in Tampa this weekend. The current two seed in the AFC Patriots will do battle with the current two seed in the NFC Buccaneers coming off their bye week.

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The last time these two teams faced off was four years ago, when Tom Brady and the Bucs headed to Foxborough for Sunday Night Football. Tampa Bay came out with the 19 to 17 win, and Brady became the fourth ever QB to beat all 32 NFL teams.

The Patriots are winners of six straight under new head coach Mike Vrabel, and seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. QB Drake Maye currently leads the NFL in completion percentage among starters (74.1%), and has positioned himself among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league.

The Bucs have a pretty stellar quarterback of their own in Baker Mayfield. He’s cooled off in recent weeks, with only one passing touchdown and one interception thrown over the last two games (1-1 record). But they’ve done that pretty banged up, and the bye week has arrived at the right time. RB Bucky Irving missed four straight games, WR Chris Godwin has missed three straight, and WR Mike Evans is on Injured Reserve. Godwin and Irving are listed as questionable for Sunday.

In terms of how to attack the red hot Patriots, Drake Maye has been sacked 34 times – the second most among QBs. If Tampa Bay’s D-Line can continue to pressure signal callers, it could be a key to their success on Sunday.

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Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson missed last week’s game against Atlanta with a toe injury. He’s questionable for Sunday’s game. If he misses, expect rookie RB from Ohio State TreVeyon Henderson to get the majority of the Patriots’ carries. WR Kayshon Boutte is also questionable for Sunday’s tilt, as he left last week’s game with a hamstring injury. He’s one of Maye’s favorite deep ball targets.

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WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), LB Christian Elliss (hip) and RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) aren’t scheduled to practice today, according to Mike Vrabel.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 5, 2025

With both running back rooms injured, the defenses should continue to shine in the run game. The Patriots have the best rush defense in the country currently (75.4 yards allowed per game), while the Buccaneers have the eighth best rush defense (92.6 yards allowed per game).

The matchup of the game will most definitely be New England CB Christian Gonzalez and Tampa Bay WR Emeka Egbuka. Last week, Falcons WR Drake London went for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Off a bye, expect Egbuka to be a major focus in the offense as Tampa Bay tries to replicate what the Falcons did to the Patriots secondary in the second half last week. Egbuka is one of only three rookies with over 500 receiving yards on the year.

The Patriots have proven themselves to be road warriors, as they’ve yet to lose a game away from home this season (4-0). If Tampa Bay gets the win it will be because of the resurgence of QB Baker Mayfield, the continued breakout of rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, and a statement made from the Bus defense.