**Patriots Sweep NFC South with Thrilling 28-23 Win Over Buccaneers**
*TAMPA, Fla.* — Mike Vrabel greeted his New England Patriots players with a confident handshake and a statement: “NFC South champs!” The victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday marked the Patriots’ seventh straight win and completed a four-game sweep of the NFC South division.
In a standout performance, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson dazzled with touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards, while quarterback Drake Maye threw two touchdown passes to lead the Patriots to a hard-fought 28-23 victory.
### Patriots Climbing the AFC East
Vrabel, now in his first year coaching the team he once won multiple Super Bowls with as a player, has the Patriots sitting atop the AFC East with an 8-2 record after a tough 4-13 season last year. The win over the division-leading Buccaneers — who have won the NFC South for four consecutive years — reinforced New England’s resurgence.
“It’s not always perfect but I love the way they compete,” Vrabel said. “It was a long game. It’s a tough place to play. It was a warm day and they’re good.”
### Key Moments Seal the Win
After Maye threw an interception in the end zone, the Patriots’ defense made a crucial stop on fourth-and-3 at their own 27-yard line. Henderson then sealed the victory with his electrifying 69-yard touchdown run. He finished the game with a career-high 147 rushing yards on just 14 carries.
“This season comes with a lot of ups and downs in the NFL, but I thank God for the way he’s allowed it to go because he’s matured me a lot in my faith,” Henderson reflected. “He drew me closer to him. I’ve been trying to trust the process, being present in the moment and during game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, try my best to take advantage of it.”
### Buccaneers’ Late Rally Falls Short
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, now 6-3, had been the first team in NFL history to have each of their first four wins come on a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation. They had a chance to continue that streak late in the fourth quarter when Tykee Smith intercepted Maye’s pass in the end zone with 5:17 left.
However, on a pivotal fourth down, Baker Mayfield was pressured and forced to flip a short pass to Rachaad White, who was stopped just short of the first down just outside the red zone. Mayfield later threw his second touchdown pass to Tez Johnson in the final minute, but New England recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to close out the game.
“We didn’t play well. We have to take it on the chin. Give Vrabel and the Patriots a lot of credit,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “They did a heck of a job of doing the things they needed to do. Their players made plays, our players did not. We’ve got to coach it better, we’ve got to play it better and that starts with me.”
### Game Highlights and Big Plays
– Henderson’s 55-yard touchdown run early in the second half extended New England’s lead to 21-10.
– Mayfield scrambled and connected with Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown to narrow the gap to 21-16 in the third quarter.
– Tampa Bay attempted a “Philly Special” style two-point conversion, but Patriots defender Emeka Egbuka stopped the run.
– The Patriots took a 14-10 lead on Maye’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired in the first half. Diggs made an exceptional catch against Buccaneers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr., keeping both feet inbounds.
– On the final play of the first quarter, Maye threw a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Kyle Williams — the longest play for New England this season.
– The Buccaneers initially took a 7-0 lead on Mayfield’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka, with a 36-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin later extending their lead to 10-7.
The Patriots also capitalized on several big plays, including three touchdowns of 50-plus yards and a 54-yard pass from Maye to Mack Hollins on a critical third-and-14 late in the fourth quarter.
### Notable Absences and Injuries
– **Patriots:** DT Christian Barmore (back) was injured in the fourth quarter. RB Terrell Jennings (knee) did not return after halftime. WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), and LB Christian Elliss (hip) did not play.
– **Buccaneers:** LG Ben Bredeson left early with a hamstring injury. RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), WR Chris Godwin (fibula), WR Mike Evans (clavicle), and OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) were sidelined.
### The Brady Factor
This marked the first meeting between the Patriots and Buccaneers since Tom Brady retired. Interestingly, more fans wore Brady’s iconic No. 12 Patriots jersey than his Buccaneers No. 12 jersey in the stands. Brady famously led New England to six Super Bowl championships over two decades and added a seventh with Tampa Bay in three seasons.
### What’s Next?
The Patriots will continue their impressive run when they host the New York Jets on Thursday night.
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*Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the NFL season.*
https://www.sunjournal.com/2025/11/09/treveyon-henderson-leads-patriots-to-seventh-straight-win/
