First Quarter:
Tampa Bay’s ball first, Tampa Bay’s touchdown first. The Buccaneers took less than four minutes to maneuverer their way down the field and into the end zone. Baker Mayfield, coming off back-to-back subpar
outings got the ball rolling early and rolled that ball to now healthy again wide receiver Emeka Egbuka— Two of Baker’s three completions, 45 yards, and a six-point score. 7-0, Buccaneers.
Tampa’s offense set the bar high and the team’s defense maintained the standard. Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense were able to convert a fourth down on their opening drive, however, the drive stalled soon after with third down Drake Maye over throw. A clear-skied opening drive for the Buccaneers was audibled to a stormy rain-filled drive number two for New England, before the game’s third drive feature Tampa Bay and clear skies again. The Buccaneers’ offense failed to take advantage of being in the weather’s good graces with their first punt of the game.
Backed up on their own six-yard line matched Tampa punt for punt. The Bucs’ third opportunity on the field looked a lot like their second. Following more Riley Dixon than Bucs’ fans care to see, the Patriots’ offense came to life. One play, 78 yards, and a touchdown. Drake Maye to Kyle Williams— 7-7.
Second Quarter:
More points wouldn’t find their way onto the scoreboard until the final eight minutes of the first half. Baker Mayfield’s second big hook up of the game with Emeka Egbuka got the Buccaneers down into range for a Chase McLaughlin field goal. Kick up, kick good— 10-7, Bucs.
Tampa’s three point lead was quickly threatened. New England’s next drive was very Drake Maye-centric and aside from his one-off deep strike touchdown to Kyle Williams, appeared to be the first time New England’s young passer got his feet get underneath him. Using those feet he took his team all the way to Tampa’s goal line. A yard away from scoring, the Patriots decided to take a strategy out of a Madden player’s arsenal. With first and goal at the one-yard line, New England sacrificed a play for the sake of controlling the clock. The Patriots arrogantly opted to have Drake Maye take the snap and lay down rather than attempt to score. That decision allowed the them to drain every last second off of the clock. Tampa Bay was unable to make them pay for their arrogance as the sequence’s fourth down featured a Drake Maye to Stefon Diggs touchdown. 17-14, Patriots.
Third Quarter:
CBS should’ve gave Bucs’ fans a warning coming into the second half to avert their eyes. Half one ends with a Patriots touchdown, half two begins with a Patriots touchdown. 24-14, New England.
Two punts later, a backed up Tampa Bay offense sparkled. Run game and pass game worked in unison, taking Tampa down the field. Long drives that end in touchdown warm fan’s hearts like a delicious home cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Baker Mayfield and Tez Johnson treated the Tampa Bay faithful to just that when they cheffed game-rallying score. As Tampa fans have come to know— if Tez Johnson scores, Tez Johnson will gymnasti—cize the endzone. Two point trickery fails— 21-16, Patriots.
Fourth Quarter:
The fourth quarter started slowed, for Tampa Bay in particular. It remained slow until a third and fifteen deep shot— Drake Maye t0 Mack Hollins, gave the Patriots a chance to put a dagger in Tampa Bay. Set up in scoring position, the with a dagger in their hand, the Patriot’s offense fumbled the opportunity for a close-out. Tykee Smith, after walloping Drake Maye on a sideline, scramble stepped in front of the quarterback’s pass in the end zone for the game’s first turnover.
Baker Mayfield in the clutch has worked out in Tampa’s favor all season. Week 10 against the New England Patriots, however, will not be a part of that remix. Insult to injury came on the game’s next drive— 28-16, Patriots. Garbage time points got Tampa within a score— 28-23.
Following the display Tampa has put on the field in each of its last three contests, the question starts to set in— How good are the 2025 Tampa Bay Bucs actually?
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