The Buccaneers are back from their bye week and things are looking good as they currently sit at 6-2 on the season after a convincing win against the Saints in week eight. Now though they have a tough
part of their schedule as their next three games are all against teams with records well above .500.
First up are the 7-2 New England Patriots, who have won six straight. To get a better read on this matchup, we spoke with Taylor Kyles of Pats Pulpit to give us an inside scoop on how New England has been doing this year.
1. With the Patriots sitting at 7-2 and winners of six straight, it has been an impressive one-year turnaround. What would you say is the biggest reason for this quick of an improvement?
“I’d say the trifecta of Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye, and Josh McDaniels deserves the most credit. Vrabel has brought a level of credibility, attention to detail, and organizational vision that was much needed after last season. He also did a great job filling the staff with both old and new faces this offseason. Drake Maye proved to be a fast learner and rare playmaker as a rookie, but he’s turned better coaching and a more competent supporting cast into an MVP campaign. While ball security and unnecessarily long dropbacks remain significant areas for improvement, Maye is well ahead of schedule, and his offensive coordinator is a big reason why. McDaniels may not be head coach material, but he’s one of the league’s best play-designers, game-planners, and play-callers. The Patriots’ offense is maximizing talent and operating at a respectable level for the first time since he left after the 2021 season, which has contributed to breakout seasons for Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, as well as a resurgence for Stefon Diggs.”
2. Drake Maye is playing like an MVP candidate right now. What has made him really stand out this season?
“Maye’s gotten better protection and trusts his receivers this season, allowing him to show off his rare arm talent more consistently. He’s on a historic pace on deep passes, and he’s much more consistently accurate overall than most expected when he was coming out of UNC. Maye has also been one of the league’s most dangerous scramblers since last season, and while it can be a crutch at times, it’s something defenses must be wary of, or he’ll rip off explosive gains. Outside of the physical talent, Maye’s ability to process coverages and decipher disguises has been incredible to watch for a 23-year-old. He isn’t afraid to test the honey hole in Cover 2, which could present some interesting matchups given how competitive Tampa’s corners have been on the outside.”
3. Who is one underrated player on the Patriots that Bucs fans should keep an eye on that could have a big impact on the game?
“DeMario Douglas has been miscast as a shifty underneath target for most of his career, but the reality is, he’s a dangerous downfield threat who’s very difficult to cover one-on-one. Douglas should’ve had over 160 yards and two touchdowns on his first two catches against the Saints, but the second was called back for a phantom penalty. I’m not sure how many other receivers’ career stats are further from their on-field play than Douglas’, but he’s an explosive pass-catcher who could see more targets with deep threat Kayshon Boutte out.”
4. When looking at this game, what is your X factor matchup?
“Running back TreVeyon Henderson got off to a slow start this regular season, but he’s had back-to-back career performances. The Ohio State product will be asked to help carry the ground game, pick up blitzers, and serve as a quick outlet from the backfield, which is much easier said than done. That said, if Henderson can keep his quarterback clean and maximize his touches, it would make life much easier on everyone around him.”
5. What is your score prediction and how do you see this one shaking out?
“I’m predicting the Patriots to pull off the upset 20-13. Drake Maye has at least one or two drives a game where he locks in and feels inevitable, which is how I predict New England puts up two touchdowns. Baker Mayfield is one of my favorite quarterbacks playing right now, but the Patriots’ secondary of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones might be too much for the young tandem of Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson. Unless the defense sleeps on Cade Otton, I think Tampa will have a tough time moving the football.”
Thanks so much to Taylor for doing this!
