Patriots Outlast Bucs in a Sunshine Shootout
November 10, 2025
Two of the league’s top quarterbacks this season were facing off in Tampa with Drake Maye and Baker Mayfield finally getting a chance to go head to head. Both sides were not only looking to add to their win column but also measure themselves against a quality opponent from the opposite conference.
Drake Maye was ON in this one. He might’ve only thrown for two touchdowns but the 16 completions for 270 yards meant he was slinging it everywhere and finding his playmakers. He was able to connect with Kyle Williams for a 72 yard touchdown and the first of his career. With the Bucs playing tight defense, Maye was able to find Diggs for key completions. Including one of the most exciting one yard touchdown passes you might ever see. Diggs may not be the big time star that he was in seasons past, but he absolutely still has the juice to make big time plays and he came through anytime the offense needed him.
The Patriots TreVeyon Henderson busted out a 55 yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and another in the 4th to seal the 28-23 victory. There had been so many complaints, concerns, whatever you want to call it for the lack of a workload for the talented rookie back. With Rhamondre Stevenson out due to injury, that left Henderson with the backfield to himself and all he did was impress by putting up 150 total yards on the day. Interestingly, of all the weapons at Drake Maye’s disposal, it was Mack Hollins that led the charge with 6 receptions and 106 yards. Everything Josh McDaniels was dialing up for Maye was working in this one. Aside from that second half interception in the endzone!
Baker and the Bucs scored on their opening drive but didn’t reach the endzone again until the second half. The first touchdown of the day went to their rookie of the year candidate Emeka Egbuka. It was his 6th trip to the endzone on the year as he racked up 115 yards through the air. He nearly accounted for half of Baker’s production on the day despite going against the Patriots elite corner Christian Gonzalez. With Bucky Irving still out, Sean Tucker and Rachaad White split the ground work totaling 19 carries for 91 yards as a unit. Mayfield was protected well, only getting sacked twice, and they played a relatively clean game from a penalty stand point. They did fall down by two possessions late until Baker found Tez Johnson to draw a little closer. However, their onside attempt was recovered by the Patriots and this one was over.
This game came with everything you’d expect from two quarterbacks operating their offenses to near perfection. New England achieved a little bit extra with the win as the Bills surprisingly dropped one to the Dolphins. Tampa Bay will head to Buffalo next week and try to get back on track against a Bills team looking to do the same.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
The Goal Line Grind 