The New England Patriots traveled to Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium for the first time since 2021 in Week 10.
It was a hard-fought game for the Patriots as they managed injuries throughout the game, which had their depth put to the test on the road in Week 10.
This game saw that the Patriots allowed a running back to run for 50-yards against them for the first time this season. They were also able to keep their undefeated road record alive (5-0).
Here are five takeaways from New England’s Week 10 28-23 win:
1. Patriots Backup Linebacker Shined in Starting Role
Backup linebacker Jack Gibbens made his fourth start of the season and led the team in tackles for the second time this season. He started in place of Christian Elliss in this game, finishing with 10 total tackles and had one for a loss.
Gibbens has been the top backup linebacker this season, having filled in for essential players during the season on defense while playing in most of the special teams packages.
It’s Gibbens’ style of play and understanding of the defensive system having played in it for Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans. He went on to play in 41 of 69 defensive snaps and 16 of 23 plays on special teams in this game.
2. Patriots Running Game Still Uncertain Without Rhamondre Stevenson
Although TreVeyon Henderson was on the field for the first play of the game, it was Terrell Jennings who had the first carry of the game for the Patriots after he was signed from the practice squad last week.
Jennings went on to have more work than Henderson in the first quarter, seeing four carries to Henderson’s two. That said, Jennings finished the first quarter with 5 yards, while Henderson had 16 in the quarter.
By having Henderson on the field in passing plays and Jennings for running plays, the Patriots offense will become predictable and easier to manipulate in the course of a game.
However, that opportunity didn’t happen in Week 10 as Jennings didn’t return to the field after the first quarter due to a knee injury. Although Henderson was able to carry the load, the Patriots are going to need more than just the rookie to get through the season.
With Rhamondre Stevenson already out, that left New England with only two running backs on the roster; Henderson, who was also looked at for an injury in the game, and practice squad call up D’Ernest Johnson.
3. Patriots QB Found Rhythm After First Quarter
After a rough first drive and first quarter for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, he was able to get into a rhythm to finish the first half by completing 11-of-19 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
It was the impressive defensive formations by Todd Bowles’ defense that proved to cause disruption for Maye and the offense. At one point, they pulled a zero blitz look that had just about everyone on the line of scrimmage, but Maye is too composed in the game to get beat by the same thing multiple times.
In the second half, Maye completed 5-of-12 for 90 yards and had a costly interception late in the fourth quarter. He relied on his three veterans the most in the game with Mack Hollins (10), Stefon Diggs (8), and Hunter Henry (4) totaling 22 targets for 12 of his 16 completions in the game.
What stood out in this game more than others from Maye is his capability of standing in the pocket just long enough to give his receiver a chance to make a play on a deep pass. Maye did it multiple times in this game and it stood out as a sign of progress in his development.
4. Patriots Rookie WR Finally Emerged in Meaningful Way
In the first game without deep threat wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, it was rookie Kyle Williams who stepped up for the offense in a similar role. In doing so, Maye and Williams connected for a 72-yard touchdown pass.
It took ten weeks, but this was the first game that Williams was able to contribute for the team in a meaningful way this season. That said, it was the only catch that Williams had in the game. But it is the kind of explosive result that the Patriots were expecting when they drafted him in the third round of this past draft, and we saw it in this game.
I thought it was worth noting that Williams logged more offensive snaps than DeMario Douglas, who’s been productive over the last few weeks. Williams played 34 snaps (56%) to Douglas’ 13 (21%). This could be just what the rookie needed to get things going within the offense.
5. Patriots Defense Struggled With WR Crossing Routes
Quarterback Baker Mayfield was able to pick apart New England’s defense, using his eyes to reset the secondary and pump fakes to get the defensive backs off balance.
It worked on the first drive of the game with rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who crossed over Christian Gonzalez for a gain of 24-yards. He also slipped away from Marcus Jones for a wide open touchdown.
Egbuka went on to finish the first half with three receptions for 76 yards (25.3 yards per reception) and he scored a touchdown. His receptions totaled over twenty-yards each and showed to be the go-to target for Mayfield.
The rookie receiver only caught three passes for 39 yards in the second half, finishing the game with six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. Egbuka made plays against the entire secondary for New England.
The Patriots secondary has struggled this season with defending the pass against top wide receivers but also against tight ends. This game showed that with Egbuka and Cade Otten combining for 15 receptions and 197 yards.