The Patriots executed a “smash” concept during their game where tight end Hunter Henry ran an underneath route while Stefon Diggs took a corner route. The cornerback had to make a choice: if he stayed with Henry, the pass went to Diggs. If he drifted into zone coverage, the ball went back to Henry. The Bucs switched their receiver coverage, giving Diggs a great position, and he scored easily.
New England is optimistic about getting receiver Kayshon Boutte back soon. It’s encouraging that they can rely on other players and still see success on the field.
Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ standout cornerback, faced off against Bucs first-round pick Emeka Egbuka. Gonzalez covered him on 32 routes, allowing only three catches for 56 yards on nine targets. He excelled in man coverage, limiting Egbuka to just one catch for 11 yards in nine matchups. Matching him against the opponent’s top receiver plays to Gonzalez’s strengths, but Egbuka still managed significant plays when they switched coverage.
The running back situation continues to be a challenge for New England. Terrell Jennings left the game with a knee injury, adding to their woes. While Henderson shone, scoring twice, he also faced injuries but returned to contribute. The team’s depth is tested, especially with Rhamondre Stevenson still recovering from a toe issue. D’Ernest Johnson stepped in briefly, but the running back corps remains thin.
On the offensive line, the Patriots faced a tough challenge against the Bucs’ aggressive defense. Rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson did well, allowing only two pressures each. However, defensive tackle Vita Vea proved to be a formidable opponent, causing five pressures, mostly against center Garrett Bradbury. Despite this, the Patriots managed some significant runs, and quarterback Derek Maye handled himself well under pressure.
The special teams had a mixed day. Rookie kicker Andy Borregales was solid with four successful extra points. However, punter Bryce Baringer struggled, and there were penalties on punt returns. Also, Marcus Jones muffed a punt, though nothing catastrophic occurred overall. There’s definitely room for improvement here.
In coaching, there’s a saying: “We learn from winning, not losing.” The Patriots showed resilience in a tough environment. Their playoff hopes remain alive as they continue their journey this season.
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Game Observations,Postgame-Content,Postgame Analysis,Analysis,hp-article,hp-featured,New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025-REG-10)
