New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
The new england patriots vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats from November 9, 2025, show how New England secured a 28-23 road victory despite Tampa Bay producing more passing completions and three touchdown passes. The Patriots balanced their attack with 166 rushing yards, 270 passing yards, and two explosive touchdown runs from TreVeyon Henderson, while Tampa Bay relied heavily on Baker Mayfield’s 273 passing yards and a 115-yard receiving performance from Emeka Egbuka. The result moved New England to 8-2 overall and 5-0 on the road, while Tampa Bay fell to 6-3.
This was not simply a case of one quarterback outperforming another. Mayfield actually finished with the better passer rating, completing 28 of 43 attempts for 273 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Drake Maye completed 16 of 31 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Yet New England controlled the most important part of the game through explosive rushing plays, efficient scoring possessions, and the ability to answer Tampa Bay whenever the Buccaneers threatened to take control.
The final score also hides an important detail. New England scored exactly seven points in every quarter. Tampa Bay scored seven in the first quarter, three in the second, six in the third and seven in the fourth. That consistency allowed the Patriots to withstand Tampa Bay’s late push and leave Tampa with a five-point victory.
Game Overview
The matchup took place on November 9, 2025, with Tampa Bay entering the game at 6-2 following its bye week and New England arriving with a 7-2 record. The Patriots ultimately improved to 8-2, while Tampa Bay dropped to 6-3. ESPN’s Week 10 analysis described the contest as a significant test for New England against a Tampa Bay team that had been leading the NFC South.
Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 23 |
The scoring pattern tells us something important about the game. New England never experienced a scoreless quarter. That matters because Tampa Bay was never able to create a sustained stretch in which the Patriots’ offense disappeared.
Tampa Bay opened strongly, but New England answered before the end of the first quarter. The Buccaneers then managed only three points in the second quarter, allowing the Patriots to establish a 14-10 halftime advantage.
The third quarter produced the biggest momentum shift. Henderson broke free for a 55-yard touchdown, and Tampa Bay answered with a touchdown pass to Tez Johnson, although the Buccaneers failed on the two-point conversion. New England then extended its lead again in the fourth quarter when Henderson delivered another explosive touchdown run, this time from 69 yards.
New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
The most useful way to understand this game is to separate quarterback production from overall offensive efficiency.
New England finished with 166 rushing yards and 270 passing yards. Tampa Bay produced 113 rushing yards and 273 passing yards. The passing totals were almost identical, but the rushing difference was substantial.
New England averaged 6.1 yards per rushing attempt compared with Tampa Bay’s 5.4. More importantly, the Patriots scored two rushing touchdowns while Tampa Bay failed to score a rushing touchdown.
That difference helped determine the outcome.
Quarterback Comparison
| Player | Comp/Att | Passing Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| Drake Maye | 16/31 | 270 | 2 | 1 | 89.4 |
| Baker Mayfield | 28/43 | 273 | 3 | 0 | 106.1 |
At first glance, Mayfield appears to have had the stronger statistical performance.
He completed 28 passes compared with Maye’s 16. He threw three touchdown passes without an interception. His passer rating was 106.1, comfortably above Maye’s 89.4.
But quarterback statistics need context.
Maye was asked to operate an offense that did not require him to throw the ball 40 or more times. New England’s rushing attack created enough explosive plays to reduce the need for volume passing. Maye still averaged 8.7 yards per attempt and produced two touchdown passes.
Mayfield, meanwhile, attempted 43 passes. Tampa Bay needed more from its passing game because its rushing attack did not produce a touchdown and generated 53 fewer rushing yards than New England.
This is one of the most important lessons from the game. A quarterback can have the better statistical passing line while his team still loses because football outcomes are determined by the complete offensive structure.
Drake Maye’s Performance
Drake Maye finished 16 of 31 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, with an 89.4 passer rating. ESPN’s box score records his passing output at 270 yards, while the team passing line reflects the impact of the sack on the overall offensive totals.
His most important contribution was not necessarily volume. It was his ability to create explosive plays without having to dominate the game through sheer passing attempts.
Maye connected with Kyle Williams for a 72-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first quarter. That single play immediately erased Tampa Bay’s early advantage and demonstrated the Patriots’ ability to generate points quickly.
He later connected with Stefon Diggs for a one-yard touchdown to close the second quarter.
Maye also contributed 13 rushing yards on seven attempts. Those yards were not a major part of his overall production, but they helped keep the offense balanced.
Why Maye’s Numbers Matter
The most interesting part of Maye’s performance is the relationship between his passing volume and New England’s rushing success.
He threw only 31 passes.
Henderson carried the ball 14 times.
That balance meant New England did not need Maye to repeatedly manufacture first downs through the air. The Patriots could use the threat of Maye’s passing while allowing their rushing attack to create the biggest plays.
The result was an offense that generated 28 points without requiring its quarterback to produce a massive completion total.
Baker Mayfield’s Performance
Baker Mayfield completed 28 of 43 attempts for 273 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 106.1 passer rating was one of the strongest individual statistical performances in the game.
The problem for Tampa Bay was that Mayfield’s efficiency did not translate into enough points.
Three touchdown passes should normally put a team in an excellent position to win. Tampa Bay also moved the ball effectively through the air, completing 28 passes and producing 273 yards.
However, the Buccaneers struggled to match New England’s explosiveness on the ground.
Mayfield was also sacked twice for 15 yards. Those negative plays mattered because New England’s defense did enough to make Tampa Bay work for its scoring opportunities.
The quarterback did not lose the game because of turnovers. In fact, he protected the football extremely well.
The larger issue was that Tampa Bay’s offensive production was more dependent on sustained drives, while New England repeatedly found explosive plays.
TreVeyon Henderson Was the Difference Maker
If one player best explains the final result, it is TreVeyon Henderson.
Henderson rushed 14 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 10.5 yards per carry and produced a 69-yard run as his longest play.
His two touchdowns came from 55 and 69 yards.
That is extraordinary efficiency.
Henderson’s rushing total represented nearly 89 percent of New England’s total rushing production. His two touchdown runs also accounted for a major portion of the Patriots’ scoring.
The first explosive run came early in the third quarter. Henderson took a 55-yard run into the end zone, extending New England’s lead to 21-10.
His second touchdown came with only 1:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 69-yard run pushed the Patriots ahead 28-16 and gave Tampa Bay very little margin for error.
Tampa Bay scored another touchdown with 33 seconds left, but the late response was not enough.
The Explosive-Play Factor
Henderson’s performance should be viewed beyond the basic 147-yard total.
New England had only 27 rushing attempts.
That means the Patriots did not need an enormous number of carries to produce a strong rushing attack. Instead, they maximized the value of their opportunities.
The two touchdown runs accounted for 124 yards.
That means the rest of Henderson’s 12 carries produced 23 yards.
This is a classic example of why average yards per carry can sometimes be misleading. Henderson’s overall 10.5 average was spectacular, but the deeper story is that two explosive plays transformed the game.
ESPN’s Week 10 analysis noted that Henderson reached a top speed of 22.01 mph on the 55-yard touchdown run and 21.38 mph on the 69-yard touchdown run. The same analysis also highlighted Kyle Williams’ 21.78 mph top speed on his 72-yard touchdown reception.
New England did not simply move the ball. It produced game-changing plays.
Mack Hollins Leads New England Receivers
Mack Hollins led the Patriots with six receptions for 106 yards on 10 targets.
His 17.7 yards per reception showed how New England created substantial yardage through the passing game without needing a high completion total.
Hollins’ longest reception went for 54 yards.
He did not score a touchdown, but his ability to generate field position and explosive yardage was a major part of the passing attack.
New England Receiving Production
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long | Targets |
| Mack Hollins | 6 | 106 | 0 | 54 | 10 |
| Kyle Williams | 1 | 72 | 1 | 72 | 2 |
| Stefon Diggs | 5 | 46 | 1 | 19 | 8 |
| DeMario Douglas | 2 | 34 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| Hunter Henry | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 4 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Kyle Williams deserves special attention.
He caught only one pass, but that reception went for 72 yards and a touchdown. From a fantasy football perspective, a one-catch performance may look small. From a game-impact perspective, it was enormous.
The touchdown came with no time remaining in the first quarter and tied the game at 7-7.
This is a useful reminder that reception totals do not always measure offensive impact accurately.
Emeka Egbuka Leads Tampa Bay Receivers
Emeka Egbuka was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver with six receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown.
He averaged 19.2 yards per reception and produced a 31-yard long reception.
His touchdown opened the scoring for Tampa Bay. Mayfield found Egbuka for a 21-yard touchdown with 11:23 remaining in the first quarter.
Tampa Bay Receiving Production
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long | Targets |
| Emeka Egbuka | 6 | 115 | 1 | 31 | 13 |
| Cade Otton | 9 | 82 | 0 | 16 | 12 |
| Tez Johnson | 4 | 42 | 2 | 12 | 5 |
| Sterling Shepard | 3 | 20 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| Rachaad White | 5 | 16 | 0 | 13 | 5 |
| Payne Durham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Egbuka’s performance was particularly efficient considering the amount of attention he received.
He accounted for 115 of Tampa Bay’s 273 receiving yards, which means he generated more than 42 percent of the team’s receiving yardage.
Cade Otton also played an important role, catching nine passes for 82 yards. His nine receptions were the highest total among all Tampa Bay players.
Tez Johnson was the team’s touchdown specialist, catching four passes for 42 yards and two scores.
That distribution shows why Tampa Bay remained competitive until the final seconds.
Tampa Bay’s Rushing Attack
Sean Tucker led the Buccaneers with nine carries for 53 yards.
He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and had an 18-yard long run.
Rachaad White added 38 yards on 10 carries, while Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson each contributed 11 rushing yards.
The Buccaneers finished with 21 carries for 113 yards, an average of 5.4 yards per attempt.
Those numbers are respectable.
The problem is that Tampa Bay did not turn those rushing opportunities into touchdowns.
New England’s 166 rushing yards were accompanied by two touchdowns. Tampa Bay’s 113 yards produced zero.
That five-point final margin makes the scoring efficiency particularly important.
Defensive Player Stats
The defensive statistics reveal another layer of the matchup.
New England recorded 74 total tackles, 31 solo tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss, five passes defended and five quarterback hits.
Tampa Bay recorded 53 total tackles, 34 solo tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, five passes defended and six quarterback hits.
New England Defensive Leaders
Jack Gibbens led the Patriots with 10 total tackles and five solo tackles.
Christian Gonzalez and Robert Spillane each recorded nine tackles.
Craig Woodson added eight tackles.
New England’s defense did not completely shut down Tampa Bay’s passing attack. Mayfield still threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
Instead, the Patriots defense made enough critical plays to keep the Buccaneers from converting their offensive production into a winning total.
Two sacks and five quarterback hits were part of that effort.
Tampa Bay Defensive Leaders
Lavonte David led Tampa Bay with nine total tackles and six solo tackles.
Tykee Smith recorded eight tackles and also intercepted Drake Maye.
That interception was Tampa Bay’s only takeaway through the interception category.
The Buccaneers’ defense also produced one sack and six quarterback hits.
Tykee Smith’s interception was important because it prevented a clean passing game from Maye. However, the defense could not consistently contain New England’s explosive rushing plays.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Turnovers are often a major factor in close NFL games, but this matchup did not feature a large turnover battle.
Tampa Bay recorded no fumbles.
New England’s Marcus Jones fumbled once but recovered it himself.
Mayfield threw no interceptions.
Maye threw one interception, which was caught by Tykee Smith.
That gives Tampa Bay a clear advantage in turnover margin, yet the Buccaneers still lost.
This is one of the strongest statistical lessons from the matchup.
Winning the turnover battle does not guarantee victory if the opponent produces substantially more explosive scoring plays.
New England gave Tampa Bay only one interception, while Henderson’s two long touchdown runs and Williams’ 72-yard touchdown reception created a larger scoring impact.
Special Teams Statistics
Special teams did not dominate the final score, but the numbers help explain field-position management.
Andy Borregales converted all four of New England’s extra-point attempts and scored four points.
Chase McLaughlin made his only field-goal attempt from 36 yards and converted both extra points for five total points.
New England punter Bryce Baringer punted five times for 248 yards, averaging 49.6 yards per punt with a long of 59 yards.
Tampa Bay punter Riley Dixon punted six times for 258 yards, averaging 43.0 yards with a long of 50.
Baringer’s higher average helped New England create stronger field-position opportunities when drives ended without points.
Return Game
Efton Chism III returned two kickoffs for 45 yards for New England.
Kameron Johnson returned two kickoffs for 48 yards for Tampa Bay.
Marcus Jones returned three punts for three yards.
Johnson returned two Tampa Bay punts for 12 yards.
Neither team produced a return touchdown.
How the Scoring Plays Shaped the Game
The scoring sequence is particularly useful for understanding why New England won.
Tampa Bay opened the game with Egbuka’s 21-yard touchdown reception.
New England answered with Williams’ 72-yard touchdown reception.
The Buccaneers then added a 36-yard field goal, but the Patriots responded with a long 14-play drive ending in Maye’s one-yard touchdown pass to Diggs.
At halftime, New England led 14-10.
Henderson’s 55-yard touchdown run expanded the lead early in the third quarter.
Tampa Bay responded with Johnson’s 10-yard touchdown reception, but the failed two-point attempt left the score 21-16.
That missed conversion became relevant later.
Henderson’s 69-yard touchdown run made it 28-16 with 1:31 remaining.
Tampa Bay scored another touchdown with 33 seconds left, but the Buccaneers could not complete the comeback.
The final margin was five points.
What the Numbers Say About New England
The most important takeaway from the Patriots’ statistics is balance.
New England produced:
- 270 passing yards
- 166 rushing yards
- 436 total offensive yards when combining the two categories
- 6.1 yards per rushing attempt
- Two rushing touchdowns
- Two passing touchdowns
- No lost fumbles
- Two defensive sacks
The Patriots did not rely exclusively on Maye.
They did not rely exclusively on Henderson either.
Instead, the offense created multiple ways to score.
Maye supplied the passing efficiency.
Henderson supplied the explosive rushing plays.
Hollins provided consistent receiving production.
Williams delivered a single massive touchdown.
Diggs added a red-zone touchdown.
That combination made the Patriots difficult to defend.
What the Numbers Say About Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay’s statistics tell a different story.
The Buccaneers produced:
- 273 passing yards
- 113 rushing yards
- Three passing touchdowns
- Zero rushing touchdowns
- 28 completions
- One interception by the defense
- One sack
- 43 passing targets distributed across the receiving group
The offense was productive.
It simply was not as explosive in the moments that mattered most.
Mayfield’s 273 passing yards were nearly identical to Maye’s 270. Tampa Bay actually completed 12 more passes.
Yet New England scored five more points.
That gap illustrates why raw yardage should never be used as the only measure of performance.
The Biggest Statistical Mismatch
The biggest mismatch was explosive rushing production.
New England rushed for 166 yards.
Tampa Bay rushed for 113.
That 53-yard difference is meaningful, but the way those yards were produced matters even more.
Henderson alone generated 147 yards.
His two touchdown runs totaled 124 yards.
Tampa Bay did not have an equivalent explosive rushing performance.
The Buccaneers’ leading rusher, Tucker, finished with 53 yards.
That meant New England had a player who could change the scoreboard with a single carry.
Tampa Bay did not.
A Closer Look at Offensive Efficiency
There is another useful way to view the game.
New England had 27 rushing attempts and 31 pass attempts, creating a relatively balanced offensive distribution.
Tampa Bay had 21 rushing attempts and 43 pass attempts.
That difference shows how the game developed.
The Buccaneers threw the ball 12 more times than New England.
That was not necessarily because Mayfield was inefficient. He was not. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes and finished with a 106.1 passer rating.
Rather, Tampa Bay needed the passing game to carry more of the offense.
New England had the luxury of leaning on Henderson.
That difference in offensive dependency was crucial.
Why the Patriots Won
The simplest explanation is explosive scoring.
New England produced three offensive touchdowns through plays of at least 55 yards:
- Kyle Williams, 72-yard touchdown reception
- TreVeyon Henderson, 55-yard touchdown run
- TreVeyon Henderson, 69-yard touchdown run
Those three plays alone produced 196 yards and 21 points.
That is the heart of the game.
Tampa Bay generated 23 points, but New England found three enormous scoring plays that repeatedly changed the game’s momentum.
The Patriots also scored in every quarter.
That consistency prevented Tampa Bay from creating a prolonged comeback window.
Why Tampa Bay Lost Despite Mayfield’s Strong Numbers
Tampa Bay did many things well.
Mayfield protected the football.
Egbuka produced 115 receiving yards.
Otton caught nine passes.
The team averaged 5.4 yards per rushing attempt.
The defense intercepted Maye.
The Buccaneers even finished with more passing completions.
But the Patriots were more dangerous when opportunities appeared.
A team can dominate short and medium gains while still losing to an opponent that produces several explosive plays.
That is essentially what happened here.
Tampa Bay moved the ball.
New England changed the scoreboard.
Fantasy Football Takeaways
Although this article focuses on game analysis rather than fantasy football, the individual numbers offer several useful lessons.
TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson’s 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns made him the standout fantasy performer from New England’s backfield.
The most important indicator was not just the yardage. It was his ability to produce touchdowns on long runs.
Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka’s six receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown represented a strong receiving performance.
His 13 targets also show that he was heavily involved in Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield’s three touchdowns and zero interceptions produced a strong quarterback line even in defeat.
The lack of a rushing touchdown from the Buccaneers limited the overall offensive ceiling.
Mack Hollins
Hollins produced 106 receiving yards on six catches.
His 54-yard reception and 17.7 yards per catch demonstrate the value of explosive receiving production even without a touchdown.
What This Game Reveals About Team Building
One of the broader lessons from this matchup is that offensive balance is not simply about having similar rushing and passing totals.
True balance means having multiple ways to win.
New England could win through the passing game.
- It could win through Henderson’s rushing.
- It could score quickly through explosive plays.
- It could sustain drives.
Tampa Bay had a productive passing attack, but New England’s defensive pressure and rushing advantage forced the Buccaneers into a more pass-heavy approach.
The Patriots therefore had more flexibility in how they attacked the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Patriots vs Buccaneers game on November 9, 2025?
The New England Patriots defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 on November 9, 2025. New England scored seven points in each quarter, while Tampa Bay finished with 7, 3, 6 and 7 points.
Who was the leading rusher in the game?
TreVeyon Henderson was the leading rusher. He carried 14 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 10.5 yards per carry. His longest runs were 69 and 55 yards.
How did Drake Maye perform against Tampa Bay?
Drake Maye completed 16 of 31 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He finished with an 89.4 passer rating.
How did Baker Mayfield perform?
Baker Mayfield completed 28 of 43 passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passer rating was 106.1.
Who led Tampa Bay in receiving?
Emeka Egbuka led Tampa Bay with six receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded the Buccaneers’ first touchdown of the game on a 21-yard reception.
Why did New England win despite Tampa Bay having the better quarterback statistics?
New England won because it produced more explosive scoring plays and had a stronger rushing performance. The Patriots rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, while Tampa Bay rushed for 113 yards and no touchdowns. New England also scored in every quarter.
Conclusion
The new england patriots vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats provide a strong example of why football games cannot be judged by quarterback numbers or total passing yardage alone.
Baker Mayfield had the stronger statistical passing performance, throwing for 273 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Drake Maye threw for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
But TreVeyon Henderson changed the game.
His 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns included runs of 55 and 69 yards. Those explosive plays gave New England a scoring advantage that Tampa Bay could not overcome.
The Patriots also received 106 receiving yards from Mack Hollins and a 72-yard touchdown from Kyle Williams. On defense, Jack Gibbens led the team with 10 tackles, while the unit recorded two sacks and five quarterback hits.
Tampa Bay had its own standout performances. Egbuka recorded 115 receiving yards and a touchdown, Cade Otton caught nine passes for 82 yards, and Lavonte David finished with nine tackles. Mayfield’s clean passing performance also kept the Buccaneers competitive until the final seconds.
Ultimately, the statistics point to one central difference: New England was more explosive when it mattered most. The Patriots turned a balanced offensive approach into three huge scoring plays, while Tampa Bay relied more heavily on sustained passing production.
That combination of rushing explosiveness, balanced offense and consistent quarter-by-quarter scoring explains how New England left Tampa Bay with a 28-23 victory and improved to 8-2 on the season.
