Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) appears to go towards the Atlanta Falcons through the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photographs A beat-up Baker Mayfield appreciated the timing of Tampa Bay’s bye week, however he is able to kick it again into excessive gear when the Buccaneers host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Per week with out hits was good for the physique of Mayfield, who continues to be battling knee and indirect accidents heading into the conflict towards one of many NFL’s largest shock groups.
Tampa Bay gamers got seven consecutive days off by coach Todd Bowles, offering a psychological break in addition to the much-needed bodily reprieve.
“It positively helps getting relaxation,” Mayfield stated Wednesday, when he was a full observe participant. “(I used to be) nonetheless transferring my physique round a bit of bit, not letting your self get too sore, however then additionally simply the non-contact positively helps.”
Mayfield handed for a season-low 152 yards because the Buccaneers (6-2) recorded a 23-3 win over the host New Orleans Saints previous the bye.
Although his manufacturing dropped the previous two video games, Mayfield has thrown a number of landing passes 5 instances this yr. He has 1,919 passing yards and 13 touchdowns towards simply two interceptions.
The NFC South leaders ought to obtain a sturdy check from a New England squad that has excelled below first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
New England (7-2) holds a half-game lead over the Payments within the AFC East. The Patriots have received six consecutive video games, together with a formidable 23-20 win at Buffalo on Oct. 5.
Nonetheless, Vrabel is not trying too far forward.
“For us to sit down right here, suppose that something is huge open and speak about playoffs, we’re specializing in our tenth sport in a row,” Vrabel stated Wednesday. “That is what we’re centered on — how will we get our our bodies again? How will we get mentally ready, bodily ready to go on the highway to a spot that’s arduous to play?
“That is the place our focus is. It is not attempting to foretell the way forward for saying, ‘Effectively, it is huge open.’ We’re simply going to maintain specializing in what’s in entrance of us.”
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has stood out this season, throwing for two,285 yards and 17 touchdowns towards 4 interceptions.
Maye has been extremely constant, by no means reaching 300 yards and by no means falling under 200. He leads the NFL in completion charge at 74.1%.
The one evident space of enchancment wanted is figuring out when to throw the ball away or scramble. Maye has been sacked 34 instances, the second-highest determine within the league, together with six instances in every of the previous two video games.
“I believe you simply attempt to stability getting the soccer to the fellows which might be operating the routes, as a result of they’re higher gamers than I’m with the ball of their palms,” Maye stated.
Maye and Mayfield may very well be firing numerous passes as each defenses are stout towards the run. New England permits a league-low 75.4 dashing yards per sport, whereas the Buccaneers are seventh at 92.6.
Tampa Bay probably will probably be with out its finest operating again, Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), for the fifth straight sport. He has been missed, because the Bucs are twenty fourth in dashing offense (98.1 yards per sport).
“We obtained to dam it higher,” Bowles stated. “On the similar time, we obtained to know that we’re not going to hit our head up towards a brick wall. In the event that they obtained too many individuals up there, we obtained to throw it and loosen it up as properly.”
Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) did not observe on Wednesday after lacking the previous three video games. Linebackers Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) and Markees Watts (hand) additionally sat out.
5 gamers missed observe on Wednesday for New England — operating again Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), middle Garrett Bradbury (hip), defensive sort out Joshua Farmer (ankle) and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip).
In the latest assembly, Tampa Bay recorded a 19-17 highway victory in 2021. New England leads the all-time sequence 6-3.
–Area Degree Media
