The New England Patriots are heading to Tampa for an exciting matchup against the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This game marks a rare encounter between the two teams, with their last meeting occurring in 2021 when Tom Brady returned to Gillette Stadium just a year after departing from the Patriots. Since that time, numerous changes have transpired within both franchises, making this upcoming contest particularly intriguing. To gain deeper insights into the Patriots' Week 10 opponent, we reached out to Evan Wanish from Pats Pulpit’s sister site, Bucs Nation, which is part of the SB Nation community dedicated to all things Buccaneers. Below is an overview of his thoughts regarding the impending clash.
The Bucs’ offense has faced significant challenges this season, particularly due to injuries to key players at wide receiver and on the right side of their offensive line. Throughout the season, Tampa Bay has dealt with a revolving door of players in and out of the lineup. Recently, however, these absences have become increasingly apparent, particularly over the last two games. The offensive dynamics have shifted, and the Buccaneers are now tasked with finding solutions as they head into the latter part of the season. Baker Mayfield, the team's quarterback, will need to step up and lead the offense until they can reinstate essential players like Chris Godwin Jr, Bucky Irving, and Mike Evans.
Baker Mayfield uncomfortable, defenses have focused on applying consistent pressure—a fundamental strategy for disrupting any quarterback. The key to success lies in getting him off his spot early in the game. If Mayfield can establish a rhythm and find early success, it can bolster his confidence for the duration of the match. Conversely, when he is forced to rush his passes or take sacks, especially given his current physical condition, the offense struggles significantly.
Drake Maye, head coach Todd Bowles is expected to employ his typical strategy of blitzing frequently. Bowles is known for presenting exotic looks that compel quarterbacks like Maye to second-guess where the pressure will come from. While this high-risk approach can sometimes lead to splash plays for the defense, it also requires Maye and the Patriots to have a strategy in place to quickly release the ball and stay on schedule, avoiding those challenging third-and-long situations.
Patriots’ offense, the Buccaneers' run defense is one of the top units in the league, which complicates the task of identifying specific players to target for rushing attempts. While yards may be hard to come by on the ground, the passing game presents different opportunities. Notably, linebacker SirVocea Dennis has proven to be a formidable presence in run defense and blitzing, yet he still has room for improvement in pass coverage. The Patriots should consider avoiding passes towards cornerback Jamel Dean, who has had a resurgence this season, leading the team with three interceptions.
New England Patriots manage to pull off an upset on the road, it would likely indicate that the Buccaneers' offense is still struggling to find its rhythm due to the absence of key players. The Patriots could also capitalize on Drake Maye effectively exposing Todd Bowles’ blitz strategies and converting on big plays while avoiding turnovers and third-and-long scenarios. Conversely, if the Buccaneers secure a victory, it will likely be due to their offense regaining its momentum and the defense continuing its trend of creating turnovers and converting them into points.
