The Associated Press
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs catches a pass for a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Sunday.
TAMPA, Fla. — Mike Vrabel greeted players with a handshake and a statement: “NFC South champs!”
TreVeyon Henderson had touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards, Drake Maye threw two TD passes, and the New England Patriots beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 on Sunday for their seventh straight win.
Vrabel, in his first year coaching the team he won Super Bowls with as a player, has the Patriots (8-2) leading the AFC East after going 4-13 last season. The Patriots completed a four-game sweep of the NFC South with the victory over the Buccaneers, who lead the division they’ve won the last four years.
“It’s not always perfect but I love the way they compete,” Vrabel said. “It was a long game. It’s a tough place to play. It was a warm day and they’re good.”
After Maye threw an interception in the end zone, the Patriots made a big stop on fourth-and-3 at their own 27. Henderson then sealed the win with his 69-yard TD run.
The rookie finished with a career-high 147 yards rushing on 14 carries.
“It honestly felt good,” Henderson said. “This season comes with a lot of ups and downs in the NFL, but I thank God for the way he’s allowed it to go because he’s matured me a lot in my faith. He drew me closer to him. I’ve been trying to trust the process, being present in the moment and during game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, try my best to take advantage of it.”
The Buccaneers (6-3) were the first team in NFL history to have each of their first four wins of the season come on a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation. They had a chance to do it again when Tykee Smith intercepted Maye’s pass from the 2 in the end zone with 5:17 left.
But on fourth down, Baker Mayfield was swarmed by the defense and flipped a pass to Rachaad White that fell short of the first down just outside the red zone.
