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New England Patriots vs Buccaneers Match Player Stats

Daniel James Walker Mercer • 2026-05-24 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

You already know the score: New England 28, Tampa Bay 23. But what made this Week 10 matchup in 2025 worth remembering wasn’t just the final tally — between a rookie running back’s breakout, a quarterback’s near-perfect day, and one of the game’s most reliable receivers locking in a nice payday, the box score tells only part of the story.

Final Score: New England Patriots 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 ·
Total Net Yards (Patriots): 435 ·
Total Net Yards (Buccaneers): 371 ·
Penalties (Patriots): 5 for 49 yards ·
Penalties (Buccaneers): 6 for 40 yards

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Patriots (8-2) on a seven-game winning streak; next opponent not yet specified
  • Buccaneers (6-3) face pressure to stay ahead in NFC South
  • Mike Evans’ contract situation – bonus triggered but free agency looms
Metric New England Patriots Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final Score 28 23
Total Net Yards 435 371
Rushing Yards 166 (27 att) 113 (21 att)
Passing Yards 269 258
Time of Possession 27:35 32:25
Penalties 5 for 49 yds 6 for 40 yds
Third-Down Efficiency 5/12 (41.7%) 6/13 (46.2%)

Six key metrics show a game where the Patriots were more explosive but the Buccaneers controlled the clock. New England’s ability to generate big plays — Henderson’s 69- and 55-yard touchdown runs — outweighed Tampa Bay’s possession advantage.

Why did Mike Evans get 3 million dollars?

Mike Evans’ 2025 receiving yard milestone

  • Evans secured his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, a feat matched only by Jerry Rice in NFL history (CBS Sports recap).
  • The milestone automatically triggered a $3 million bonus written into his contract (Buccaneers.com official box score).

Comparison with Patriots wide receivers

One stark comparison: while Evans was celebrating his 1,000-yard season, no Patriots receiver topped 100 yards in this game. The team’s leading receiver hauled in just 68 yards, underscoring a spread-the-ball approach that contrasts with Tampa Bay’s reliance on a single star. New England Patriots preview (team preview) noted that the Patriots’ offense has succeeded despite lacking a 1,000-yard wideout.

Bottom line: Mike Evans is what a franchise wide receiver looks like — consistent elite production. For Tampa Bay: keep feeding him. For the Patriots: the committee approach works this year, but a true No. 1 remains absent.

The implication: Evans’ individual feat stands out against the Patriots’ collective approach, highlighting two different roster-building philosophies that both produced wins in Week 10.

What did Tom Brady say about Mike Evans?

Tom Brady’s public praise for Mike Evans

Tom Brady and current Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield posted a video on social media celebrating Evans’ achievement. The video’s title praised Evans’ longevity and dedication (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Facebook page (team social media)). The exact words Brady used were not transcribed in available game coverage.

Tom Brady’s history with the Buccaneers

Brady played for the Buccaneers from 2020–2022, winning Super Bowl LV. His decision to publicly back Evans carries weight, given that the two shared a Super Bowl-winning connection. The gesture also signals Brady’s continued support for his former teammate as Evans approaches free agency.

“We had to get Mike the ball — it was all about getting him the ball.”

— Todd Bowles, Buccaneers head coach, after the game (Buccaneers.com official team blog)

Who blew a 28-3 lead?

Super Bowl LI: Atlanta Falcons vs New England Patriots

The Atlanta Falcons infamously blew a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI (Feb 5, 2017). The Patriots, led by Tom Brady, scored 31 unanswered points to win 34-28 in overtime (Wikipedia (historical record)).

Key player stats from the 28-3 comeback

During that rally, Tom Brady completed 43 of 62 passes for 466 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back James White scored 3 total touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving) and had 14 catches for 110 yards — a Super Bowl record (Wikipedia (historical record)). The comeback remains the largest in Super Bowl history.

Why this matters

The 28-3 collapse haunted the Falcons for years. For the Patriots, it cemented the “never count us out” identity that capped their 2016 championship season.

The pattern: The Patriots’ ability to erase deficits has defined their dynasty, and Sunday’s win showed a new generation delivering explosive plays that echo that resilience.

What team lost 4 Super Bowls in a row?

Buffalo Bills four consecutive Super Bowl losses

The Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team to lose four straight Super Bowls: XXV (1990), XXVI (1991), XXVII (1992), and XXVIII (1993) (Wikipedia (NFL team history)). Each loss came against a different NFC opponent: Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, and Cowboys.

Comparison with Patriots dynasty era

While the Patriots dynasty (2001–2019) won six Super Bowls and appeared in nine, they never lost consecutive Super Bowls. New England’s only back-to-back losses were XLVI to the Giants and LII to the Eagles, but not in the same season sequence as Buffalo’s four.

What this means: The Bills’ misfortune remains unmatched, and the Patriots’ sustained excellence contrasts sharply with Buffalo’s heartbreak.

Who did the 17 0 Patriots lose to?

2007 New England Patriots undefeated regular season

The 2007 Patriots finished the regular season 16-0, becoming only the second NFL team (after the 1972 Dolphins) to go undefeated in a 16-game schedule. They outscored opponents by an average of nearly 20 points per game (Wikipedia (Super Bowl XLII recap)).

Super Bowl XLII loss to New York Giants

In Super Bowl XLII (Feb 3, 2008), the 12-6 New York Giants defeated the 18-0 Patriots 17-14. The game featured the famous “Helmet Catch” by David Tyree and a last-minute touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress (Wikipedia (Super Bowl recap)). It remains the greatest upset in NFL history.

The paradox

The 2007 Patriots were statistically the best team in NFL history through 19 games — but one loss erased the “perfect season.” That single defeat defined the franchise as much as any victory.

The catch: The 18-1 mark is a reminder that even dynasties can have a single moment that rewrites their legacy.

Comparison: Patriots vs Buccaneers Team Stats

Seven key metrics, one pattern: New England won the explosion battle while Tampa Bay won the efficiency war. The big plays swung the game.

Category Patriots Buccaneers
Total Yards 435 371
Passing Yards 269 258
Rushing Yards 166 113
Third Down Conv. 5/12 (42%) 6/13 (46%)
Turnovers 1 (INT) 0
Penalty Yards 49 40
Time of Possession 27:35 32:25

The implication: The Patriots’ offense is built to strike quickly — Henderson’s two long runs alone accounted for 124 of the 166 rushing yards. The Buccaneers’ ball-control attack kept the game close but couldn’t overcome the yardage deficit on explosive plays.

Key Performers Specs

Six notable individual stat lines from the game — available data shows a clear star in the backfield.

Player Team Position Stat Line
TreVeyon Henderson NE RB 147 rush yds, 2 TD (69, 55), career high
Drake Maye NE QB 16/31, 270 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Mike Evans TB WR 100+ rec yds (11th straight 1,000-yd season)
Baker Mayfield TB QB Not provided in available data
Rhamondre Stevenson NE RB Not provided in available data
Buccaneers Leading Receiver TB WR Not provided in available data

The gap in available data underscores how much this game was defined by Henderson’s breakout and Evans’ milestone.

Timeline: Key Moments in Patriots & Buccaneers History

  • Nov 9, 2025 – New England Patriots defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 in Week 10.
  • Feb 5, 2017 – Super Bowl LI: Patriots overcome 28-3 deficit to beat Atlanta Falcons. (see details)
  • Feb 3, 2008 – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants defeat 18-0 Patriots, ending perfect season. (see details)
  • 1993-1994 – Buffalo Bills lose fourth consecutive Super Bowl (XXVIII). (see details)

This timeline connects the 2025 game to the broader narrative of resilience and heartbreak in Patriots and Buccaneers history.

Clarity: What we know vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Patriots won 28-23 on Nov 9, 2025 (Buccaneers.com official box score)
  • Mike Evans earned $3M bonus for 11th straight 1,000-yard season (ESPN game summary)
  • TreVeyon Henderson set career high with 147 rushing yards (CBS Sports recap)

What’s unclear

  • Exact words of Tom Brady’s video tribute to Evans
  • Identity of “paralyzed Buccaneers player” mentioned in some search queries
  • Details behind the “deceased Buccaneers player” query (no verifiable report)

Separating verified data from open questions helps readers understand the limits of the available information.

Quotes from the Game

We had to get Mike the ball — it was all about getting him the ball.

— Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach (Buccaneers.com official team blog)

[Video title praising Evans’ longevity and dedication — exact words not transcribed]

— Tom Brady, former Buccaneers QB, via social media (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Facebook page (team social media))

Summary

The New England Patriots’ 28-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10 was defined by explosive plays and a franchise milestone. TreVeyon Henderson introduced himself to the league with a 147-yard performance, while Mike Evans quietly added another 1,000-yard season to his Hall of Fame résumé. For the Buccaneers, the loss dropped them to 6-3, and the challenge now is to build around an aging roster while Evans’ record-setting season raises the question of whether they can compete for a playoff spot. For the Patriots, the winning streak continues — the choice is clear: keep feeding Henderson and let the defense handle the rest.

Additional sources

espn.com, youtube.com

For a broader look at Tampa Bay’s recent performances, check out the 49ers vs Buccaneers player stats from their October 2025 game against San Francisco.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of the Patriots vs Buccaneers game in 2025?

New England Patriots 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 (CBS Sports recap).

How many total net yards did the Patriots have?

The Patriots had 435 total net yards (Buccaneers.com official box score).

How many total net yards did the Buccaneers have?

The Buccaneers had 371 total net yards (Fox Sports box score).

What was the penalty count for each team?

Patriots: 5 penalties for 49 yards; Buccaneers: 6 penalties for 40 yards (ESPN game summary).

Why did Mike Evans receive a $3 million bonus?

Mike Evans earned a $3 million bonus for recording his 11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season (Patriots.com preview).

What milestone did Mike Evans achieve in the 2025 season?

He reached 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th consecutive season, tying him with Jerry Rice for the longest streak in NFL history (Buccaneers.com game blog).

Related reading: 49ers vs Colts Match Player Stats · Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces Match Player Stats



Daniel James Walker Mercer

About the author

Daniel James Walker Mercer

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.