New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made a decision that most coaches wouldn’t even dream of during the final drive of the first half against the Buccaneers on Sunday. After the Patriots picked up a first down with 1:52 left in the second quarter, Tampa Bay called its third and final timeout. With the ball on the 1-yard line, Vrabel had his quarterback, Drake Maye, essentially go to the ground on a fake QB sneak. In a deliberate effort not to score a touchdown, Maye dove to ensure that the Buccaneers would have less time on the clock to answer a potential touchdown before half. ð¨ð¨GENIUSð¨ð¨#Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had his quarterback Drake Maye purposely not score a touchdown at the 1-yard line…Tampa Bay was out of timeouts and now will not get the ball back.New England ran out the clock and scored a touchdown.pic.twitter.com/0yQ0iCGtJN— MLFootball (@MLFootball) November 9, 2025 This move was dubbed “genius” by color commentator Tony Romo, with one stipulation —the Patriots had to score. Story continues below advertisement On second down, TreVeyon Henderson was stuffed at the goal line for no gain. The next play was a toss to the outside with the same result. New England then stared at fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line after an unprecedented coaching decision on first down. Story continues below advertisement Luckily, Maye was able to connect with wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the corner of the end zone as time expired to give the Patriots a 14-10 halftime lead. Mike Vrabel bleeds the clock and on fourth and one, with time expired, a throw is called and a great play is executed. Vrabel to the broadcast crew: “we wanted to end the half with the ball in our hands.” Gutsy. @wmur9 #nepats pic.twitter.com/vZ3r0HNRI0— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleWMUR) November 9, 2025 The decision on first down resulted in the Patriots killing all two minutes remaining in the half, completely neutralizing any opportunity for Tampa Bay to answer. Story continues below advertisement Additionally, Vrabel’s Patriots would get the ball coming out of the halftime locker room.