Before Sunday, the New England Patriots had just one touchdown from scrimmage longer than 50 yards and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hadn’t allowed any of that length.
But on Sunday, the Patriots offense landed three game-changing home run touchdowns.
The first was Kyle Williams’ 72-yard TD from Drake Maye on the last play of the first quarter. It tied the game 7-7 and woke a struggling Patriots offense.
Before that, Williams had just two catches for 20 yards all season. But with Kayshon Boutte out, he took advantage.
“I don’t think words can really put an explanation on that feeling. We got the look we wanted. Shout out to Drake for the alert,” Williams said. “He picked me and I saw green grass and it was bon voyage after that.”
Williams said he’d been waiting for a shot.
“We always say prepare as a starter. I took that to heart this week. I knew what was at stake. When you get an opportunity, you’re not promised another one,” he said. “For me, it was just making the most of it. I’m proud of myself.”
Maye marveled at his speed.
“Kyle got out the back door. You’re not going to catch him,” Maye said. “I’m proud of him for stepping up. He had one target and made it count. There were plays he was probably more open. I just have to look his way.”
Vrabel tipped his cap.
“Kyle’s play early — We really needed that one," Vrabel said. “We talked about needing one play and he hit it. It was great to see him have that success.”
With Rhamondre Stevenson out and Terrell Jennings injured early, TreVeyon Henderson took advantage. He rushed 55 yards for a touchdown early in the third and broke through again for a 69-yard score early in the fourth.
“It honestly felt good. (There’re) a lot of ups and downs here in the NFL and I’m learning that,” he said. “I’ve been just trying to trust the process, being present in the moment and just trying to put in the days, each and every practice, just try to come to work. During game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, just try my best to take advantage of it.”
Tampa linebacker Lavonte David admitted those plays were crushing in a close game.
“It hurts. As a defense, we pride ourselves on things like that,” he said. “Explosive plays, we don’t give that up – pass game, run game, whatever the case may be, and we let some get out today, which is very uncharacteristic of us."
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