Patriots-Buccaneers preview: How Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel can win in Tampa Bay

Time to Buc-le up The Patriots have taken their six-game win streak south where they will be underdogs for the first time in more than a month at Tampa Bay Coming off their bye week the Buccaneers are well-rested and tracking for another playoff berth at - While Baker Mayfield has cooled since his early-season MVP campaign Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka is among the preponderance explosive receivers in football and Tampa Bay s defense ranks among the NFL s best against the run and pass Can Drake Maye keep his own MVP hopes alive on the road against the blitz-happy Bucs And what must Mike Vrabel s defense do to slow down Mayfield Here s what to watch for Sunday When the Patriots run It s on you kid Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is slated to make his second straight start with Rhamondre Stevenson still sidelined by a toe injury Last weekend Henderson rushed for yards and caught four passes for yards as the Patriots lead back while Terrell Jennings served as his backup Henderson broke five tackles and ripped off his best runs on the outside where he s been largest part effective all season However Henderson should expect tough sledding Sunday The Buccaneers field a top- run defense by virtually every metric Opponents have had virtually no luck picking up small steady gains or explosive plays thanks mostly to -pound Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea and one-time All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David Expect the Patriots to try and avoid Vea on the ground and possibly go no-huddle to tire him out as they did in their last matchup four years ago When the Patriots pass Maye has been money against the blitz all season But Tampa s blitz is a different beast Fifteen Buccaneers have recorded at least a half-sack in just eight games executing coach Tood Bowles exotic pressure packages that send extra rushers on roughly of opponents passing plays Expect Bowles to isolate Vea against left guard Jared Wilson to create a mismatch and attack Henderson in blitz pickup after the rookie allowed three pressures last weekend This week offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels came to Henderson s defense but also reported preparing for this defense means expecting the unexpected based on his previous battles with Bowles when Bowles coached the Jets There s a challenge to the way you enter the competition and then all of a sudden the meeting takes on a different reality McDaniels declared I mean there s been games where Bowles blitzed us endlessly and then there s been other games where it s been a little bit more tempered but there s inevitably a reason for it which like I commented I ve been so impressed with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during an NFL encounter on Sunday Sept in Foxboro AP Photo Charles Krupa Assuming Maye has time DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs could be primed for big games against a pass defense that ranks bottom- at defending the middle of the field by DVOA Douglas should at least see more snaps with Kayshon Boutte sidelined by a hamstring injury That also goes for speedy rookie Kyle Williams who has just two catches in nine games this season But don t expect multiple deep shots to the left where veteran Bucs corner Jamel Dean often locks down his side of the field Opposite Dean corner Zyon McCollum will make for an easier target When the Buccaneers run Can they keep the streak alive Through nine games the Pats have yet to allow any contestant to rush for yards an NFL record dating back to This week the Patriots caught a break with top Tampa running back Bucky Irving ruled out over shoulder and toe injuries That leaves Rachaad White to pick up the slack White has rushed for yards and four touchdowns at a yards-per-carry clip this season He and Irving have been held back at times by a poor run-blocking offensive line that s also dealing with injuries at multiple positions Unlike past weeks when they bulked up with heavier personnel to stop opponents run games look for the Patriots to try and limit White with lighter packages that can also protect them against the deep pass And in critical situations keep an eye on the Bucs running behind stud left tackle Tristan Wirfs who is far and away their best offensive lineman Related Articles things we re watching in Patriots matchup with Buccaneers Patriots Carlton Davis details disbelief of being traded by Buccaneers Patriots rule out three starters for Week battle vs Buccaneers Patriots get bad news at final practice before Buccaneers event New Patriots Get to know rookie starter Jared Wilson better on and off the field When the Buccaneers pass Christian Gonzalez meet Emeka Egbuka The stud rookie receiver leads Tampa Bay in all major receiving categories with catches for yards and five touchdowns He s proven to be an excellent insurance initiative against modern injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin who are both out Sunday Egbuka has done largest part of his damage out wide this season but also aligns in the slot Wherever he is Gonzalez should shadow him Outside of Egbuka the Bucs are low on threatening pass-catchers Tight end Cade Otton is a solid sportsman who could be a red-zone target Mayfield also might opt to throw to White especially since the Patriots have struggled at times to contain running backs in the passing competition and Mayfield may want immediate outlets against the blitz If the Pats blitz Mayfield who has struggled against extra rushers this season that will leave them vulnerable deep if Egbuka breaks free Ideally defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Milton Williams can create havoc against a soft interior offensive line though Barmore is coming off a challenge where he finished with zero pressures Battle pick Buccaneers Patriots