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New England Patriots: 5 winners and losers from win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Kenneth Teape

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Fans light up the light on their cell phones as they join the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a moment of silence in horning the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting before the start of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Fans light up the light on their cell phones as they join the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a moment of silence in horning the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting before the start of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots: 5 winners and losers from win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 01: Fozzy Whittaker #43 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Winner No. 3: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore

Gilmore has received a lot of heat thus far this season. As the big free agent acquisition this offseason, there were high expectations for the shutdown corner that came to New England from the Buffalo Bills. The beginning part of his Patriots career has not yet gone according to plan.

Gilmore has been banged up some, as he tested his ankle before the game and felt good enough to play. His play against the Panthers was heavily criticized, but his teammates spoke up for him and had his back.

That backing from his teammates may have given Gilmore some much-needed confidence as he played arguably his best game of the season. The Patriots played a lot of zone against the Buccaneers to try and mask some of their deficiencies. However, when they were in man, Gilmore was tasked with slowing down Mike Evans.

Evans is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but he did not look like that against New England. The Patriots were able to hold him in check throughout the evening, as he caught only five passes for 49 yards.

Next: Patriots Full Team Grades vs Buccaneers

Gilmore was a big reason for that underwhelming outing and deserves some praise from the people who were bashing him after last week.

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