The New England Patriots extended their unexpected winning streak to seven games by beating the formidable Tampa Bay Bucs away, 28-23. Yet the story of the game was two Patriots' draft picks, and one in particular, TreVeyon Henderson, who scored two monster take-it-to-the-house touchdowns for 55 and 69 yards in the second half, sealing the win.
Henderson's heroics were augmented by those of his fellow rookie, Kyle Williams, who took a Drake Maye pass for 72 yards in the first quarter to get the fireworks going. But it was Henderson who, in crunch time, ripped the Bucs defense for two long touchdowns and put an exclamation point on a massive win for the Patriots.
The rookie took full advantage of his opportunity as the starter, Rhamondre Stevenson was out with an injury. In the process, he staked a claim to the top spot, no matter who is in the backfield, with a performance that came close to one that Stevenson himself delivered in 2022.
TreVeyon Henderson announced himself to the NFL in Tampa
The Patriots needed a big game from the offense, and Henderson and Williams helped deliver it with solid help from Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, and of course, Drake Maye.
TreVeyon Henderson had his breakout game at just the right time for the soaring Patriots. In so doing, he had the best single rushing day for a rookie since 2022.
TreVeyon Henderson's 147 rushing yards are the most in a game by a Patriots running back since Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 172 against the Raiders in a loss in Week 15 of the 2022 season.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 9, 2025
Henderson couldn't have picked a better day for his breakout than against the formidable, then 6-2 Tampa, led by top quarterback Baker Mayfield. And the Bucs gave the Patriots all they could handle as they fought to the final seconds.
The new starting Patriots running back is now clear
The Patriots' new head Coach, Mike Vrabel, knew his offense, led by Drake Maye, needed to get better in the receiving and running back corps in the 2025 offseason. In free agency, he added No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs, who's been every bit of that, and the ever-reliable and productive pass-catcher Mack Hollins.
Yet, he lacked one asset that he had to remedy through the draft. He did so with two premium draft picks. The first was running back Henderson with Vrabel's second pick ever in the 2025 second round. Then he took receiver Washington State Kyle Williams in the third round. Both players' top asset was explosiveness, and Patriot Nation saw it from both today.
Henderson has clearly claimed the top running back spot. He's earned it. He has explosiveness that no other back has. It's time for Coach Mike Vrabel and his Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to unleash Henderson and give him 10-15 carries every week. If he gets a hole, he can he can take-it-to-the-house on any given play.