How the Buccaneers Can Beat the Patriots

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything. However, I really didn’t feel like writing about how Buccaneers’ GM Jason Licht did nothing at the trade deadline, so like the team, I stood pat. But now we have a game again. And arguably the toughest one of the three game stretch that includes the Bills and Rams. The Patriots despite not having an especially strong roster are doing very well, and it’s mostly because of the man under center.

For the Bucs defense to have any chance, they have to stop Drake Maye. He is the catalyst for the Patriots offense right now. It certainly hasn’t been their run game making a huge difference. It will be difficult to affect Maye in the pocket without Haason Reddick, but you still have Yaya on the other side. The biggest thing the Bucs have to do though is make sure he stays in the pocket. He is a threat running the football. This team always seems to have problems containing running QBs. That can’t happen here. Maye is legitimately running like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. So please God keep rush lane integrity. The secondary I should think can hold up fairly well against the Patriots receivers, which will make Maye want to scramble. Can’t let it happen.

On offense, show life. Like seriously. Hopefully the week of rest has done Baker Mayfield some good for his knee. He was definitely having problems planting his foot because of his oblique injury. He was still on the injury report with that, but rest should help get it back in fighting shape. The Bucs will be without Godwin again, so it will be Egbuka as WR1. He hadn’t been as good as he started the season, but I think a lot of the blame can be placed on Baker not playing well.

One guy that is coming back is Goedeke. As I am writing this, it has not been made official if he will actually start, but all signs seem to point to yes. If he is in the lineup, the team becomes so much better. The run game is better as well as the passing attack. It just opens up so much. Running the ball will be very important for the Bucs. The Patriots haven’t allowed a single running back to have over 50 yards. I would like to break that with Rachaad.

As I said at the beginning, this is probably the toughest game left on the schedule. The Patriots have a strong passing game and all around tough defense. The Bucs defense is probably better, but their offense will be put to the test, again. Both teams will be depending on their QBs to carry the burden on offense. Baker has proven he can do that over the course of the season, as has Maye. Whoever blinks first likely loses the game.