Buccaneers face a real challenge against Patriots QB Drake Maye in Week 10

Coming off of a bye week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to action Sunday against the 7-2 New England Patriots. 

The Bucs and Patriots are two of only eight teams with only two losses on the season so far. Both are in firm contention for the No. 1 seed atop their respective conferences.

After finishing 4-13 just a season ago, the Patriots have been one of the most surprising and improved teams in the league, and second-year quarterback Drake Maye has been the catalyst leading the team’s impressive season. 

Maye has catapulted himself into the MVP conversation halfway through the season. He’s thrown for 2,285 yards with 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions, putting him on a full-season pace for 4300 yards and 32 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. 

He’s completed 74% of his passes, leading the entire NFL, but has been particularly impressive throwing the deep ball, where he’s having one of the most efficient seasons in NFL history throwing downfield. 

Through the first eight games of the season, Maye completed 76.5% of his passes 20+ yards downfield. In fact, he was more likely to throw a touchdown pass (5) than an incompletion (4) on pass attempts 20+ yards down the field.

For as good as Maye has played this season, he’s been at his best on the road. The Buccaneers need to be prepared to defend Raymond James Stadium against one of their toughest opponents yet.

So far in 2025, the Patriots are 4-0 on the road. In those four games, Maye has tossed seven touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 78% of his passes. 

The Bucs will be facing the league’s most accurate quarterback, playing in his element on the road. Bowles will need to dial up the pressure and prevent the young signal-caller from getting too comfortable and finding a rhythm, or it could become a long day for Tampa Bay against the MVP candidate.