Patriots Win Seventh Straight, Prepare for Thursday Night Jets Matchup

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots improved to 8-2 with a 35-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, marking their seventh consecutive win. The Patriots are now tied for the best record in the NFL as they gear up for a Thursday night matchup against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed the media on Monday, offering insights on various topics, including injury updates and preparations for the Jets. ‘Terrell Jennings is being evaluated, and today is a walkthrough. We’ll do our best with the injury report and see what he can do,’ Vrabel said.

He reflected on the performance of rookie quarterback Drake Maye against the Buccaneers, saying, ‘I thought he did well. He managed the pressure and made big plays for us. We’ll keep working on it.’

On the importance of self-scouting, Vrabel stated, ‘We’re always trying to figure out what other teams are looking at. It’s crucial to learn from what we see on tape and prepare for different scenarios in games.’

Vrabel also praised wide receiver Mack Hollins, saying, ‘I appreciate his professionalism. He’s smart, easy to talk to, and a great leader for our team.’

With a short week ahead, Vrabel mentioned the team’s transition to focus on the Jets: ‘We tried to move on as quickly as possible. Our video staff has been fantastic in providing everything we need to prepare.’

As for the Jets defense, which has seen changes, Vrabel said, ‘They still have strong players like Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. They mix pressure well, and we need to be ready to handle that.’

The Patriots coach reflected on the long touchdown runs by running back TreVeyon Henderson, noting, ‘We executed well in blocking, which allowed him to reach the edge and score.’

Following the Patriots’ win, Vrabel expressed gratitude to the fans who traveled to Tampa for the game. ‘We appreciate our fans; those trips aren’t easy or cheap, and we give them reasons to cheer,’ he said.

Looking ahead to the Jets game, Vrabel emphasized the importance of recovery and rest for his players. ‘There’s not going to be much physical activity this week; it’s about recuperation right now.’