The challenge was steep for the New England Patriots in Sunday's road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were facing a legitimate MVP candidate quarterback in Baker Mayfield, Todd Bowles' elite defense and a well-rested Buccaneers team overall coming off a bye week.

And none of it mattered.

The Patriots did the one thing they've been doing all season when people have continued to count them out: They won the football game. Quarterback Drake Maye heated up the MVP conversation with another strong performance, but the offense was carried by a sensational performance by rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson.

The Buccaneers entered the game with one of the NFL's top-ranked rushing defenses, and the Patriots ran them into the ground at Raymond Jones Stadium for the 28-23 victory.

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