New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots notched their seventh straight win on Sunday, but they couldn’t extend another streak.
For the first time all season, the Patriots allowed a running back to register 50 rushing yards. They became the first team since 1950 to achieve that feat in the first nine games.
However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stopped the Patriots from matching their NFL record of 10 straight games set by the 2020 Super Bowl champions. Sean Tucker, a third-stringer for most of the season, snapped the streak by gaining 53 yards on nine carries.
Tucker entered the day with 76 rushing yards all season, but the third-year pro received more playing time with starting running back Bucky Irving sidelined. Rachaad White still drew more snaps and one more handoff.
While White turned his 10 carries into just 38 yards, Tucker improbably became the back to break New England’s decorated streak. The former undrafted free agent cleared 50 with an 18-yard run in the fourth quarter.
That gain took Tampa Bay to New England’s 34-yard line while trailing 21-16 in the fourth quarter, but the Buccaneers responded by turning the ball over on downs. Henderson then iced the game with a 69-yard touchdown.
The Patriots have held Ashton Jeanty, Devon Achane, James Cook, Alvin Kamara and Bijan Robinson under 50 rushing yards, so few would have guessed Tucker would be the guy to break through. Tampa Bay tallied 113 rushing yards against a unit that had allowed an NFL-best 75.4 per game this season, but New England still prevailed with a 28-23 win.
