New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots can make a huge statement by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sunday’s Week 10 matchup marks the first time New England draws CBS’s main broadcasting team in two years.
As a result, Tony Romo wasn’t monitoring the Pats too carefully before preparing for Sunday’s assignment. Before the game, the color commentator told “NFL Today +” that he now believes in New England.
“This is an incredible football team with the merits that, they can go all the way,” Romo said on Sunday morning. “I’m telling you. This is crazy. After watching the tape this week, this team is for real.”
Romo praised the pairing of head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye. The former Dallas Cowboys star appeared to liken the duo to Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, identifying a commonality in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“This is a rare combination. Now, I’ve seen this before,” Romo said. “You get a defensive-minded coach who creates a culture and has his team ready to play every week. They can get players, all of a sudden, on the defensive side that can big-boy people and impose their will.
“Then you bring in a young quarterback, and then you give him Josh McDaniels. I’m just saying — I’m not saying this is Brady. But I am saying there’s merits to what Drake Maye is doing right now that are incredibly impressive for a young player.”
Romo marveled over Maye’s deep-play accuracy.
“Their explosive plays are at an incredible rate right now,” Romo said. “And this is a second-year player who throws the ball effortlessly 40 yards down the field, like into a bucket.”
Romo will get a closer look at the Patriots when calling Sunday’s game alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz. The Week 10 matchup begins at 1 p.m. ET.
