Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Network: CBS
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START, QB1
Drake Maye is currently the QB3 on the season, having thrown multiple touchdowns in all but two games and sporting a 17:4 touchdown to interception ratio. If he’s able to toss two or more touchdowns against Tampa, he’ll probably enter into “fun fact” status. The Bucs have given up multiple passing touchdowns in only three games this season, and held all but two quarterbacks under 300 passing yards.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: FLEX, RB3 *Watch practice reports*
TreVeyon Henderson: START, RB2 (If Stevenson Out) | FLEX, RB3 (If Stevenson Active)
Terrell Jennings: SIT
It may have taken a toe injury for Rhamondre Stevenson, but TreVeyon Henderson finally got lead back duties for the Patriots in Week 9. The results were alright: 14 carries, 55 yards, 4 catches, 6 targets, 32 yards. Terrell Jennings frustratingly got the only touchdown between the two, but Henderson got work on the goal line as well. Henderson played 36/49 early down snaps, 8/9 third down snaps, and all five snaps in the two-minute drill. He had about 80% of snaps on the day, but maybe the most encouraging sign was his usage in the pass game. It wasn’t just getting targets in the backfield: Henderson lined up in the slot, out wide, and accounted for a team-high 34 yards after the catch. Jennings saw just one target. At the time of writing, Stevenson had yet to practice, putting Henderson in line for another start against a Bucs defense allowing the 11th most points to the position.
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs: START, WR3
Kayshon Boutte*Likely OUT*
DeMario Douglas: FLEX, WR4
Mack Hollins: SIT
Kyle Williams: SIT
Stefon Diggs scored for the second straight game and still just barely got over 10 fantasy points. Only playing 50-60% of snaps, Diggs will be hard-pressed to find the enzone against Tampa. The Bucs have allowed just six passing touchdowns to receivers this season. Kayshon Boutte left Week 9 with a hamstring injury and had yet to practice at the time of writing, so we could see more of both Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas. The latter is coming off the first 100-yard receiving game of his career and could offer sneaky FLEX value if Boutte is indeed out. Hollins offers virtually no fantasy value. Rookie Kyle Williams could find his way on the field as well, but is at best a stash-and-see.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: tHe gLoB
tHe gLoB (θɛ/glɒb) — A mass of tight ends whose stat line you can expect to be around 3-5 targets, 2-4 catches, 40-ish yards, and double-digit fantasy points if they happen to fall into the end zone.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: START
The Patriots are one of six teams holding opponents under 20 points per game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: START, Borderline QB1
Baker Mayfield stumbled in the bye, totaling 380 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the two games prior. The Patriots have been somewhat stingy to quarterbacks for fantasy purposes, allowing the 11th fewest points to the position. But over their last three, they’ve allowed six total touchdowns to Cam Ward, Dillon Gabriel, and Michael Penix. Mayfield should be started pretty much across the board as a low-end QB1.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB1 *Still not practicing*
Rachaad White: START, RB2 (If Irving OUT) | SIT if Irving returns
Sean Tucker
Those bright-eyed, bushy-tailed hopes of a post-bye return for Bucky Irving got a little dimmer on Wednesday afternoon.
Bowles today on Bucky Irving: "He's still coming along. He's running, but he hasn't taken any contact with his shoulder, so we'll see how it heals." Asked if Godwin is running: "Everybody's running. It's just a matter of him getting ready to play."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 5, 2025
We have zero clue when Irving might actually return. This week isn’t out of the question, but it doesn’t look good. As long as he’s out, Rachaad White remains a volume-based RB2. Sean Tucker saw a season high 12 carries before the bye, but the Bucs didn’t have to do much against the Saints, who totaled 3 points. New England has held the run in check, allowing the fourth fewest points to the position this season and yet to allow any back to hit even 50 rushing yards. If Bucky is back, he’s starting. If he’s not, White is. Against the Pats, Tucker isn’t either way.
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka: START, WR1
Tez Johnson: FLEX, WR4
Chris Godwin Jr: SIT
Chris Godwin had yet to return to practice at the time of writing, but even if he returns against the Patriots, I have zero interest in starting him in fantasy as he struggles to return to form. Emeka Egbuka hasn’t had a double-digit fantasy point total since Week 5, but he’s still Baker Mayfield‘s top option and a must-start in all formats, regardless of format. The Patriots are a middle-of-the-road matchup, and the implied game total is pushing 50, so Egbuka could get back on track in Week 10. Tez Johnson is averaging 12.2 points per game over his last three games and has 15 targets over his last two. He’s a decent FLEX play.
Tight End
Cade Otton: STREAMER
Cade Otton hasn’t done a whole lot with the extra opportunity he’s seen with all the injuries in Tampa. But Godwin has yet to return to practice and is trending towards missing yet another game. New England is allowing the seventh most points to the position, albeit that’s heavily skewed by four touchdowns in two games by the Browns and Panthers. Otton is a touchdown-dependent streamer that I’m less enthused with if Godwin can suit up.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: STREAMER (One Week)
A sneaky streaming option that tied for the fifth most turnovers and sacks.