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mike rees
Tampa, Florida — veteran receiver stefon diggs‘Motivational words traveyon henderson Helped spark rookie running back’s breakout performance that included touchdown runs of 72 and 69 yards as visiting new England Patriots Green tampa bay buccaneers On Sunday 28-23.
“I’m definitely hard on Treveon because I see a lot of potential in him,” Diggs said. “I’ve been around some great backs in my career and I was telling them, ‘Those great backs can’t be tackled, and I want to see you score.’ So for them to come out there and bust two of them, I think it’s good to be tough on people.”
Henderson responded to Diggs’ halftime pep talk with his 72-yard scoring run early in the third quarter, then added a 69-yarder late in the fourth that helped put the game away. He became the first player in Patriots history to record two touchdown runs of over 50 yards in the same game. A second-round pick (No. 38) out of Ohio State, he finished with a career-high 147 yards on 14 carries.
Henderson said of Diggs, “He keeps me motivated – he really does. He’s a great leader on this field.” “He inspires everybody. He’s always in my ear, but he keeps me motivated.”
With rookie wide receiver kyle williams The Patriots got much-needed contributions from their two youngest players, giving up a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown late in the first quarter.
Williams’ role was expanded as the team was without a starting receiver. kayshon boute (hamstring), while Henderson stepped down for the second week in a row Ramondre Stevenson (toe).
“We’re going to need everyone here throughout the season,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “Two explosive plays [from Henderson] And Kyle’s game started early, we really needed him. It was exactly what we were talking about – just needed one play and he hit it, and it was great to see him have success.”
Williams entered the day with a season high total of two receptions for 20 yards.
The speed of Henderson and Williams on each touchdown was remarkable.
According to NFL NextGenStats, Williams reached a top speed of 21.78 mph on his touchdown, the fastest by a rookie ball carrier this season. But Henderson later broke that mark when he reached a top speed of 22.01 mph on his scoring run on the opening drive of the second half.
Henderson then clocked 21.38 mph on the final touchdown, marking the three fastest top speeds by any rookie this season and the three fastest speeds on touchdown by any Patriots player since Next Gen began tracking in 2016.
The three scrimmage touchdowns scored at at least 20 mph are tied for the most by any team in a game since Next Gen began tracking. This is the seventh such instance, and the first after 2023. miami dolphins Had three in their 70-20 blowout denver broncos In the third week of the 2023 season.
“Kyle and Treveon, if they move, you’re not going to catch them,” the quarterback said. drake mayWho completed 16 of 31 for 270 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Henderson credited Long’s interception in front of him.
“They literally opened it up [well]My biggest thing is to be decisive and hit it when I see it,” he said. “I thank the people up front for taking care of the dirty work.”
Meanwhile, Williams explained how she chose this week, saying: “We always say you prepare as a beginner and I really kept that in mind this week because I knew what was at stake. When you get one chance, you’re not promised another. So for me it’s just making the most of it whenever it comes.”
The Patriots (8-2) host New York Jets (2-7) on Thursday.
