HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, November 9, 2025

(On RB TreVeyon Henderson scoring with less than two minutes left in the game)

"Well, those are important. Those were important, we needed it. [It's] situational football – we'll talk through all those things. And again, he was thinking the right thing and today, in the game, the way that it was – they needed two touchdowns, I think it was okay. But we made it a little closer – we knew it would be difficult coming down here. But two explosive plays and then I think Kyle [Williams'] play early – we really needed that one. That was the one that we were talking about, just needing one play and he hit it, and it was great to see him have that success."

(On New England's 'fight' from start to finish)

"I always love the fight, that's why I love coaching them – it's [because] they fight and they compete. It's not always perfect, it's never going to be perfect, but I love the way that they compete. You're going to have some time – if you strike out you [have] to go to the dugout and be pissed for a couple seconds and then you [have] to go play the rest of the game. So, we tell them, 'Take 30 seconds, be pissed but you know we [have] to go play.' It [was] a long game, it's a tough place to play, it was warm and they're good."

(On having three touchdowns of 50+ yards being scored by the rookies on New England)

"Well, we're going to need everybody throughout this season, we're going to need everybody as this thing goes on. With Kayshon [Boutte] being out, that was an opportunity for Kyle [Williams], with Rhamondre [Stevenson] being out, [it] led [to] more opportunities for TreVeyon [Henderson]. He battled through on that – I got wore out running out there to see how our guys were doing as many times as I did. But I'm proud of the guys that battled and competed and laid it on the line."

(On the fourth down touchdown to end the first half)

"It was a huge play for us on fourth down, that confidence in our guys. So, to be able to have confidence in them at that moment and then come through, that's about players and not necessarily plays. I was really excited and proud of 'Stef' [Stefon Diggs] and Drake [Maye] for scoring when we were [on fourth down] and being able to end the half with the football in our hands."

(On if the first down play was designed for Drake Maye to go down immediately and run the clock)

"Like I said, we're just really excited that we could end [with] the ball in our hands at the end of the first half and then be able to come out in the second half. We have to do a better job of trying to double [them] up, but we got some stops defensively, we went three-and-out a few times offensively, but in the end we got the stops when we needed it."

(On how important the touchdown before halftime was)
"Huge. Huge, I mean, obviously. I mean with no points – I made a decision to go for it, I trust our players and they came through. They made me look good."

(On coaching aggressively)

"Well, I think that this – anything in life you're [going] to have to certainly put some chips in the pot to be able to win something. [You] can't sit around and wait and hope that they just hand it to you. Sometimes you can but most of the time in life, you [have] to be able to risk something to get something in return. So, you can't win [anything] you don't put in the middle."

(On scoring on the last drive of the first half and the first drive of the second half)

"Huge, huge. Then we got some stops early – again the first drive and the last drive were the worst ones of the game. Other than that, we got some stops in the redzone when we needed it, we got some three-and-outs. Guys played hard and they earned being tired, and they are tired, and we'll have to get them back – we have a short week and [I'm] excited to move on."

(On QB Drake Maye's interception in the redzone)

"Yeah, I mean again, [a] lot of things happen quick down there, and situationally it's important there that if we don't come out of there with a touchdown, we have to leave there with points. We have to make it a touchdown game, we [have] to be able to make it a seven-point game there. Again, we want to be aggressive, we just can't be reckless and I think that that probably bordered [the] line of a bad decision. So, we'll continue to improve, and we can learn from that and we can go from there."

(On the stop on fourth-and-three)

"It was [a] great call, great execution if we stopped them – if we don't stop them, it was a bad call."

QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, November 9, 2025

(On the win today)

"Man, it's gritty – [I'm] just so proud of this team. Just every week we're fighting. Some things aren't going our way. We're handling adversity, battling adversity. The defense is stepping up. What a complete game. That's what we said all week – show up for 60 minutes. This is a good football team. We knew if we got up, they're going to come back, and they came marching back, and I'm just proud of the guys for standing up, especially our defense with the big stop. Man, I'm just proud of this team."

(On the fourth down touchdown play right before halftime)

"Shoot, we didn't get in the first three times, and [we] called a play to get our guys involved, and 'Stef' (Stefon Diggs) made a great play. I think Hunter [Henry] was open as well, so 'Stef' did a great job of getting two feet down. That was a toe-tap extraordinaire."

(On Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels' decision to go for the touchdown as time expired before halftime)

"Coach McDaniels – that's who he is, he's aggressive. He's not going to change. It's fun to listen on the headset and just hear kind of what his thought process is. He's the best in the business, and I'm just thankful I get to play for him."

(On if he gets motivated by aggressive play calling)

"I don't really need extra [motivation]… I'm trying to play well for this team, for this organization, and, you know, battle and fight out there for those guys."

(On the touchdown pass to WR Kyle Williams)

"Kyle got out the back door. He's fast. You're not going to catch him. You know, him and '32,' TreVeyon [Henderson], if they get going, you're not catching them. So, I'm just proud of him for stepping up. He only got maybe one target and made it count. So just proud of him for getting in there. He got a lot of reps this week, and there were sometimes on the tape where he was probably more open, and I've just got to look his way."

(On his mindset following the interception in the fourth quarter)

"I'm not changing my approach. I wouldn't change the throw. I had Mack [Hollins] earlier. [I've] just got to make it him or nobody out there, out wide. You've got to be mad at yourself, but you know that you have a chance either to go into a two-minute drill to win the game or go in a five-minute scenario to win the game. So, that's this league, just bouncing back from it, flipping the page. You want to throw things on the sideline, but guys are watching me, and I think the biggest thing is just to get back out there and to show these guys we're ready to go for the next play."

(On a getting a large scrape on his arm)

"Oh, that's every game. Something happens – those guys did a great job up front this game. I think [it's from] just trying to stand in there and make throws. You're going to get hit, and that's this league. I'm going to stand in there and make throws. That's football."

(On the his first-and-goal play before halftime and if he was trying to run clock or get into the end zone)

"I was trying to get in. [With] big Vita Vea, it [isn't] easy to get in with Vita standing there. So, I know the clock – I think the clock [became] a thing, so it ended up probably working out for us, but we ended up scoring. That's all that matters."

(On standing in the pocket and delivering throws despite the pressure from the Buccaneers defense)

"Yeah, that's what it is. I think you know with Coach [Todd] Bowles and what he does, they do a great job defensively. They're playing a little bit more in a spy on third-and-long. We have to do a better job getting to third-and-manageable. We've got to do a better job of getting third-and-short and making plays. But when we were in third-and-long, I was going to try hanging in there. There were times on first or second down [where] I probably could've hung in there more, but like I said, I'm proud of this team – I'm blessed to play the sport. It's fun out there."

(On the quick turnaround to play at home on Thursday night against the Jets)

"We'll get on the plane, and we'll probably watch some tape of New York. You've got to flip to the next page. It's a quick turnaround. We've got one at home, though, so I'm looking forward to playing with our fans. Our fans were great out there today. It was cool. I feel like our whole side was Patriots fans. So that was pretty cool."

(On if the win felt more meaningful today)

"Yeah, I think you're exhausted – the heat, the nerves, the making plays, the back and forth. I think that's what makes this sport so great. I think there's nothing like it. Every win is crucial, every one is important, and we've got to go back out there next week and get another one."

ADDITIONAL PATRIOTS PLAYERS

CORNERBACK CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ

(On coming out with win after intense game)

"It was a good battle. They got a good team, they made some plays, we made some plays — that's how football goes, that's the nature of the sport. It was good to get a win, an away win. We've got to flip the page like Drake [Maye] said and get ready for next week."

(On shadowing/traveling with WR Emeka Egbuka)

"That was a plan. He's a good receiver, he got drafted high for a reason. They do a real good job, like I said earlier in the week, him and Baker [Mayfield] have gotten into a rhythm very early in the season and they continued it. It's a fun challenge out there, it was fun. That's what it is at corner"

(On if he likes to follow one opposing wide receiver in a game)

"To me, it doesn't really matter. I'll play whatever the defense wants me to do – if they want me to follow, if they don't, whatever the team needs me to do, wants me to do, I'm happy to do."

(On HC Mike Vrabel telling the defense to win the game in last quarter)

"It never just comes down to offense or defense, but we want to be in those big moments as a defense. He gathered us up and said go out there and have fun, do what we do, go make a play, get a stop and get the ball back to Drake [Maye]."

(On what going for it on fourth downs says about the team)

"We preach it during the week. We believe in the offense; they've been doing their thing. We like to go out swinging. Go swing and if it doesn't have, the defense will get on the field and just do our part to get the ball back to them."

RUNNING BACK TREVEYON HENDERSON

(On how he feels after his performance)

"Honestly, I really just thank God. It was a tough game. It was a really tough game and we knew it was going to be tough going into it. [There were] a lot of ups and downs during that game. Specifically, during those down moments, I was just trying my best to lean on God to pick me up and give me the strength to keep going, and He was there in that moment to lift me up and give me the strength to push through. I give the credit to my teammates, as well. They fought hard. We all fought hard and we are a team. I couldn't have done it without those guys and the guys up front."

(On how WR Stefon Diggs has impacted him)

"He keeps me motivated – he really does. He's such a great leader on this field. He gets all the guys going. He is always in my ear, but he keeps me motivated."

(On what he saw on his first touchdown)

"Just making my regular reads for that run scheme. The guys up front – they made it easy for me. They opened it up really [well]. My biggest thing is to be decisive and hit it once I see it. I thank the guys up front for taking care of the dirty work."

(On the similarity between his big plays at Ohio State and now today with New England)

"It honestly felt good. This season, it comes with a lot of ups and downs here in the NFL and I'm learning that. I thank God for the way that he has allowed it to go because He has matured me a lot in my faith. He drew me closer to him. He's been drawing me closer to Him during the season and just helping me keep my eyes on Him. I've been just trying to trust the process, being present in the moment and just trying to put in the days, each and every practice, just try to come to work. During game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, just try my best to take advantage of it. At the end of the day, I want God to have His way, not my will but His will be done."

LINEBACKER ROBERT SPILLANE

(On mindset after big stops to win game)

"It's huge to come down to South Florida and get a win against a great football team who's won a lot of games this year. I'm really proud of the guys, of how we got some stops — crucial stops — late down the stretch. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, we knew it was going to take four quarters, we knew Baker [Mayfield] loves to fight back in these games. I'm just proud of how we finished."

(On large number of players participating on off day)

"We're a hungry team, we're a young team, we're a team with the guy with a lot of chips on their shoulders. We still feel like we have so much left to prove. We have yet to play our best football game as a team – as a defense – and every week that's why we prepare. We go out there every week trying to play our best game, trying to put the best four quarters of team defense together, and we're yet to get there. That taste in our mouths keeps us coming back for more."

(On Mike Vrabel's coaching style)

"Authentic, original, true to himself, hard nose, intense. You know what you're going to get from [Mike] Vrabel, you know he's going to expect a lot out of you as a playmaker. And it's our job as players to go out there and compete and finish."

(On if he saw a lot of the aggression and similar traits from Vrabel today)

"Vrabel is consistent, so you might see aggression, I don't. I see somebody with passion and care and somebody who really wants us to get it right. And we're on that journey. Ten games through, we still have yet to get it right, but we're on the right track and we've continued to believe in each other as players, as individuals and as a team."

(On the defense's conversation during two-minute warning during the fourth quarter)

"I truly believe when we have 11 guys out there in that two-minute warning, everyone is picturing themselves making the play to win the game. I know I sure do. I sure see myself making the play to help our team win. When you got 11 guys out there with that mindset, playing within the scheme of the defense, but going out there to win the game, good things are going to happen. I'm proud of [K'Lavon] Chaisson, he continues to make big plays for us early in the game, late in the game, so really proud of him."

(On team mentality and confidence as season goes on)

"I don't know if it's more confidence, I don't know if there's more continuity. I know I believed week one of the season. I thought we were going to win that game, I thought we were going to win every game. So, I've had the confidence of the people around me and now it's just that jell just coming together, understanding our details within the scheme of the defense and playing to it."

WIDE RECEIVER KYLE WILLIAMS

(On scoring his first NFL touchdown)

"It was sensational. I don't think words could really put an explanation on that feeling. We got the look that we wanted. Shout out to Drake [Maye] for making an alert on that play. He gets to pick one or two, and he picked me, and then once the ball was in my hands, I [saw] green grass, and then it was bon voyage after that."

(On his opportunity coming into the game with other receivers injured)

"I knew it was huge. We always say you prepare as a starter, and I really took that to heart this week because I knew what was at stake. When you get an opportunity, you're not promised another one. You get what I'm saying? So, for me, it was just making the most of it whenever my 'ops' (opportunities) came, just making the most of it and then just stacking. So, I'm proud of myself."

(On his process this season staying ready for his opportunities)

"For me, it's just been a consistent process. I follow what [Stefon] Diggs, Mack [Hollins], [Kayshon] Boutte, the vets do. I have my routine set, and I just stay true to it. Just because I'm not getting this many plays, or this week I got 10 plays – I'm not gonna shy away from that routine. I'm gonna stay on it, because at some point, I'm going to be needed, and they're going to depend on me, and I've got to be ready, and I was ready this week."

(On if he could see himself on the jumbotron while running for a touchdown)

"No, I just [saw] the end zone. Yeah, I was looking at the end zone. I need to start looking at the jumbotron, but sometimes I don't feel like people could catch me, so I look at the end zone."

(On the reaction from the sideline when he scored the touchdown)

"It was ecstatic. You could [see] how much the team really cares about things like that. To me, it was my first touchdown, and to them, they had the same excitement that I had. So, it was just nothing but smiles, handshakes and everything. And at that point for me, now I'm ready for more."

(On keeping the game ball from his touchdown)

"It's going to stay with me. You know, that one is dear to me. Hopefully if I get another one, I can give it to my mom and my dad. But this first one is sticking with me. Mom [doesn't] get the first one – I worked for this [laughs]. But I appreciate mom – she's been along [for] this journey."