Boston, Massachusetts, November 10, 2025 – New England Patriots legend Tom Brady has publicly expressed his disappointment over a series of “dirty plays” from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the game that took place on November 9.

As a commentator for FOX Sports, Brady asserted that the referees missed multiple violations, leading to the Buccaneers only losing by a narrow 28-23 margin instead of a more decisive defeat. The “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time)’s statement is stirring up the NFL community, with Patriots fans strongly supporting it.

The game at Raymond James Stadium under heavy rain saw the Patriots secure a dramatic victory, improving their record to 8-2, while the Buccaneers dropped to 6-3. However, post-game discussions focused on the alleged “dirty” plays by the Buccaneers, particularly two standout incidents: the “stabbing” (forceful hand stabbing) into Marcus Jones after he recovered a fumble, and the “launch” (full-body launch) into quarterback Drake Maye when he was already out of bounds. These plays went uncalled by the referees, sparking intense debates on social media platform X.

According to analysis from video replays, the first incident occurred after a punt return in the second quarter: Marcus Jones (number 25) slipped on the wet field, recovered the ball, and was clearly down. However, two Buccaneers players piled on and “stabbed” forcefully into his body, raising suspicions of injury. Jones later had to enter the medical tent.

The second incident involved Maye scrambling out of bounds in the third quarter: A Buccaneers defender launched from behind, hitting the head/neck area even though Maye had touched the white sideline. The referees did not throw a flag, despite NFL Rule 12 (Unnecessary Roughness) clearly prohibiting such actions against a defenseless player.

Tom Brady, who has played for both the Patriots and Buccaneers, spoke out during the post-game broadcast on FOX. Brady said: “I clearly saw those dirty plays from the Buccaneers – stabbing into Jones after the play was dead, and launching into Maye out of bounds. The referees missed them; if called correctly, the Buccaneers would have been penalized heavily and probably lost by more. This isn’t clean football, and the NFL needs to review to protect players.” Brady’s commentary contrasted with some of his initial in-game remarks (calling the launch “a little late but not roughness”), but he emphasized post-game that “I’ve been protected strictly before, and now I see the inconsistency clearly.”

Reactions from the Patriots fan community on X and Reddit have been lively. One fan wrote: “Brady is right! Buccaneers dirty team, refs biased. If flags were thrown, we win easier.” In contrast, Buccaneers fans defend their team, arguing it was just “hard hits” in a intense game. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo also stated: “We respect the opponent, but some plays really warrant a review. Our victory deserved more than that.”

The NFL has not issued an official comment yet, but history shows the league often reviews controversial post-game plays. With Brady – the icon of 7 Super Bowls and beloved for his leadership spirit – this statement could push for an investigation, helping ensure fairness in the 2025 season. Patriots fans hope this will bring momentum to the team as they lead the AFC East.