Diggs' pep talk helps Patriots' Henderson run wild vs. Bucs - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — Veteran receiver Stefon Diggs' motivational words to TreVeyon Henderson helped spark the rookie running back's breakout performance that included touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards, as the visiting New England Patriots beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 on Sunday.

«I'm definitely hard on TreVeyon because I see so much potential,» Diggs said. «I've been around some great backs in my career and I was telling him, 'Those great backs don't get tackled, and I want to see you score.' So him coming out there and busting two of them, it's good to be hard on people, I guess.»

Henderson responded to Diggs' halftime pep talk with his 55-yard scoring run at the start of the third quarter, then added the 69-yarder late in the fourth to help put away the game. He became the first player in Patriots history to record two touchdown runs of more than 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.

«He keeps me motivated — he really does. He's such a great leader on this field,» Henderson said of Diggs. «He gets all the guys going. He is always in my ear, but he keeps me motivated.»

With rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams also delivering a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown at the end of the first quarter, the Patriots received much-needed contributions from two of their youngest players.

Williams had an expanded role as the team was without starting receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), while Henderson stepped up for the second straight week in place of Rhamondre Stevenson (toe).

«We're going to need everybody throughout this season,» coach Mike Vrabel said. «Two explosive plays [from Henderson] and Kyle's play early, we really needed that one.