SNF: Patriots vs Buccaneers Game Thread

Sunday Night Football, Week 4. Tonight the New England Patriots host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tom Brady’s first game against the Patriots in an opposing team’s uniform.

The 2-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into this game smarting from their first defeat of the 2021 season at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. The high flying Buccaneers come into this game leading the NFL in points, passing attempts and passing touchdowns while ranking dead last in rushing attempts. We’ll see if they can keep that scintillating pace up against a Patriots defense ranked #2 against the pass.

The 1-2 New England Patriots come into this game off a 28 - 13 beatdown at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. The Patriots are struggling, and only a defeat of the lowly New York Jets is keeping this once mighty team out of the AFC East cellar. The Patriots have excelled on defense thus far, but their offense has been well below average this season. With few dangerous weapons in the passing game and starting rookie Mac Jones at quarterback, the Patriots attack plods along and bogs down in the red zone. The Patriots suffer from a big talent deficit against the Buccaneers, and it will be a surprise if Bill Belichick can pull this one out against his Brady and his compadres.

It’s the Patriots and the Buccaneers in a Sunday Night game full of intrigue.

Enjoy the game everybody.