Gameday Tampa Bay
October 5th, 2017
Game Four
Patriots (2-2) at Bucs (2-1)
Kickoff: 8:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Network, WTSP-TV Channel 10, Amazon.com.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WXTB-FM 97.9 in Tampa-St. Petersburg region); Bucs broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 83, Westwood One national broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 88.
Weather: Oh, no. Not again? Florida in the early weeks of the season means rains in the late afternoon and early evening. And if AccuWeather.com is accurate, and it often is, look for there to be thunderstorms in the early evening that may just bleed into the first quarter. Temperatures should be rather pleasant at 77 degrees at kickoff, tapering off only slightly by the end of the game.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Patriots -5.5.
Outlook: This could be a crossroads game for the Bucs. It takes Joe back to the opening game of the 1997, when the 49ers, with Steve Mariucci debuting as the new San Francisco coach, came to Tampa Stadium and got drop-kicked by the Bucs. Once the Yucs, the Bucs were the new bullies on the block and a win over a playoff team the previous season served notice. This game sort of has that same feel. The Patriots, defending Super Bowl champs, have suddenly proven shaky with a leaky defense. The Bucs, for the first time this season against the Giants, looked rather smooth on offense. Of course, Tom Brady is still Tom Brady and Bill Belicheat is still Bill Belicheat. One could argue Brady is the best quarterback in NFL history, but Joe will still take Joe Montana. The Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman, believes Belicheat to be the greatest coach in NFL history. Joe won’t go there. Damn good, no question, but has Belicheat changed the game like Paul Brown or Tom Landry or Bill Walsh did? Joe’s top-five coaches have to be, not in this order, Brown, Landry, Walsh, Belicheat and Vince Lombardi, with Joe Gibbs and Chuck Noll having their noses pressed against the window. Anyway, the way Joe looks at it, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, will have to equal the game he had against the Giants or better. Joe suspects the Patriots will put plenty of points on the board so Jameis will have to be sharp. This could be a high-scoring game and if the Bucs are fortunate, could it be a crossroads game for the franchise?
Trinkets: This is the first time in 27 years the Patriots have played a road game on a Thursday night that was not on Thanksgiving. … New England leads the NFL in offensive yards per game (423.8). … The Bucs are third in the NFL in offensive yards per game (362.3). … Tampa Bay is dead last in the NFL in sacks (1). … Patriots QB Tom Brady is currently on a seven-game streak in which he has not thrown an interception. The only such streak longer in his career was an 11-game streak. … Last week in a loss to Carolina, RB James White tied a career high for most catches in a game with 10. … Since being inserted into the starting lineup to begin the second half of 2016, DE Trey Flowers has bloomed recording 10 sacks. … blooms in the second half. … In each of the last three seasons S Duron Harmon has picked off a pass in the end zone in a one score game to seal a win for New England. … Since the beginning of last season TE Cam Brate leads the NFL in touchdowns (10) at his position. … with two touchdown catches tonight, WR Mike Evans will be tied with Kevin House for second-most touchdown receptions in franchise history (31). … Since the start of the 2013 season, no defensive tackle has more sacks than DT Gerald McCoy (33.5) … Only two active cornerbacks, Terrance Newman (41) and Aqib Talib (34), have more picks in their careers than CB Brent Grimes (30).
October 5th, 2017 at 12:11 am
This will be a great measuring stick to see just how far we have come. To beat the Pats would mean we are moving forward and are trying to get there. Don’t think we can do it though. Still I’ll be rootin for us. GO GET”EM BUCS!! Prove all of the major sportscasters wrong.
October 5th, 2017 at 12:23 am
Don’t see how this Bucs defense can keep this game close…
October 5th, 2017 at 12:46 am
Does anyone know who has picked the Bucs to win? I thought SI had!?? I could have swore one or two different people or sites had picked the Bucs..
Well I am!!
24-9..Bucs win it…
October 5th, 2017 at 12:50 am
First off, it is against my commitment to stare at that picture for more than 2.9 seconds so I get it!
WE Can do this guys!!!! C’Mon BUCS!!!!!!
October 5th, 2017 at 1:30 am
Patriots five point favorites to win on the road, in florida, against a team comming off a win that left 7 points on the field but scored 25? Thats 32 points divide that by 5 which would give you 6!! The bucs will score on six drives at most against patriots patrits 20 bucs 22!! This games will have less than 44 points scored 14 28 bucs!!!! I like the bucs by 14 who wanna bet ??
October 5th, 2017 at 1:32 am
37-35.Tampa wins
October 5th, 2017 at 1:43 am
Oh, hell yes!
Tell me the girls are back!
Yes, it’s been a long, lonely Summer.
October 5th, 2017 at 4:12 am
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THE MODERN ERA G.O.A.T. (read about Otto Graham if you want to know who the early-era G.O.A.T. is)
vs.
THE GREATEST AND MOST ACCOMPLISHED 23 YEAR OLD QB IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL
Unless the Bucs and Patriots meet again in the SuperBowl this year, this will most likely be the ONLY time Jameis will ever get to play against Tom Brady in an NFL game.
Will the old goat take out the young future star of the league the way Manning and the Broncos took out Cam and the Panthers a couple years ago, or will the future face of the NFL take out the current face of the NFL the way rookie Magic Johnson took out Dr. J in the NBA Finals?
Honestly, if I’m betting, I’m saying Pats 34, Bucs 30 as I just don’t see how our defense sans Kwon, LaVonte and Tandy and with a gimpy GMC, Ayers and Spence is going to slow down that Patriots offensive juggernaut, especially coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Panthers last week. Had the Patriots squeaked that game out I’d maybe take the Bucs 31-30, but, coming off a loss I expect the Patriots to play lights out … we’ll see.
GO BUCS!
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October 5th, 2017 at 4:31 am
JOE … you’re certainly NOT the only one that would take Montana ahead of Brady. Tony Dungy had Brady 5th or 6th on his all-time list. Mike Wilbon has John Elway as the G.O.A.T. Max Kellerman believes Aaron Rodgers is the “best” QB to ever play.
As for me, I think there is a difference between “greatness” and simply assessing who is the “best”. Dan Marino was far “better” than Terry Bradshaw but many would rank Bradshaw higher on a “greatest” list due to the “team success” he achieved.
Personally, I think the “greatest” QB list starts with Otto Graham and then goes: Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, John Elway, Brett Favre while I think a list of the “best” QBs ever starts with Aaron Rodgers and includes a few guys ahead of Brady.
October 5th, 2017 at 4:37 am
By the way, did everyone hear BOTH Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless say that Colin Kaeperick “right now” is a BETTER QB than Marcus Mariota? WOW … that shocked me … they both seemed to think that Mariota is basically a garbage gimmicky QB that doesn’t even really understand the game of football. I mean, I know he’s not on Jameis’ level at all but even I think the kid is much better than Kap!
October 5th, 2017 at 6:47 am
Jaboo this game is on the shoulders of the offense. Gotta score TDs or field goals on every possession. I don’t wanna see Brian Anger on the field (even though he’s an excellent punter). Let’s see if our front four can show up and make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket
October 5th, 2017 at 6:58 am
Cam was asking if that’s the stunning reporter Jenny lane…
October 5th, 2017 at 7:06 am
Love those ‘Trinkets’ Joe. Just think how good we’d be if we had Aqib Talib & Brent Grimes in the same secondary. Wow. Didn’t Talib used to play for us? Someplace I remember years ago some coach named Schiano essentially gave Talib away to, oh yes, the Patriots. Obviously Aqib didn’t fit our CB ‘mold’ … after all, he is only 6’2″ & 200 lbs & fast & covers like a blanket. Yup, Bucs have done a really good job over the years of developing players … for other teams.
October 5th, 2017 at 7:08 am
I thought it was funny what Cam said, big deal. It is funny and weird to hear a woman talk about running routes.
October 5th, 2017 at 8:05 am
Brady is a system QB.
October 5th, 2017 at 8:37 am
NFLNut:
Look at the gauntlet Montana had to go through to win four Super Bowls:
End of Landry’s Cowboys dynasty.
Giants and Parcells in their heyday.
Redskins and Gibbs in their heyday.
Bears and that defense.
Elway’s Broncos.
Marino and Shula.
Just a little bit tougher than what Brady had to overcome.
Plus, in four Super Bowls, Montana never threw a pick.
October 5th, 2017 at 8:42 am
This is going to be a stressful game to watch. Even if we manage a win, it’s going to be close. Heck, even if we somehow to distance them in the first half, this is Tom Brady…we’ll have to worry about a comeback all game long.
However…
…this would be the perfect week for DJax and Winston to finally connect. Because of that, I’m hoping DJax has 100+ yards and two TDs.
Which, when combined with Mike Evans and the others, should open up our running game. So Martin or Rodgers might just have a big game.
Maybe. That’s if things go our way.
October 5th, 2017 at 8:48 am
Montana played on a stacked team full of Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball in the non Salary Cap Era. What the Pats and Brady have done in the salary cap era will go down as the single greatest run in NFL history.
Respect Montana, and other dynasty QB’s but Brady edges Montana for #1 in my book because, of the competitiveness of the salary cap era vs the non salary cap era that Montana played in. Outside of 1 year with Moss what Hall of Fame receiver has Brady had? Don’t tell me Gronk is a Hall of Famer, not yet anyway.
October 5th, 2017 at 8:49 am
Defense Rules Says
“Someplace I remember years ago some coach named Schiano essentially gave Talib away to, oh yes, the Patriots. Obviously Aqib didn’t fit our CB ‘mold”
Talib was released because he was a locker room issue and an off the field issue. The Bucs did the right thing in getting rid of him.
A point can be made that the shock of the Bucs getting rid of him is what caused Talib to mature. So it was the best thing for him as a man.
Look, we can complain all we want about Talibs, Bennetts and such…but there is no point. The simple truth is that they are not Bucs anymore for whatever reason. We need to move on.
It’s crying over spilled milk when we should be milking the cow again.
October 5th, 2017 at 9:10 am
Seven game steak with no interceptions? Didn’t Brady throw a pick six two weeks ago against the Texans.
October 5th, 2017 at 9:51 am
I think we get completely out schemed tonight – Patriot’s issue on D is mostly a communication issue and not a personnel issue.
If we play off of their WRs – Brady doesn’t mind dinking and dunking all night…They won’t run at all – just use the short passing game as their running game. I see everyone picking this game as a high scoring game. I just don’t see that – The Patriots will get up 2 scores – Then start running the ball to eat clock. The Bucs will abandon the run and Winston will start forcing the ball in his attempt to bring the team back….
27 – 20 (Bucs score late TD to make it look closer)
Go Bucs!
October 5th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Talib was a hothead who infected the entire team. As bad as Schiano was, that was a good decision getting rid of a boil. My NC BFF said that if the Panthers can beat the Putz then so will the Bucs. It will be the offense that gets it done. Belicheat will bring his stable of zebs with him, too. C’mon Tampa Bay!!!
October 5th, 2017 at 10:10 am
BUCS-35…PATS-28….GO BUCS!!!
October 5th, 2017 at 10:44 am
Don Shula not even in your top seven????
October 5th, 2017 at 10:50 am
It scares me when we get overconfident. I’m sure the Pats have a few surprises planned for us as well. Ray Lewis on Inside the NFL picked us to win. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to the kicking game.
October 5th, 2017 at 11:42 am
I know one thing…the open thread is going to be nothing but negative tonight.
October 5th, 2017 at 11:46 am
I’m not even going to try to predict this score. Too many factors.
Jameis could start connecting to DJax.
The defense could play their best game.
Brady could break a finger on his throwing hand.
Our secondary could suddenly start getting picks.
Our defensive line could suddenly start getting sacks.
Our running game could kick it in gear.
Or, more than likely given past experience, The Pats could stomp our faces into the ground.
I may not predict a score, but I sure am hoping for a miracle!
October 5th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Talib told Joe a couple of years ago at the Super Bowl he doesn’t blame the Bucs for dumping him because he burned through all his chances by being an idiot. Story is in the (free) archives.
October 5th, 2017 at 1:31 pm
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Joe … I hear ya on the Montana over Brady comparison and no matter what anyone thinks, Montana’s Super Bowl perfection (i.e going a perfect 4-for-4 and never throwing a single pick) is the most impressive of any QB that has played in multiple SB’s … especially when measured against Brady who lost two SB’s to Eli Manning and his inferior Giants squad, would have lost another most likely had Pete Carrol ran the ball at the goal-line, and even last year, threw a pickable ball on the final drive that had Atlanta’s defender caught (or even had their coaches not had brain-lock and just ran clock in the 4th quarter), would have lost that as well … Brady could very, very easily be 2-4 in the SB.
Of course, the above description of Brady is also why I don’t think rings matter very much at all when assessing an individual players greatness. Barry Sanders was the best pure runner of the football in the history of football and only won ONE measly playoff game in his entire career. Marino, Fouts and Moon were perhaps the three best pure throwers of the football in the history of the game and combined to win a whopping total of ZERO championships.
TEAMS when rings, not individual players.
Regardless … Otto Graham did it all. MVPs, 1st team all-pros, tons of titles, etc … he sits atop the all-time QB G.O.A.T. list for me. And, oh by the way … he also played a key role on an NBA title team as well … there should be a Hollywood movie about Otto’s life!
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October 5th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
NFLNut, I agree with you on a lot of your posts, but I can’t on Otto. That’s like saying Bill Russell is better than Jordan. Defenses are WAY more advanced today then in the past. Football has changed more than any sport in the last 50+ years. I can get on board if your talking about being better than the competition of the time, but if you put Tom Brady or Joe Montana on any team back then I don’t think they’d lose. If you put Otto on the Pats today, he’d get killed. Hard to compare different eras when Otto never heard of a zone-blitz or played against DBs that ran 4.5. If he grew up today, with the knowledge of today’s NFL, I’m sure he’d be ok. We’ll never know that. But drop Keenum back in time and he’d have a field day, too.
October 5th, 2017 at 11:46 pm
GREAT GAME … LET’S SEE A REMATCH IN THE SUPERBOWL!