Buccaneers vs. Patriots: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Time and Predictions
By Chris Roling
Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) throws the ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Two familiar foes will do battle when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New England Patriots in one of Week 3’s marquee matchups.
Tampa Bay is fresh off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints in which the team once again showed a lack of control with personal foul issues. New England won a close game over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football to remain perfect on the year.
Here’s everything fans need to know about the game.
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
When: 1:00 PM ET, September 22, 2013
Watch: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, Game Rewind
Buccaneers Player to Watch: Doug Martin
Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs past New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Jenkins (92) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Doug Martin starting the season off extremely slow against the New York Jets with only 65 yards rushing and one touchdown. He followed that up by exploding for 144 yards last week against New Orleans but was held out of the endzone.
Tampa Bay is going to need Martin at the top of his game once more in order to keep pace with the elite offense of the Patriots. An ability to find the endzone this time around would help as well. Josh Freeman cannot do it on his own, so Martin better have a big day.
Patriots Player to Watch: Julian Edelman
Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs the ball New York Jets during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
It sounds as if Danny Amendola is going to miss another game, meaning it is time for Julian Edelman to step up once again. Edelman did just that last week with a ridiculous 13 receptions, but did very little with the receptions as he only had 78 yards.
Edelman needs to have a bigger game in terms of yardage and finding the endzone for the Patriots to pull away from an elite Tampa Bay defense. There’s an outside chance Rob Gronkowski will be back, but how effective he can be is hard to say. The ball is in Edelman’s court once again.
Matchup to Watch: Buccaneers vs. Themselves
Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano walks off the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
23 penalties for 220 yards—that’s how badly the Buccaneers have shot themselves in the foot this season through just two games. Head coach Greg Schiano has no control over his team, but he better find a way to reel them in against a team as sound as New England.
The biggest thing is for Tampa Bay to stop with the personal fouls. Whether it’s a tough-guy act or plain ignorance doesn’t matter—it’s costing the team games.
Time will tell if the Buccaneers can get it together, but it has to happen now.
Prediction
Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with teammate Ryan Mallett (15) after throwing a touchdown pass to running back Shane Vereen (34) during the fourth quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately it’s hard to think things suddenly change in Tampa Bay in the span of one week. The team is what it is at this point and even has a quarterback controversy and a disgruntled star in Darrelle Revis.
Regardless of what players and coaches say publicly, things are a mess. That’s not the case in New England, where the only issue is health. The Patriots offense with Tom Brady will get things going and not look back.
Patriots 35, Buccaneers 14