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Patriots provide Bucs with inspiration

The New England Patriots (2-2) travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers (2-1) in an AFC-NFC showdown.

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The Buccaneers are hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007 this year, and a win over the defending champions would be a huge confidence booster for this group.

“I don’t really see it like that”, he said. But the game prior, the Vikings defense figured out the third-year pro.

Can the Patriots stop him and, more specifically, Winston?

“I just have to get on track with him and I have to play better in all respect (s)”, Winston said.

Other than college, as an unknown, Brady has never played in Tampa.

Can it get better?

Tampa Bay will be in an all-red set at home. That’s where a lot of his biggest plays came from in 2016. This one could be a shootout in the end, I’m just glad the Patriots have the greatest player of all-time slinging the ball for them. They have a rare chance to catch the Patriots when they are reeling a bit, at least on one side of the ball.

It is hard to say even after four weeks of disgusting defensive play by the Patriots but play your players against the Patriots. The test doesn’t get any easier against Evans and the upstart Bucs’ passing attack. “That’s the old saying, and that’s what we are going to do”. “He’s still getting better and better”.

We all know it’s going to come someday.

How well might the greatest quarterback of all time perform against that defense? The wait is over and we’ll see them debuted on Thursday night. In their two losses, New England allowed 37.5 points per game.

Among their advantages in most games, which includes coaching and quarterback play, is fear. As a starter, Brady is 43-10 in games following a loss. “But we’re the only people who can do something about it”.

Cross has caught two passes for 11 yards in three games with Tampa Bay this season. Bill Belichick is 4-1 in career against Bucs (3-1 with New England). Through four games he leads the National Football League in passing yards (1,399) and touchdown passes (10, tied with Aaron Rodgers), and is second in quarterback rating (116.6).

Tom Brady and the Patriots’ passing game are as deadly as ever, ranking first in the National Football League in yards per game and second in yards per pass play. Alex Smith threw for a combined 406 yards in the two games following his 368-yard, four-touchdown performance in New England.

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The general consensus in the locker room is that part of the problem has been communication. Still, with a short week of prep the veterans have the edge here and that bodes well for New England. “There’s no more next week”.

Bucs' Jackson searching for chemistry with Winston