Ever since the NFL released the 2021 schedule, this Sunday night matchup featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots has been circled on many fans’ calendars. After all, you don’t often see a quarterback leave a team after almost two decades, and when you do, his descent is often quick…and hard to watch. Tom Brady has once again the defied the odds, heading to Tampa Bay and leading a team that missed the playoffs in 2019 to a Super Bowl title. Now he comes home to face his former head coach, Bill Belichick, in a reunion that has overshadowed the Xs and Os of the matchup.
Don’t miss our NFL betting preview of this prime time clash.
NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots (Sunday, October 3)
When: Sunday, October 3, 2021, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Tampa Bay -7 / O/U 49 // Tampa Bay -300 / New England +240
Why should you bet on the Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay returns home after losing to the Los Angeles Rams a week ago — the Buccaneers’ first setback since November 2020. They bring in a 2-1 record and the best scoring offense in the NFL, and they also can shut down the run, as their run defense is in the league’s top five. Their passing defense is a bit of a problem, as they permit 349.7 yards per game through the air (31st overall), and the Rams were able to take advantage of that weakness (as were the Cowboys in Week One). However, the Patriots have rookie Mac Jones at quarterback, and he is still working on his intermediate and deep passes.
Tom Brady only needs 68 passing yards to become the all-time leading passer in NFL history. Drew Brees holds the current record (80,358 yards). Given that Brady threw for 432 yards in Week Three, breaking this record at Gillette Stadium is extremely likely. If you like the Buccaneers, you see them working to get after Mac Jones with the pass rush and tighten up their coverage schemes. After all, these are the same starters who put up stout defensive numbers against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LV.
Why should you put your money on the Patriots?
Mac Jones has had his ups and downs, but it’s important to remember that he’s a rookie, and among rookie quarterbacks, he leads the league in passing yards (737), completion percentage (67.5) and completions (81). Tampa Bay ranks second in the NFL in pressures against opposing quarterbacks, and Jones will need to be ready to get rid of the ball quickly. Expect tailback Damien Harris to get plenty of touches as the Patriots look to open up passing opportunities with the running game.
New England comes in as the underdog for the first time this season after losing at home to New Orleans, 28-13. The halftime score was 14-3, and then Jones started the second half with a pick-six. On the day, Jones attempted 51 passes and threw three interceptions, but falling in that hole scorewise meant the team had to abandon the running game. If Jones can hold up in the pocket, he should see open targets against the Tampa secondary.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
If New Orleans could come in and hang three offensive touchdowns on the Patriot defense, then I would imagine that Tom Brady could do that by halftime. The Patriots will have a hard time keeping their offense on the field against the Buccaneers’ stout running defense and pass rush, so while they might hit on a bomb or two down the field, they will have a hard time keeping up. I predict a final score of Tampa Bay 34, New England 17.
NFL Betting Odds
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