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Buccaneers: Five biggest games of the 2017 season

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and quarterback Tom Brady hold Super Bowl trophies prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and quarterback Tom Brady hold Super Bowl trophies prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Week Five: vs. New England

I said that the AFC East doesn’t offer much? Well these guys are the exceptions. Look who we have coming into Raymond James to start the second quarter of the season. It’s none other than Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the rest of the Super Bowl winning New England Patriots, eager to win yet another divisional crown and get back to the big game. Adding our old friend Brandin Cooks to the mix makes them, dare I say, even scarier than before.

This will actually be the first time the Patriots have played the Bucs in Florida since November of 1997, when the Bucs beat them 27-7. The Bucs have lost their last three games against New England, and haven’t beaten them since the year 2000. That day, a third quarter touchdown by Mike Alstott proved to be the difference in a 21-16 victory.

In three matchups against the Bucs, Brady has been spectacular, completing 68% of his passes and throwing for eight touchdowns. Gerald McCoy and company are going to need to get in his face to have any chance to win. This will be as good of an early season litmus test as you can find. How far along is this team? We will really figure that out with this one. It is the Bucs chance to make a statement to the rest of the NFL. Even if they simply play well, the league will take notice.

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