Buccaneers vs Patriots: Five game-changing players for Week 5

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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gestures from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

The Buccaneers (2-1) are fresh off a last-second 25-23 win over the Giants, but face a quick turnaround this week. The defending Super Bowl champion Patriots are coming to town for a primetime Thursday Night Football matchup. Here, we break down five players who can change the outcome of Thursday’s game.

Through three games, we’ve seen a lot from the Buccaneers. We saw a blowout win, a blowout loss and a thrilling, last-second victory. That Tampa Bay was able to grind out a win on Sunday against New York was huge, especially considering New England is waiting right around the corner. When the 2017 schedule came out, it was clear that a four-game stretch with the Vikings, Giants, Patriots and Cardinals in a span of 22 days was going to be challenging. Well, the Bucs are halfway through it.

Any time you’re hosting the defending champions, it’s going to be a tough task. It’s even tougher when those champions include the ageless Tom Brady and football mastermind Bill Belichick. New England is just 2-2 through the first quarter of the season, having just lost 33-30 to the Panthers on Sunday. The Patriots will be angry, and it doesn’t surprise anyone that two straight losses is a rare occurrence for this team. Since 2001, New England is 38-11 in games that have come after a loss. The Bucs are looking to make that 38-12 this Thursday.

Obviously, the Patriots are a great team. The Bucs look to be on their way. There will be loads of talent on the field this week. Which five players will most impact the game’s outcome?

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