NFL has perfect opportunity to flex Buccaneers into primetime

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a much-needed bye in Week 9, that they can use to rest up and get healthy ahead of the second half of the season.

Upon returning from the bye week, they have an intriguing matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 10. At the halfway point of the season, the Patriots are one of the league's most surprising teams. They sit at 6-2 and in first place in the AFC East, even ahead of the contending Buffalo Bills after beating them head to head.

The Bucs and Patriots are currently set to face off at 1 p.m., but there is a legitimate case to make that the game deserves a primetime slot to showcase two of the league's best teams in front of a national audience.

The current Sunday Night Football game is scheduled as Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers. If the league is reluctant to reschedule a game with massive AFC playoff implications featuring Aaron Rodgers in what is likely his final season, which is understandable, the game should at least be showcased on FOX in the afternoon window with Tom Brady calling the matchup for America's Game of the Week.

Top storylines for Bucs vs. Patriots in Week 10

Baker Mayfield vs. Drake Maye

The headline of this matchup is the showdown between Baker Mayfield and Drake Maye, who currently find themselves as two of the early favorites in the MVP race.

Mayfield has cooled down from his hot start over the last few weeks, but remains one of the NFL's most impressive quarterbacks this season. He has the Buccaneers at 6-2, tied for the best start through eight games in franchise history. He has led four game-winning drives and has had to carry the team on his back due to a disastrous injury situation on both sides of the ball.

He has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards with 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions despite spending most of the season without his top pass catchers on offense. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan have all missed multiple games, while the offense also had to operate without rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka in the second half of the win over the 49ers due to a hamstring injury. Mayfield's clutch play and leadership with so many crucial teammates injured have commanded the respect of his peers and the national media alike.

Maye on the other hand has been arguably the league's best young quarterback, completing an impressive 75% of his passes and throwing for over 2,000 yards with 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His success throwing down the field has been one of the stories of the league, with Maye being one of the most efficient deep passers ever so far this season.

In fact, he's more likely to throw a touchdown (5) than an incompletion (4) on pass attempts 20+ yards down the field.

The chance to showcase these two MVP candidates is an opportunity the NFL needs to capitalize on.

Tom Brady's former teams face off

Another key storyline ahead of this game is the meeting between Brady's former teams. He spent a prolific 20 seasons in New England where he led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships and made a legacy for himself as the greatest quarterback of all-time.

His legacy only grew when he joined the Buccaneers at 43-years-old and led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl in his first season with the team, in the franchise's first playoff berth in 13 years and first championship in 18 years.

Now that Brady has retired and his two former teams have each been able to find great quarterback play, this matchup offers a glimpse at how both franchises have transitioned into a new era post-Brady. Flexing the game to the FOX afternoon window and having Brady call the game would only add another exciting layer.

Buccaneers face tough test against elite Patriots units

The Patriots currently rank No. 8 in offensive points per game with 26.6, while the Bucs rank No. 16 defensively with 22.3 points allowed per game.

On the flip side, the Buccaneers offense, which is ranked No. 14, scoring 24.6 points per game, will have a tall task facing an elite Patriots defense that ranks No. 4 in the NFL with only 18.3 points allowed per game.

Patriots talented CBs vs Buccaneers WRs, Carlton Davis III returns to Tampa Bay

The Patriots top cornerback is Christian Gonzalez, who is one of the NFL's elite lockdown defenders. But on the other side will be Carlton Davis III, a former fan-favorite in Tampa Bay who played a big role in the team's Super Bowl run in 2020.

While Mike Evans' heartbreaking injury robs fans of the opportunity to watch Evans and Davis line up against each other, seeing Davis return to Raymond James Stadium lined up against Egbuka and the team's other talented receivers will be must-see TV.