Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head up north to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots in Sunday Night Football tonight. Take a look below for start time, channel, and live stream information, as well as a prediction for this Week 4 Sunday Night Football game littered with storylines.
Sunday Night Football channel, live stream | Bucs at Patriots
- Start time: 8:15 PM ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live streams:
- NBC Sports App
- Hulu Live TV
- FuboTV
- YouTubeTV
- Locast (select markets)
- AT&T TV
- NFL Mobile App
Sunday Night Football expectations for Tampa Bay vs. New England tonight
There is one obvious story on everyone’s mind tonight: the first meeting between Brady and the franchise he was a legend with for 20 seasons. Will his former head coach, Bill Belichick, be able to stifle the future Hall of Fame QB?
Brady’s return to Gillette
NFL fans have been treated to an exciting lineup of Sunday Night Football games to begin the season. Week 1 debuted a Matthew Stafford-led Los Angeles Rams offense against the Chicago Bears. In Week 2, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson earned his first head-to-head victory over Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Then, QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers shook their recent struggles against San Francisco with a vintage win in Week 3.
Week 4 features a drama-ridden matchup like no other in recent memory. Brady played for New England for 20 seasons, leading the franchise to six Super Bowl titles. Now, after helping lead Tampa Bay to their second Super Bowl in team history, Brady faces off against his former coach for the first time.
The Buccaneers are coming off their first loss of the 2021 season after last week’s game against the undefeated Rams. Yet, their follow-up contest vs. the Patriots in tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup isn’t nearly as intimidating.
Tampa Bay’s defense should lead the charge
There’s no denying New England’s defense has played well this year based on stats alone. However, it tells a different story when looking a bit deeper.
Through three weeks, the Patriots have faced three of the bottom-five offenses in the NFL as far as yards produced: the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. They’ve lost two of those games.
This Sunday Night Football game tonight features a test this Patriots defense has yet to see this season. They might hold firm, but will they have anything to back them up? After all, New England’s offense itself is not too far down that list. They average the sixth-lowest points per game at 18.
This game features the first mediocre QB the Buccaneers will face this season. Belichick might scheme up an excellent game plan for Sunday Night Football tonight, but his offense will not be able to keep up with this talented Tampa Bay defensive front.
Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians called out his defense this week. Specifically, linebacker Shaquil Barrett, due to their lack of pressure on the QB. That adds more fuel to the fire for this defense who is hungry for a stout showing. Tampa’s offense might struggle early but should get plenty of chances to figure things out. Furthermore, their defense could give rookie QB Mac Jones fits. Buccaneers win this one, 31-17.
Sunday Night Football Schedule: September
- Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams – September 12
- Final: Bears 14, Rams 34
- Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens – September 19
- Final: Chiefs 35, Ravens 36
- Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – September 26
- Final: Packers 30, 49ers 28
October
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots – October 3
- Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – October 10
- Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 17
- Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers – October 24
- Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – October 31
November
- Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams – November 7
- Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders – November 14
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers – November 21
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – November 28
December
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – December 5
- Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – December 12
- New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 19
- Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys – December 26
January
- Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – January 2
- Week 18 TBD – January 9