Well, this is the one we’ve all been waiting for, the New England Patriots take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Tom Brady returns home. If you have any nails left, save them for tomorrow, it’s going to be an experience never to forget.

One’s To Watch

Mac Jones

Tomorrow night will be an experience like no other for Jones, but hopefully, among all of the craziness, he’ll be able to slip under the radar and have a solid game. The Patriots need Jones to have a better performance, but to allow that, they need to do a better job protecting him. Jones won’t have James White as a pass-catching option, so he’ll need to focus more on Meyers and his tight-ends. As always, Jones is one to watch.

J.C. Jackson

Jackson like every week so far this season will be the starting cornerback for the team and will need to be locked in if he’s gonna pick off Brady. Jackson has been impressive in the first few weeks, again, with his contract up in the air, a strong game covering Godwin/Evans will help his cause.

Jakobi Meyers

After hauling in 9 catches for 94 yards against the Saints, Meyers will now shift to Jones’ safety blanket option following James White’s injury. Meyers’ rise continues and whilst he isn’t an explosive-type player, he’s reliable and will be an important piece this week against the Bucs.

Christian Barmore

In the build-up to this game, much was talked about how the Patriots need to disrupt Brady through the middle, as in previous games where Brady lost, that pressure in the middle contributed to the loss. I agree, and I think Barmore is the player for that role, he’s shown the ability to cause disruption so far this season, he’ll be worth watching tomorrow night.

The Brady Bunch

Who for the Bucs could cause problems for the Patriots?

Tom Brady

You all know why this man is a danger, the greatest of all time, looking to beat the Patriots for the first time.

Chris Godwin

I could choose every starting offensive player for the Bucs as a potential danger for the Patriots, but, as I’m keeping it to a minimum, Chris Godwin is my pick here. Godwin is a threat anywhere on the field, particularly in scoring range, and the Patriots will need to cover him well, perhaps J.C. Jackson will get this role.

Cameron Brate

Look for Cameron Brate to be Brady’s top target at the TE position tomorrow as just know it was reported that Gronk won’t travel with the team to New England. The Bucs have depth everywhere on the offense and even in the TE position, Brate is a big threat in the redzone tomorrow for them.

Devin White

Devin White is a scary player, he’ll be a big presence tomorrow in stopping the Patriots run game. A run game that hasn’t had a great start to the season and is stricken further with the loss of James White. With the Bucs secondary in flux with multiple injuries, their linebackers should be the primary focus of their stopping game.

Patriots Fantasy Starter PPR

Jakobi Meyers

For PPR, Meyers is a good option to start in your flex position, he scored 18.40 last week with 9 receptions for 94 yards. He’s not likely to find the endzone, but, he will get a bunch of targets against a patchy Bucs secondary.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 20 – 31 Bucs

The Patriots keep the game competitive through the first three quarters, but succumb to the extreme talent Tampa Bay has to offer, although in my heart I’m pulling for a Pats win, the Bucs take this one at Gillette. Patriots 20 Bucs 31

@clazzyclare – Patriots 16 – 35 Bucs

If the offensive line steps up and the defense can hassle Brady maybe the Patriots have a chance. But realistically this isn’t an equal match up and as good as I think Mac Jones is I can’t really see the Patriots winning. It goes against every fibre of my being but I need to be realistic. Bucs 35 Patriots 16 and I hope to goodness I’m wrong. Go Pats!