2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers–New England Patriots game
{{Short description|2021 professional American football game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL single game
| name = The Return: 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers–New England Patriots game
| image = Gillette Stadium (Top View).jpg
| caption = The game was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
| visitor = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| visitor_abbr = TB
| visitor_coach = Bruce Arians
| visitor_place =
| visitor_record = 2–1
| home = New England Patriots
| home_abbr = NE
| home_coach = Bill Belichick
| home_place =
| home_record = 1–2
| visitor_qtr1 = 3
| visitor_qtr2 = 3
| visitor_qtr3 = 7
| visitor_qtr4 = 6
| visitor_total = 19
| home_qtr1 = 0
| home_qtr2 = 7
| home_qtr3 = 0
| home_qtr4 = 10
| home_total = 17
| date = October 3, 2021
| stadium = Gillette Stadium
| city = Foxborough, Massachusetts
| referee = Bill Vinovich
| attendance = 65,878
| network = NBC
| announcers = Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, and Terry McAulay
| radio station =
| radio announcers = Bob Socci and Scott Zolak/Gene Deckerhoff, Dave Moore, and T.J. Rives/Carlos Bohorquez and Martin Gramatica/Carlos Mauricio Ramirez and Jorge Andres/Edgar Lopez and Rene Giraldo
}}
On October 3, 2021, during week 4 of the 2021 NFL season, the defending Super Bowl LV champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the hosting New England Patriots by a score of 19–17 on NBC Sunday Night Football. The game was highly anticipated as Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady played his first game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against his former team, his long-time former head coach Bill Belichick, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Brady had previously spent 20 seasons with the Patriots between 2000 and 2019, leading the Patriots to a league-tying record of six championships. NBC Sports marketed the game with the tagline "The Return" in promotional material.{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Charles |date=2021-09-27 |title=The Adele-themed NBC commercial promoting Tom Brady facing the Patriots is too perfect |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/tom-brady-patriots-buccaneers-nbc-adele-commercial |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}
In the rainy evening game where the Buccaneers were favored to win, Brady threw for 269 yards and no touchdowns, passing Drew Brees as the NFL all-time career passing yards leader in the process. Brady's efforts helped lead the Buccaneers to a comeback victory and improve their season record to 3–1. The Patriots fanbase warmly welcomed Brady back to Gillette Stadium before the game,{{Cite web |last=Houde |first=Isaiah |date=2021-10-04 |title=Watch chilling moment as Patriots crowd roars for Tom Brady's return |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/03/watch-chilling-moment-as-patriots-crowd-roars-for-tom-bradys-return/ |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=Patriots Wire |language=en-US}} but quickly turned their attention to rookie quarterback Mac Jones. Throwing for 275 yards and two touchdown passes, Jones nearly led the Patriots to an upset victory. In a back and forth game where four lead changes occurred in the fourth quarter alone, it would be the Patriots' turnovers, lack of a rushing attack, and ultimately a missed field goal that cost them a chance to win, and the Patriots' season record lowered to 1–3 as a result.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=2021-10-03 |title=Sunday Night Football: Buccaneers hold on to win Tom Brady's New England homecoming 19-17 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/sunday-night-football-buccaneers-hold-040123930.html |access-date=2021-11-04 |website=Yahoo! |language=en-US}}
The game was highly marketed and went on to become the second most-watched broadcast of NBC Sunday Night Football in its history.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Nate |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady's return to face Patriots nets second-highest 'Sunday Night Football' TV ratings ever for NBC |url=https://news.yahoo.com/tom-bradys-return-face-patriots-204106837.html |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=Yahoo! News |language=en-US}}
Background
{{see also|Brady–Belichick era}}
From {{nfly|2000}} to {{nfly|2019}}, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady had led the New England Patriots to one of the most successful tenures for any team in NFL history, winning six Super Bowls together in that timespan. On March 17, 2020, the day before what would become his final contract with the Patriots expired, Brady announced that he would not re-sign with the team for the 2020 season, ending his 20-year tenure in New England.{{Cite web |last=Gaydos |first=Ryan |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Tom Brady to join Tampa Bay Buccaneers, agrees to deal in principle: report |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tom-brady-buccaneers-agrees-deal-in-principle-report |access-date=March 18, 2020 |website=Fox News}}
{{multiple image
| align = left
| direction = horizontal
| footer = The anticipated matchup set Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (left) against his former team and his coach of 20 years, Bill Belichick (right) and the New England Patriots.
| footer_align = left
| image1 = NFL 2020 - Playoffs - Washington vs. Buccaneers 223 (50833097576).jpg
| width1 = 122
| image2 = Bill Belichick 2019 crop.jpg
| width2 = 150
}}
He then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=March 20, 2020 |title=Tom Brady officially signs contract with Buccaneers |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-officially-signs-contract-with-buccaneers-0ap3000001107130 |access-date=March 21, 2020 |website=NFL.com |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC}} proceeding to lead them to a wild-card berth in the playoffs, their first playoff appearance since {{nfly|2007}}, and ultimately to win Super Bowl LV, their first championship win since {{nfly|2002}}.{{Cite web |last=Kostka |first=Andy |date=February 7, 2021 |title=Buccaneers become seventh wild card team to win Super Bowl |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/7/buccaneers-become-seventh-wild-card-team-win-super/ |access-date=2021-08-12 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}} This also became Brady's 7th championship win, the most by a single player in NFL history. With the win, Brady became the oldest quarterback in Super Bowl history to start, play, win, and earn the Super Bowl MVP award, his fifth overall.{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Super Bowl 2021: Tom Brady stands alone in 101-year history of NFL with 7th championship |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/super-bowl-2021-tom-brady-stands-alone-in-101-year-history-of-nfl-with-7th-championship/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 8, 2021 |website=CBS Sports |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208055930/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/super-bowl-2021-tom-brady-stands-alone-in-101-year-history-of-nfl-with-7th-championship/ |archive-date=February 8, 2021 }}
The Patriots, however, struggled without Brady in {{nfly|2020}}, suffering their first losing season since 2000 and missing the playoffs for the first time since {{nfly|2008}},{{Cite web |last=Levin |first=Jake |date=2020-12-28 |title=Patriots Blown Out by Bills, Clinch First Losing Season Since 2000 |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/sports/patriots-blown-out-by-bills-clinch-first-losing-season-since-2000/2267563/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=NBC Boston |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Jeremy |date=2020-12-20 |title=Patriots eliminated from postseason contention for first time since 2008 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-eliminated-from-postseason-contention-for-first-time-since-2008 |access-date=2020-12-21 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} with former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton playing as the starter that year.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Cam Newton named Patriots' starting QB, team captain, source says |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29803577/cam-newton-named-patriots-starting-qb-source-says |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} The Patriots selected Mac Jones from Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=DePrisco |first=Mike |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Alabama QB Mac Jones falls to Patriots in 2021 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/alabama-qb-mac-jones-falls-patriots-2021-nfl-draft |access-date=May 1, 2021 |website=NBC Sports}} Jones beat out Newton during the offseason for the starting position, resulting in the latter's release.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Patriot cut Cam Newton as Mac Jones wins starting quarterback battle |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/31/patriot-cut-cam-newton-as-mac-jones-wins-starting-quarterback-battle/ |access-date=August 31, 2021 |website=ProFootballTalk}}
Tampa Bay entered the matchup at 2–1 and were 7-point favorites to win against New England, who entered at 1–2. Prior to the game, NBC Sports released a promotional video set to Adele's "Hello" featuring a montage of Brady in his Patriots and Buccaneers tenures with the tagline "The Return". Much anticipation was also put into Brady potentially passing Drew Brees for the most career passing yards in NFL history and professional gridiron football history.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=2021-09-28 |title=Tom Brady set to break Drew Brees' passing yardage record on Sunday night in New England |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/28/tom-brady-set-to-break-drew-brees-passing-yardage-record-on-sunday-night-in-new-england/ |access-date=2021-10-28 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Coming into the game, Brady had thrown for 80,291 yards in his career, and needed only needed 68 more to pass Brees, who retired the year before with a career total of 80,358 yards thrown.{{Cite web |last=Sutelan |first=Edward |date=2021-10-03 |title=NFL passing yards record: Tom Brady poised to make poetic QB history in Patriots reunion |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-passing-yards-record-tom-brady/qwgp0a2yagsp16owc8ak8tldp |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=Sporting News |language=en-US}}
In the week leading up to the matchup, both Brady and Belichick spoke fondly of their time with one another in the press, with Brady calling Belichick a "great mentor" and Belichick calling Brady a "special player".{{Cite web |last=Axson |first=Scooby |date=2021-09-28 |title=Tom Brady addresses return to New England: 'Not a time to reminisce' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/09/28/tampa-bay-buccaneers-tom-brady-new-england-return/5895865001/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Pickman |first=Ben |date=2021-09-27 |title=Belichick Says He Never Wanted Brady to Leave NE: 'We Weren't As Good An Option As Tampa' |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/09/27/bill-belichick-patriots-tom-brady-departure |access-date=2021-10-25 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US}} However, both said they were more focused on preparing for the game rather than reminiscing about the past.
Game summary
=Pre-game=
Hours prior to the game, Patriots owner Robert Kraft greeted Brady outside the visitors' locker room and the two exchanged warm words.{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Barry |date=2021-10-03 |title=Tom Brady, Robert Kraft exchange a hug at Gillette Stadium |url=https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/10/03/tampa-bay-buccaneers-tom-brady-robert-kraft-exchange-a-hug-at-gillette-stadium-new-england-patriots/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=Touchdown Wire |language=en-US}} Brady received a standing ovation at Gillette Stadium when he took the field for warmups, with Patriots fans chanting his name. The stadium's video screens showed a tribute video shortly before kickoff highlighting Brady's accomplishments during his 20-year tenure with the team.{{Cite web |last=Goss |first=Nick |date=2021-10-03 |title=Watch Patriots' tribute video honoring Tom Brady before Bucs game |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/watch-patriots-tribute-video-honoring-tom-brady-buccaneers-game |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=First quarter=
New England received the ball first, and their first drive ended with a punt. While the Patriots fans gave quarterback Tom Brady a warm reception prior to the game,{{Cite web |date=2022-01-26 |title='All That Is On My Mind Is The Gratitude I Have For This Team': Tom Brady On His Future With The Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/10000421/all-that-is-on-my-mind-is-the-gratitude-i-have-for-this-team-to |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=The Inquisitr}} the cheers turned to boos when he took the field with the Buccaneers offense, as he was now on the opposing team.{{Cite magazine |last=Selbe |first=Nick |date=2021-10-03 |title=Tom Brady Booed by Patriots Fans in Return to Gillette Stadium |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/10/04/tom-brady-booed-patriots-fans-buccaneers-sunday-night-football |access-date=2021-10-25 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US}} Brady threw for 14 yards on the drive, inching him closer to Drew Brees' record for most career passing yards in NFL history, but the drive ended with the punt. The next Patriots possession resulted in a three-and-out, returning the ball to the Buccaneers.
Later in the ensuing Tampa Bay drive, Brady completed a 28-yard completion on a crossing route to wide receiver Mike Evans to New England's 14-yard line. With the pass, he officially surpassed Brees' career passing yardage total.{{Cite web |last=Laine |first=Jenna |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady overtakes Drew Brees to claim NFL's career passing yards record |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32334871/tom-brady-overtakes-drew-brees-claim-nfl-career-passing-yards-record |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=ESPN |language=en}} As Brees was on the sideline for the game as part of the Sunday Night Football broadcast team, he witnessed Brady overtaking his record in person and applauded the accomplishment.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=2021-10-03 |title=Drew Brees was there to clap for Tom Brady breaking his passing record thanks to on-location Football Night in America |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/drew-brees-was-there-to-clap-for-tom-brady-breaking-his-passing-record-thanks-to-on-location-football-night-in-america.html |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en}} A brief moment of acknowledgement was displayed on the video screens, but no additional stoppage of play occurred.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=2021-10-03 |title=Tom Brady becomes NFL's all-time leading passer, breaking Drew Brees' record during Patriots homecoming|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tom-brady-becomes-nfls-all-time-leading-passer-breaking-drew-brees-record-during-patriots-homecoming/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}} The drive resulted in placekicker Ryan Succop scoring a field goal to give Tampa Bay an early 3–0 lead with 4:49 left in the first quarter. On the next Patriots drive, quarterback Mac Jones was intercepted by safety Antoine Winfield Jr., allowing Brady to lead Tampa Bay down the field again.
=Second quarter=
By the start of the second quarter, Brady led the team to the New England's 18-yard line. Due to a rib injury suffered the previous week by tight end Rob Gronkowski, who also played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2018,{{Cite web |last=Goss |first=Nick |date=2021-10-01 |title=Patriots-Bucs Week 4 injury report: Rob Gronkowski doubtful to play |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/patriots-buccaneers-week-4-injury-report-rob-gronkowski-doubtful-play |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Tampa Bay struggled to score in the red zone. Succop then missed a field goal attempt that would have doubled the Buccaneers' lead.
Jones then led the Patriots on a 11-play, 74-yard drive which ended on an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry, giving the team a 7–3 lead. After trading punts, Brady drove Tampa Bay to the New England 26-yard line right before halftime. Dropped passes due to the wet conditions stalled the drive, and Succop kicked a 44-yard field goal with 18 seconds left. The Patriots then ran out the clock to finish the first half. The Buccaneers offense outgained the Patriots 227 yards to 129 in the first two quarters, but the score was 7–6 at halftime with the Patriots leading.
=Third quarter=
Tampa Bay received the second half kickoff, but went three-and-out. The Patriots took over near midfield, but three plays into the drive, running back J. J. Taylor fumbled at the Tampa Bay 28-yard line which was recovered by the Buccaneers. Though they failed to score any points, they were able to punt and pin New England deep in their own territory. On the ensuring drive, with excellent field position, Tampa Bay took a 13–7 lead with a 8-yard touchdown run by running back Ronald Jones.
Mac Jones drove the Patriots down the field swiftly and eventually achieved 19 consecutive pass completions in the process, becoming the first rookie quarterback in 40 years to achieve such a feat and tying Brady's personal best with the team.{{Cite web |last=Goss |first=Nick |date=2021-10-04 |title=Mac Jones became first rookie QB to achieve this feat in 40 years vs. Bucs|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/mac-jones-became-first-rookie-qb-achieve-feat-40-years-vs-buccaneers |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=Fourth quarter=
Mac Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jonnu Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter, returning the lead to the Patriots 14–13. With running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones the leading rushers on the night, Tampa Bay's more balanced offense again drove into the red zone, but had to again settle for a field goal. With under 8 minutes left in regulation, Succop kicked another field goal to give Tampa Bay the lead at 16–14.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers caught a 21-yard reception, then executed a double reverse pass to receiver Nelson Agholor, setting the Patriots up at the Tampa Bay 8-yard line. The Buccaneers defense stiffened, and the Patriots had to settle for a field goal, and a 17–16 lead. Tampa Bay took over with 4:34 remaining in regulation. A pass interference penalty on the Patriots advanced Tampa Bay to the New England 44-yard line. The drive stalled at the 30-yard line, and Succop kicked the go-ahead field goal as the game hit the two-minute warning.
Trailing 19–17, Mac Jones drove the Patriots into Tampa Bay territory, aided by a pass interference call on safety Jordan Whitehead. With heavy rain now falling, New England faced a 3rd & 3 at the Tampa Bay 37. Mac Jones' pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage by linebacker Lavonte David, bringing up fourth down. With 59 seconds left in regulation, in a driving rain, New England placekicker Nick Folk's 56-yard field attempt hit the left upright and fell no good. Tampa Bay ran out the clock, and beat the Patriots for the first time since 2000.{{Cite web |last=Vatour |first=Matt |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady was far from terrific, but Bucs beat Patriots on Sunday Night Football |url=https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2021/10/tom-brady-was-far-from-terrific-but-buccaneers-beat-patriots-19-17-on-sunday-night-football.html |access-date=2021-10-04 |website=masslive |language=en}}
=Statistics=
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=2021|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=2021 Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots – Game summary
|date=October 3
|time=8:20 p.m. EDT
|road=Buccaneers
|R1=3|R2=3|R3=7|R4=6
|home=Patriots
|H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=10
|stadium=Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
|attendance=65,878
|weather=Rain, {{convert|61|F|C}}
|referee=Bill Vinovich
|TV=NBC
|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/buccaneers-at-patriots-2021-reg-4 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58565/NE_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]
|scoring=
First quarter
- TB – Ryan Succop 45-yard field goal, 4:49. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 3:53.
Second quarter
- NE – Hunter Henry 11-yard pass from Mac Jones (Nick Folk kick), 8:28. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 6:21.
- TB – Ryan Succop 44-yard field goal, 0:13. Patriots 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 1:36.
Third quarter
- TB – Ronald Jones II 8-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 3:29. Buccaneers 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:48.
Fourth quarter
- NE – Jonnu Smith 1-yard pass from Mac Jones (Nick Folk kick), 14:57. Patriots 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:32.
- TB – Ryan Succop 27-yard field goal, 7:58. Buccaneers 16–14. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 6:59.
- NE – Nick Folk 27-yard field goal, 4:34. Patriots 17–16. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:24.
- TB – Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal, 1:57. Buccaneers 19–17. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 2:37.
|stats=
Top passers
Top rushers
- TB – Leonard Fournette – 20 rushes, 91 yards
- NE – Nelson Agholor – 1 rush, 4 yards
Top receivers
- TB – Mike Evans – 7 receptions, 75 yards
- NE – Jakobi Meyers – 8 receptions, 70 yards
}}
Aftermath
Immediately after the game, Brady and Belichick shared a quick embrace on the field before Brady greeted his former teammates and other members of the Patriots organization.{{Cite web |last=Westerholm |first=Tom |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady was far from terrific, but Bucs beat Patriots on Sunday Night Football |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2021/10/04/brady-belichick-hug/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=Boston.com |language=en}} Though fans criticized Belichick for his lack of warmth displayed towards his former quarterback, the two privately spoke at length in the Buccaneers locker room following the game.{{Cite web |last=Nesbitt |first=Andy |date=2021-10-04 |title=NFL fans ripped Bill Belichick for his quick and awkward hug with Tom Brady after 'SNF' loss |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/tom-brady-bill-belichick-shared-awkward-hug-after-buccaneers-patriots-snf |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today |language=en}}
With the victory over his former team, Brady became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to record a win against all 32 current teams in the league, joining Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. In addition, he became the sixth quarterback to have a victory against every incumbent NFL franchise after Fran Tarkenton and Joe Montana, as the league only had 28 teams during the latter two's respective tenures.{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady joins Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre as only QBs in NFL history to beat all 32 teams |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tom-brady-joins-peyton-manning-drew-brees-and-brett-favre-as-only-qbs-in-nfl-history-to-beat-all-32-teams/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}
Drawing in 28.5 million viewers nationwide, Brady's return to New England became the second most-watched Sunday Night Football game on NBC after the Dallas–Washington 2012 season finale to clinch the NFC East.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Nate |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady's return was the second most-watched 'Sunday Night Football' game ever on NBC |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/10/04/tom-brady-buccaneers-patriots-return-tv-ratings/5995703001/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=USA Today |language=en}} The broadcast also scored a 43.8 rating and 70 share in Boston, making it the city's second-biggest audience for a regular season Patriots game after New England clinched their undefeated season against the New York Giants in 2007.{{Cite web |last=Reimer |first=Alex |date=2021-10-04 |title=Tom Brady's return was the second most-watched 'Sunday Night Football' game ever on NBC |url=https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/tom-bradys-return-was-the-2nd-most-watched-snf-game-ever |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=WEEI-FM |language=en}}
Both teams qualified for the playoffs following this season. New England finished the season 10–7, good for second in the AFC East and the conference's #6 seed. However, they lost to Buffalo 17-47 in the Wild Card Round, ending their season.{{cite news|last=Getzenberg|first=Alaina|title=Buffalo Bills make playoff history with 7 touchdown drives in blowout win vs. New England Patriots|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33076081/buffalo-bills-make-playoff-history-7-touchdown-drives-blowout-win-vs-new-england-patriots|work=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Inc.|agency=Associated Press|date=January 15, 2022|access-date=January 25, 2022}} Tampa Bay finished 13–4 to clinch the NFC South title and the conference's #2 seed. Tampa Bay defeated Philadelphia 31-15 in the Wild Card round for Brady's 35th, and ultimately final, playoff win, extending his record.{{Cite web |last=Reardon |first=Logan |date=January 16, 2022 |title=Tom Brady, Buccaneers Roll Over Eagles With 31-15 Wild Card Victory |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/sports/super-bowl-2022/tom-brady-buccaneers-roll-over-eagles-with-31-15-wild-card-victory/2614227/ |access-date=January 25, 2022 |website=NBC Boston |language=en-US}} In the Divisional Round, they lost to the eventual Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams by a score of 27-30.{{Cite web |last1= Walker |first1=Patrik |last2=Sullivan |first2=Tyler |date=January 23, 2022 |title=Buccaneers vs. Rams score: Los Angeles survives epic meltdown, knocks out Tampa Bay in walk-off fashion |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-vs-rams-score-los-angeles-survives-epic-meltdown-knocks-out-tampa-bay-in-walk-off-fashion/live/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2022 |website=CBS Sports |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124005117/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-vs-rams-score-los-angeles-survives-epic-meltdown-knocks-out-tampa-bay-in-walk-off-fashion/live/ |archive-date=January 24, 2022 }}
On February 1, 2023, Brady would officially retire after 23 seasons in the NFL, while Belichick parted ways with the Patriots on January 11, 2024 after 24 seasons as their head coach.{{Cite news |title=Tom Brady Says He's Retiring, for Good This Time |work=The New York Times |date=February 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/sports/football/tom-brady-retires.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |url-status=live |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206004134/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/sports/football/tom-brady-retires.html |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |last1=Morgan |first1=Emmanuel }}{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2024 |title=The Patriots and Bill Belichick Have Mutually Agreed to Part Ways |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/the-patriots-and-bill-belichick-have-mutually-agreed-to-part-ways |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=Patriots.com}}
Starting lineups
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
style="width:160px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}"|Tampa Bay | colspan="2"|Position | style="width:160px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}"|New England | |
---|---|---|---|
colspan="4" style="text-align:center"|OFFENSE | |||
Chris Godwin | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|WR | Nelson Agholor | |
Mike Evans | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|WR | Jakobi Meyers | |
Josh Wells | style="text-align:center"|T | style="text-align:center"|WR | Kendrick Bourne |
Donovan Smith | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|LT | Isaiah Wynn | |
Ali Marpet | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|LG | Michael Onwenu | |
Ryan Jensen | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|C | David Andrews | |
Alex Cappa | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|RG | Shaq Mason | |
Tristan Wirfs | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|RT | Justin Herron | |
Cameron Brate | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|TE | Hunter Henry | |
Tom Brady | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|QB | Mac Jones | |
Leonard Fournette | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|RB | Damien Harris | |
colspan="4" style="text-align:center"|DEFENSE | |||
Ndamukong Suh | style="text-align:center"|DL | style="text-align:center"|LE | Deatrich Wise Jr. |
Vita Vea | style="text-align:center"|NT | style="text-align:center"|DL | Davon Godchaux |
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | style="text-align:center"|OLB | style="text-align:center"|DL | Lawrence Guy |
Devin White | style="text-align:center"|ILB | style="text-align:center"|LB | Matthew Judon |
Lavonte David | style="text-align:center"|ILB | style="text-align:center"|LB | Dont'a Hightower |
Shaquil Barrett | style="text-align:center"|OLB | style="text-align:center"|LB | Kyle Van Noy |
Carlton Davis | style="text-align:center"|CB | style="text-align:center"|DB | Kyle Dugger |
Richard Sherman | style="text-align:center"|CB | style="text-align:center"|LCB | J. C. Jackson |
Ross Cockrell | style="text-align:center"|CB | style="text-align:center"|RCB | Jalen Mills |
Antoine Winfield Jr. | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|S | Adrian Phillips | |
Jordan Whitehead | colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|S | Devin McCourty | |
colspan="4"|Source: [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58565/NE_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook] |
Officials
- Referee: Bill Vinovich #52
- Line Judge: Mark Perlman #9
- Down Judge: Patrick Holt #106
- Side Judge: Jimmy Buchanan #86
- Umpire: Tony Michalek #115
- Field Judge: Joe Blubaugh #57
- Back Judge: Jimmy Russell #82
- Replay Official: Mark Butterworth #0
References
{{reflist}}
{{Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}
{{New England Patriots}}
{{NFL on NBC}}
{{Tom Brady}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New England Patriots game}}
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New England Patriots game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New England Patriots game
Category:Sports competitions in Foxborough, Massachusetts