Buccaneers vs. Patriots: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel up the East Coast to face the New England Patriots in Week 3, and this is a battle that could doom Tampa Bay's season before it ever had a chance to start.

The Buccaneers enter the contest with a 0-2 record, having lost close games to the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. Making matters worse are the rumblings about a star cornerback who reportedly isn't happy with head coach Greg Schiano. 

According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, Darrelle Revis doesn't like Schiano's strict approach, and he's not happy about the lack of man coverage being utilized on defense. 

Schiano's hard-nosed tactics may end up coming back to bite him—especially if Tampa Bay continues losing this year. 

On the other side, Bill Belichick's Patriots have won both games so far, but the team hasn't played particularly well. Tom Brady is starting from scratch with a handful of untested receivers, and last week's performance against the Jets was about as ugly as we've ever seen from this team with him behind center.

Here's what you need to know about this upcoming contest.

When: Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. 

Watch: Fox

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Bovada) 

• Over/Under: 43.5 pts.
• Spread: New England (-7)

Buccaneers Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Adrian Clayborn	DE	Hip	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Derek Landri	DT	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Carl Nicks	G	Foot	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Mason Foster	LB	Toe	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Michael Adams	CB	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Rashaan Melvin	CB	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Tom Crabtree	TE	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Gabe Carimi	G	Illness	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Luke Stocker	TE	Hip	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable

Patriots Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Matt Slater	WR	Wrist	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Danny Amendola	WR	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	Doubtful
Nate Ebner	S	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Marquice Cole	CB	—	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Zach Sudfeld	TE	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Rob Gronkowski	TE	Back	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Brandon Bolden	RB	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Will Svitek	T	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Leon Washington	RB	Thigh	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Dan Connolly	G	Finger	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable

Can Josh Freeman Rediscover his 2010 Form?

When the Buccaneers drafted Mike Glennon this spring, it was widely speculated that he could challenge Freeman as the starting quarterback. Schiano has never embraced Freeman since he arrived last season, and the quarterback hasn't done a good job of proving his coach wrong. 

Through two games this year, it's clear Freeman is playing for his job with the Bucs, and he is likely on a short leash. He has completed just 45.3 percent of his passes while throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

But this is a guy who passed for 3,451 yards with 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2010. 

Something isn't right. 

There have even been rumors that Freeman would demand a trade, as noted by Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com recently tweeted there was "real tension" between the quarterback and Schiano:

Somehow, some way, Freeman must shove aside the alleged turmoil going on when the Buccaneers hit the field at Gillette Stadium this Sunday. If he can't regain his focus and start playing like he's capable, then his team will lose the game and he could potentially lose his job. 

Prediction

The Patriots are struggling on offense, but it won't matter in this game. 

The Buccaneers appear on the verge of a complete meltdown from the top down. Schiano's disciplinary tactics may have worked wonders for him at Rutgers, but grown men who are paid to do a job don't take well to that kind of leadership. 

From a pure football standpoint, the Bucs are likely doomed, regardless. 

Given the way Tampa Bay has scratched and clawed in its first two games, nobody should expect a blowout, but the Patriots will win at home. 

Final Score 

Patriots win 28-20

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