Thursday Night Football in Week 5 matches up the 2-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home against the 2-2 New England Patriots.
After struggling on both sides of the ball in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay bounced back with a close victory over the New York Giants in Week 4 on a game-winning field goal by Nick Folk as time expired.
The Patriots have been one of the league's biggest surprises, but not in a good way after their 2-2 start. Their defensive struggles continued in a 33-30 Week 4 home loss to the Carolina Panthers which saw Graham Gano kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Patriots offense
- Passing leader: Tom Brady 103-155 (66.5%), 1,399 yards, 10 TD, 0 INT
- Rushing leader: Mike Gilislee 57 carries, 194 yards (3.4 y/c), 4 TD
- Receiving leader: Rob Gronkowski 20 receptions, 318 yards, 2 TD
Despite the 2-2 start, the Patriots offense has been clicking on nearly all cylinders. They have scored at least 27 points in all four of all their games, and their 32.2 points per game are second in the NFL.
Tom Brady is still going strong at the age of 40. After completing just 44.4% of his passes without a touchdown in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he has completed 73.1% of his passes with 10 touchdowns while averaging 377.3 yards per game in Weeks 2-4.
The Patriots running game averaged 121.5 yards in the first two games but just 69.5 over the last two.
Leading rusher Mike Gilislee had 114 rushing yards and four touchdowns after two games, but only 80 yards without a touchdown in Weeks 3 and 4.
Vs. Buccaneers defense
- Tackles leader: Kendell Beckwith 22
- Sacks leader: Noah Spence 1
- Interceptions leader: Robert McClain, Kwon Alexander 1
The Buccaneers are middle of the pack when it comes to scoring defense as they rank 16th of 32 teams, allowing 21.3 points per game.
In three games, they have intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles, and only sacked the quarterback once. All four of their turnovers forced came in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears and recently benched quarterback Mike Glennon.
The Buccaneers pass defense has struggled through three games, as opposing quarterbacks are completing 67.7% of their passes and averaged a very high 7.4 yards per attempt.
Case Keenum of the Minnesota Vikings and Eli Manning of the Giants combined for five passing touchdowns without an interception against Tampa Bay in Weeks 2 and 3.
Led by five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the run defense has been stout early on. They are allowing just 2.9 Yards Per Carry, which ranks as second-best in the NFL.
Buccaneers offense
- Passing leader: Jameis Winston 68-108 (63.0%), 864 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
- Rushing leader: Jacquizz Rodgers 40 carries, 165 yards (4.1 y/c), 1 TD
- Receiving leader: Mike Evans 19 receptions, 227 yards, 2 TD
Off to a 2-1 start, the Buccaneers offense turned the ball over three times in their Week 2 loss to the Vikings, but were turnover-free in their Week 4 win against the Giants.
They are averaging 23.7 points per game, which is 12th-best in the NFL.
Third-year quarterback Jameis Winston had 33 interceptions in 32 games during his first two seasons and has three in three games this year. All three of his interceptions came in their Week 2 loss. He once again is showing great rapport with star receiver Mike Evans, but is struggling with free agent pickup DeSean Jackson. He has targeted Jackson 20 times, but just nine have gone for receptions.
Jacquizz Rodgers has been more than just adequate in his first three games, but now the running game will see Doug Martin back after his four-game suspension (served one game last season). Tampa Bay is hopeful they see the Martin that rushed for 1,402 yards on 4.9 yards per carry in 2015 and not the one who only ran for 421 yards on 2.9 yards per carry in 2016.
Vs. Patriots defense
- Tackles leader: Devin McCourty 31
- Sacks leader: Trey Flowers 3
- Interceptions leader: Stephon Gilmore, Duron Harmon, Malcolm Butler 1
New England's defense has been porous through four games. Their 32.0 points per game allowed are second-worst in the NFL. Their 456.8 yards allowed per game are worst in football. They have allowed at least 33 points in three of their four games.
Despite signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a large deal and deciding not to trade their star cornerback Malcolm Butler, New England's pass defense has been Swiss cheese-like with how opposing quarterbacks have easily had their way with them. They are dead-last, allowing 324 passing yards per game and 8.6 yards per pass attempt, and they have also already allowed 11 passing touchdowns.
The opposition is completing 69.7% of their passes.
There isn't much positive to say how the Patriots have defended the run either. They have allowed at least 125 yards rushing in three of their four games and are allowing a ghastly 5.1 yards per carry.
