Buccaneers vs. Patriots: Everything You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be catching a break this week by catching the defending Super Bowl champs off their game.

The New England Patriots fell to 2-2 on the season after losing to the Carolina Panthers 33-30. The rather pedestrian start for the Patriots, which included a 42-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, could mean Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense could have a field day against the worst-ranked defense in the NFL.

Winston came up with his first 300-yard, 3-touchdown, 0 interception game in the Buccaneers’ 25-23 come-from-behind victory over the New York Giant on Sunday, Oct. 1.

On the flip side, Tom Brady is still Tom Brady, putting up numbers as he has for most of his career. He’s still going to face a Bucs D that is missing a few key players due to injury.

Here’s everything you need to know for the Buccaneers vs. Patriots Week 5 matchup:

Kickoff: Thursday, Oct. 5 at 8:25 p.m. Eastern

TV, Radio and Online: CBS (in the Tampa Bay and Boston markets), NFL Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, Buccaneers Radio Network, Buccaneers.com

Point Spread: New England is favored by 5 to 6 points on the lines posted at OddsShark.com

Records and Standings: The Bucs enter the week in third place in the NFC South with a 2-1 record (0-0 division) while the Patriots sit in a second-place tie with the New York Jets with a 2-2 record (0-0 AFC East).

Location: Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

Tickets: The game is sold out, but tickets are available on second market sites, such as the NFL Ticket Exchange or StubHub.com

Parking and Directions: Click here for directions to Raymond James Stadium and click here for the Raymond James Stadium parking map.

Tailgating: Tailgating is permitted in all stadium parking lots. Tailgaters can only occupy one spot and saving spaces is not permitted. Tailgating can only take place directly behind each fan’s own vehicle without blocking other spots, walkways or aisles.

Clear Bag Policy: The following bags are permitted into Raymond James Stadium:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVS and do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches
• This is the size of a 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with our without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags
• All bags are subject to search upon entry and are subject to additional searches within the stadium
• All items left unattended outside the gates will be disposed
• Approved bags must be carried when approaching the lines prior to entry
• Prohibited bags include coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags

Prohibited items: The following items are prohibited at Raymond James Stadium:

• Aerosol or spray bottles of sunscreen
• Any item that can be used as a missile
• Backpacks, duffel bags or large bags
• Bags or cases not approved in accordance with the Clear Bag Policy
• Cameras longer than 12 inches, including the body, lens and filter
• Camera bags and binocular cases
• Cans and bottles
• Coolers
• Fireworks
• Food and drinks
• Glass
• Horns and lasers
• Illegal drugs
• Pets (service animals are permitted)
• Recreational balls
• Seat cushions
• Sticks, poles, camera/selfie sticks or extenders
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems and radio-controlled model aircraft or drones
• Video cameras
• Weapons

Image via Jennifer Snyder, Flickr, used under Creative Commons