Odds: Tampa Bay -2.5, O/U: 48.5

Kickoff: The Patriots visit Tampa Bay to take on one of the best teams in the NFC in the Buccaneers. The survived at home last week, beating the Atlanta Falcons 24-23. Tampa Bay was on a bye so they had two weeks to prepare for this game. Today should be a good test for the Patriots.

Here are four keys to the game for the Patriots.

1st Down: Identify pressure and pick up blitz pressure: The Buccaneers do a lot with regular pressure and simulated pressure. We saw how much the Patriots offensive line struggled with Atlanta’s pressure last week, surrendering six sacks. They must be on the same page and communicate better this week or it will be another long day against a good defense.

2nd Down: Get pressure on Mayfield:,The Patriots need to get pressure on Baker Mayfield and throw him off his spot. Mayfield cannot be allowed to hang in the pocket and work through his progression consistently. If he does, the Patriots could be in for a long day, especially if he gets the ball to Emeka Egbuka consistently.

3rd Down: Win the turnover battle: The Bucs are +7 in turnover differential. They create turnovers and take care of the football. The Patriots need to not only take care of the ball, but find a way to generate turnovers if they want to win this game. They will need the extra possessions if they want to give themselves a chance in this game.

4th Down: Quarterbacks running: Both Drake Maye and Baker Mayfield are dangerous out of the pocket when things break down. Maye extending plays will be a key today for the Patriots and keeping Mayfield in the pocket will also be vitally important. They cannot allow Mayfield to scramble around and extend drives.

Extra Points: The Patriots and Buccaneers will meet in a regular season game for the 11th time overall and for the first time since the 2021 season when Tampa Bay beat New England, 19-17, at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021. The Patriots will travel to play at Tampa Bay for the first time since a 19-14 win in a Thursday Night Football game on Oct. 5, 2017.

The Patriots are 7-3 against the Buccaneers all-time in the regular-season. New England won the first three games in the series from 1976-88. Tampa Bay claimed the next two meetings before a Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory in 2005 got the Patriots back on the winning side, winning four straight games prior to the loss in 2021. (Courtesy of patriots.com/Patriots Communications)

Final Drive: The Patriots will need to play a full four quarter game today if they want to win. They cannot take their foot off the gas like they did last week and expect to win. Tampa Bay is a good team. The Patriots must play mistake free and take advantage of whatever opportunities they get. It won’t be easy. Tampa doesn’t make many mistakes. Despite that, I think the Patriots get it done today and pick up a big road win.