Dec. 12, 1976. Patriots 31, Buccaneers 14The Patriots handed the Bucs their 14th consecutive loss to cap Tampa Bay's 0-14 inaugural season in 1976, but the game was closer than most may remember. The Bucs led 14-7 at halftime, but the Patriots (11-5) responded with 24 unanswered points in the second half, highlighted by Sam Hunt's go-ahead 68-yard interception return for a TD. Pats RB Andy Johnson rushed 14 times for 127 yards and two TDs, including a 69-yard score, at Tampa Stadium.

Dec. 11, 1988. Patriots 10, Buccaneers 7, OT.In a defensive battle at Sullivan Stadium, the Patriots and Bucs traded the game's only TDs in the second half. Pats RB Bob Perryman had a six-yard scoring run and Bucs WR Mark Carrier caught a 15-yard TD pass from Vinny Testaverde to tie things up. A 27-yard field goal by John Staurovsky won it for the Patriots in overtime.

Sept. 3, 2000. Buccaneers 21, Patriots 16Drew Bledsoe's 39-yard TD pass to Terry Glenn with 3:01 to go brought New England with striking distance, but on fourth-and-10 from Tampa's 22-yard, Bledsoe's pass to Glenn fell incomplete with one second to go, giving Tampa its only win in New England. Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott combined for 110 rushing yards and Tampa recorded six sacks to spoil Bill Belichick's debut as the Patriots' head coach. 

Sept. 22, 2013. Patriots 23, Buccaneers 3The Bucs led 3-0 after the first quarter at Gillette Stadium, but the Patriots answered with a pair of second-quarter Tom Brady touchdown passes to Kenbrell Thompkins. Stephen Gostkowski added three field goals, including a 53-yarder on the final play of the first half.

Stephon Gilmore - Over the last week, New England's $65 million addition has become the poster boy for the Patriots struggles in pass defense. Gilmore and the rest of the secondary have to deal with a Bucs passing attack that currently ranks No. 3 in the NFL.

Dont'a Hightower - The defensive captain returned to the lineup last week, playing 59-percent of the snaps. He declared himself healthy and given all the struggles on defense New England may need to lean on its captain and Pro Bowl playmaker now more than ever.

Mike Evans - The 6-5, 231-pound beast is the clear centerpiece of the Bucs passing attack with 19 receptions for 227 yards and two scores in just three games. He's yet another challenge for the Patriots struggling pass defense.

Gerald McCoy - The Buccaneers have been solid against the run, allowing just 2.9 yards per attempt and McCoy is the man in the middle of it all. The disruptive interior force is still looking for his first sack of the season, so he's due.

Jameis Winston - New England is 0-2 this season against quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall in the draft, the spot Winston was selected back in 2015. The young passer is off to a solid start and is likely looking forward to his chance to take on the suspect Patriots secondary early in the season.