Patriots vs. Buccaneers live score, updates, highlights from NFL ‘Sunday Night Football’ game

The Buccaneers (2-1) will face the Patriots (1-2) on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET in Tom Brady’s first game against his former team at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The contest will be televised by NBC. 

Brady, who is in his 22nd NFL season, spent his first 20 years with New England, winning six Super Bowls, three NFL MVP awards and being named a 14-time Pro Bowl selection. His partnership with Patriots coach Bill Belichick is considered one of the greatest in league history from a quarterback and coach perspective. 

However, there was some apparent hostility in Brady’s departure from New England. Reports indicated Belichick wanted to trade Brady in 2017, and the 44-year-old had two members of his camp — his father, Tom Brady Sr., and trainer, Alex Guerrero — speak out against Belichick in recent interviews. 

However, Brady spoke highly of his partnership with Belichick before Sunday’s contest. 

“We had a great relationship,” Brady said. “I think it was handled the right way. We handled everything as gracefully as we could. It was an amazing time and It was handled perfectly. I think everyone understood where we were at, with the people involved in the situation. Things worked out for the best for all of us, and we’re all trying to do the best we can do now.” 

Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Patriots vs. Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football.” Follow below for complete results from Tom Brady’s return to New England.

MORE: Watch Patriots vs. Buccaneers live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Patriots vs. Buccaneers score

Patriots vs. Buccaneers live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’

Live updates will start around kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET.

11:28 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS. Tampa Bay responds with a 48-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter, taking a 19-17 lead with 1:57 to go. 

11:14 p.m.: FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS. New England retakes the lead, 17-14, with 4:34 left in the fourth quarter. It was an eight-play, 66-yard drive from New England, which leads 17-16 with 4:34 left in the fourth quarter. 

11:07 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS. Tampa Bay advanced to New England’s six-yard line but could not score a touchdown. The Buccaneers are now 1-of-4 on red zone attempts. Tampa Bay leads 16-14 with 7:58 left in the fourth quarter. 

10:50 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. New England has the lead again at 14-13. Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith, ending a seven-play, 77-yard drive for the Patriots. 

Third quarter: Tampa Bay 13, New England 7

New England only had six plays in the third quarter, going three-and-out once and punting on another drive. Brady has completed 17-of-32 passes for 202 yards and zero touchdowns. New England has 204 total yards and 15 first downs. 

10:39 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BUCCANEERS. Tampa Bay retakes the lead at 13-7 following an eight-play, 52-yard drive, capped off by an eight-yard touchdown from Ronald Jones. 10:28 p.m.: New England fumbled on its first drive of the second half, though Tampa Bay then went three-and-out. It also went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half. 

Second quarter: New England 7, Tampa Bay 6 

The Patriots have a one-point lead at halftime despite trailing Tampa Bay in yards (227 to 129). Brady has completed 15-of-27 passes for 182 yards in his return. Jones has completed 15-of-20 passes for one touchdown and an interception. 

9:53 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS. Succop converts a 44-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the second quarter. It ended an eight-play, 69-yard drive for Tampa Bay over a 1:36 span. The Buccaneers are now 4-of-9 on third down in the game. 

9:45 p.m.: New England’s five-play, 19-yard drive over a 3:05 span ended with a 44-yard punt to Tampa Bay’s five-yard line with 1:49 left in the second quarter. 

9:35 p.m.: Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers is down on the field following a 12-yard completion. According to reports, he jogged off on his own power to the medical tent and is now running along the sideline. UPDATE: Meyers returned to the game, though running back Damien Harris was injured on the next play and went to the medical tent. 

9:31 p.m.: Tampa Bay went five yards over a six-yard drive, continuing its offensive struggles in the second quarter. The Buccaneers have just 10 yards this period, and Brady has completed 11-of-20 passes total. New England still leads, 7-3, with 4:54 left in the second quarter. 

9:21 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Jones finds tight end Hunter Henry for an 11-yard touchdown, Henry’s first of the season. It capped off an 11-play, 74-yard drive for New England over an 8:28 span. New England leads, 7-3, with 8:28 left in the second quarter. 

9:07 p.m.: Succop missed a 36-yard field goal following a 10-play, 48-yard drive from Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers advanced to New England’s 18-yard line before Brady threw consecutive incomplete passes. Tampa Bay still leads, 3-0. 

First quarter: Tampa Bay 3, New England 0 

Brady completed 9-of-16 passes for 104 yards in the first quarter. Tampa Bay leads New England in total yards (148 to 32) and has seven first downs compared to the Patriots’ two. Jones completed 5-of-9 passes for 40 yards and one interception. 

8:56 p.m.: Jones threw his fourth interception of the season, giving Tampa Bay the football back at its 34-yard line. 

8:53 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS. Tampa Bay scores its first points of the game with a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Succop. It capped off a 10-play, 71-yard drive for the Buccaneers over a 3:53 span. Tampa Bay leads, 3-0. 

8:48 p.m.: With a 28-yard pass to receiver Mike Evans, Brady passed former Saints quarterback Drew Brees with the most passing yards in NFL history (80,359). 

8:40 p.m.: New England went three-and-out on its ensuing offensive possession. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has completed 4-of-6 passes for 23 yards and has been sacked once. Still no score with 8:42 left in the first quarter. 

8:31 p.m.: In Brady’s first drive against his former team, Tampa Bay went 34 yards over six plays in a 2:59 span. New England will take over at its 25-yard line following a muffed return from receiver Gunner Olszewski. 

8:26 p.m.: New England went on a five-play, 12-yard drive to start the game. It then punted 37 yards to Tampa Bay’s 11-yard line, setting up the Buccaneers’ first drive. 

8:20 p.m.: Tampa Bay won the toss and elected to defer. 

Tom Brady’s return 

Brady is making his first appearance against the Patriots since he signed with the Buccaneers in March 2020. Here are some of the highlights behind his return. 

Patriots vs. Buccaneers start time

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 3
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET 

The Patriots-Buccaneers game is scheduled to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

How to watch ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Patriots vs. Buccaneers game will be broadcast on NBC with the normal “Sunday Night Football” booth calling the game. Al Michael will be the play-by-play broadcaster while Cris Collinsworth provides analysis. Michele Tafoya will serve as the sideline reporter.

Drew Brees and Tony Dungy will also be a part of the network’s game coverage. They will host the pregame and halftime shows, and both should have some excellent stories about their battles with Brady and Belichick during their careers.

Streamers will be able to watch this contest by using NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports App, Peacock or fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial.

‘Sunday Night Football’ schedule 2021

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