NFL Back in Old Blighty

Patriots, Buccaneers Bring Their Own Version of Football to Far-Away Game at London's Wembley Stadium

(AP)  The travel itinerary leaves little time for sightseeing, which is fine with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The teams welcome the opportunity to promote the NFL globally through the league's International Series, but stress their game Sunday at sold-out Wembley Stadium is strictly business - not a vacation.

The Patriots (4-2) are coming off a 59-0 rout of the Tennessee Titans and facing a winless opponent for the second straight week. The Bucs (0-6) are off to their worst start since 1985 and riding a 10-game losing streak that is the club's longest in 32 years.

Adding to the intrigue of the matchup on foreign soil, at least locally, is the Bucs are operated by the reclusive Glazer family, which also owns Manchester United, one of the richest pro sports franchises in the world.

"It's a pretty unique experience for all us - there's no doubt about that. ... But I think the trip will be memorable if we win," New England quarterback Tom Brady said. "If we lose, I guess it will be memorable for a different reason from what we'd want it to be memorable for."

Brady threw for six touchdowns last Sunday in his best performance since returning from knee surgery that wiped out his 2008 season. The Patriots are heavily favored against the struggling Bucs. However, he and coach Bill Belichick scoff at the notion it's a mismatch.

"Our first four games, every team we played was undefeated. These past two ... it's been different. But I look at all of our opponents, and honestly I see about the same thing from each team," Belichick said.

"Each team has real good talent. They have playmakers. They're well coached. They have difficult schemes to deal with. ... It really comes down to not what a team's record is, but what their performance is on that particular day and how it matches up with their opponent."

Tampa Bay's losing streak is the club's longest since 1977, when the Bucs were in the middle of a NFL-record 26-game skid. They've lost four games by 13 or more points, raising the question of what Brady and New England's high-powered offense might be able to do against one of the NFL's lowest-ranked defenses.

Brady threw a league-record five TD passes in one quarter against the Titans. Tampa Bay has yielded eight pass plays of 40-plus yards, seven for touchdowns.

"We know that we're in for a battle, but those guys put on pads just like we do," Bucs receiver Michael Clayton said.

"We can't use playing a good team as an explanation for laying down," Clayton added. "We understand what's at stake and we understand what we've been through as a team, but week by week it's a clean slate. It's a new week, a new game."

That's Belichick's point. The Patriots coach hasn't led his team to three Super Bowl titles by underestimating opposing teams.

Although Tampa Bay has yet to win under rookie coach Raheem Morris, Belichick describes the Bucs as a young but dangerous club with plenty of players who pose challenges for New England offensively and defensively.

"You just can't afford to be sloppy or not execute well because there's enough talent out there on the field to make you pay for it, and they're looking for those opportunities," Belichick said.

"Our record, their record, it doesn't really make any difference," he added. "Nobody gets any points or credit for that going into the game. Once the game starts, it'll come down to whichever team plays the best."

Despite his team's struggles, Morris feels the Bucs are progressing and don't lack the confidence to compete with New England.

"Everybody wants to play the Patriots. That's fun. Whether you're a bad team, whether you're a good team, it doesn't matter. It's a lot of fun to play those types of teams on a highly decorated stage," Morris said.

"Motivation in this league is high for everybody. Nobody wants to be embarrassed on Sunday."

[stuart-johns2]

MAN! What an absolutely GREAT game between Miami Hurricanes and Clemson this afternoon. That lead must have changed 17 times LOL.

Now that's what all games should be like. Wishful thinking.

[armyoftwelve]

Apparently there are only 3 people from New England posting on CBSNews.com

[armyoftwelve]

I doubt that NE will lose. Don't know what is going on in TB. Hopefully Belichick is trying to improve the performance of the offensive line so NE can get its running game going against competitive teams.

[stuart-johns2]

Well I hope what you say, ghostofgruden, comes true for my beloved New England Patriots. But Brady et al seem sporadic this year. I guess I would predict a win for NE but you never can say what will happen. It might turn out to be a good day for the Bucs.

[ghostofgruden]

After NE's 59-0 thrashing of the Titans last week, I am worried that they might break 70 against my beloved Bucs. It's only fitting that the game is in England, whose Man U must be the beneficiary of the Glazer's siphoning monies that should be allocated to stocking the Bucs with quality players. For 2 years straight, the Bucs are ridiculously under the salary cap.