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Pats Cross the Pond and Bombard the Bucs

Now this is more like it. After destroying the Titans in the year’s first snow bowl, the Patriots headed to London and dismantled another winless team, Tampa Bay, 35-7. The Pats wasted little time doing anything, when Brandon Meriweather intercepted a pass and ran it back 39 yards for a touchdown, on just the fifth play of the game. Meriweather intercepted another pass later in the quarter.

The Bucs returned the favor in the 2nd quarter, when Tanard Jackson and Aqib Talib each intercepted a pass from Brady, the former coming in the end zone on a red zone drive. Each team also scored on a deep pass in the quarter (54 yards for Sam Aiken and the Pats, 33 yards for Antonio Bryant and the Buccaneers), and the quarter ended when Darius Butler intercepted Josh Johnson’s hail mary pass. If he had backed off, Meriweather was in perfect position for a third interception.

The Bucs tried to feel good about themselves, but couldn’t quite get it together against the tough Pats team. The Pats scored a touchdown in each remaining quarter, driving the final nail in the Bucs coffin. Both teams will soon return to the U.S. for their bye weeks and prepare for the future. However, the future only looks bright for one of the teams.

Pats Stud of the Game: Brandon Meriweather

Two interceptions in one quarter, one of them being returned for a touchdown, set the momentum for another steamrolling by the Pats offense.

Pats Dud of the Game: The 2nd Quarter Tom Brady

Again, two interceptions lead to problems. The Pats could have racked up even more points to rival their performance against Tennessee. Fortunately for them, they were facing Tampa Bay.

That’s What He Said:

“I think we overall pressured a good amount in this game.” – Bill Belichick on the Pats Defense Sunday.

Game Notes:

• Tom Brady’s two interceptions came within four passes of each other. He only had two in the entire rest of the season.
• Attendance was 84,254, the most of the three London NFL games so far.

Tags: Bill Bellichick, Brandon Meriweather, Darius Butler, London, Patriots, Sam Aiken, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady