It felt like it would be impossible for Sunday’s Patriots-Buccaneers game to live up to the hype that had been building all week. After all, it was being called “the biggest regular season game in NFL history.”
Yet the show the two teams put on Sunday night for Tom Brady’s return was an all-time classic. They battled back and forth in a 19-17 Buccaneers win.
Through photos, here’s a look back at the game…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) sets the play against Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (56) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls a play against the New England Patriots during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls a play against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Brandon Bolden #25 of the New England Patriots runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (25) runs the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) dives with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Kendrick Bourne #84 after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (58) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) runs with the ball during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Jonnu Smith #81 of the New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) celebrates a touchdown by tight end Hunter Henry (not pictured) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) catches a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
UP: WR Jakobi Meyers
ShareDespite Tom Brady being in the game and Mac Jones playing well, Meyers ended up with the best passer rating of the night (118.8) thanks to a pair of nifty trick plays. Meyers completed long passes to Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor to give the Pats some much-needed chunk plays down the field. He caught eight passes for 70 yards, too.
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots nose tackle Davon Godchaux (92) hits Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) celebrates sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) celebrates a defensive stop of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots line up for a field goal attempt during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) celebrates with defensive back Jonathan Jones (31) and cornerback Myles Bryant (41) after breaking up a pass in the end zone during the second half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
ShareOct 3, 2021; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk (6) kicks a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Jake Bailey #7 of the New England Patriots reacts after missing a possible game winning field goal against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Jake Bailey #7 of the New England Patriots reacts after missing a possible game winning field goal against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots
ShareFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
MORE: Patriots Ups and Downs
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.