Whenever the NFL begins play this year after the coronavirus crisis ends, there will be pent-up demand from fans for pro football and big-time televised events. Tom Brady's reported move to Tampa Bay gives the networks ample opportunity to satisfy both, based on the Buccaneers' 2020 schedule.
SN has zeroed in on the five best options for a Week 1 prime-time blockbuster, either on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" or ESPN's "Monday Night Football," involving the Bucs. (The Chiefs will more than likely host the Thursday night opener on NBC, and they do play the Buccaneers this year, but that game will be in Tampa.)
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1. Packers at Buccaneers
Brady's move to the NFC South suddenly gives the league another meeting between him and Aaron Rodgers. This would be their third true showdown (Rodgers mopping up for Brett Favre vs. the Pats in 2006 doesn't count). A Patriots-Packers Super Bowl couldn't be assumed in the near future even if Brady had stayed in New England, and the Patriots aren't scheduled to play the Packers again in the regular season until 2022 (although that could change next year with a 17-game season). This will not be a "Bay of Pigs" matchup, that's for sure.
2. Saints at Buccaneers
We're on track for Brady vs. Drew Brees twice in 2020. The first get-together could be an immediate test for both men as they try to assert dominance in the division. Brees appears committed to finishing his career in New Orleans, and now he has a fellow future Hall of Famer to beat as he tries to get to another Super Bowl.
3. Buccaneers at Giants
Brady's Bucs debut against the franchise that beat him twice in the Super Bowl? In a stadium that's just minutes from Manhattan? With one of his old assistant coaches, Joe Judge, on the other sideline making his NFL head coaching debut? Can we get Eli Manning out of retirement for this one, or at least make sure he's in MetLife Stadium?
4. Falcons at Buccaneers
Oh, yeah, we also get two Brady vs. Matt Ryan matchups this year. Think the 28-3 jokes are already played out? You haven't heard (or seen) anything yet. Matty Ice is more worried about his team being relevant again in the Dirty South, but he ought to get ready for a new round of questions about THAT Super Bowl.
5. Buccaneers at Raiders
There was early postseason noise about Vegas and Brady being a fit, but the Raiders turned to Marcus Mariota instead. There's still a way to extend the connection, of course: Put this matchup under the lights for the Raiders' first game in Nevada, with Jon Gruden's old club as the opponent. Oh, and if you think the Tuck Rule jokes are played out, too, then you're out of luck.
