The prep for the early days of Fall by blowing their marquee close-up. As usual in the National Football League, this was a key game for both teams involved.

But the Patriots' quarterback will cross one of his final frontiers when he arrives at Raymond James Stadium for the Patriots' nationally-televised game Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:25 p.m.; CBS, NFL Network).

But it may be best to keep security on high alert.

Folk has now missed five field goals in three games this season, after missing only four all of previous year and three in 2015.

"We'll talk about that sometime forthcoming", was all Bucs coach Dirt Koetter offered in the post-mortem.

"I just said it was an honor", Winston said. As shown on HBO's Hard Knocks, Aguayo looked as bad in camp and preseason games, while Folk looked decent and beat out Aguayo for the job. We should have won that game 20-19. "This one's on me". They are on the road, but in Cincinnati against a Bengals team that has looked awful this season. Against Tampa Bay New England committed too many penalties, including four that gave the Bucs first downs. Once he does that, New England's defense will go from horrifying to average. He came back and the one day we kicked in practice last week he kicked very well and we had no reason to think Nick wouldn't kick well last night.

Best foot: Gostkowski drilled a 48-yard field goal - his fourth of the game - to boost the Patriots' lead to 19-14 in the fourth quarter. He also gained 11 yards on three rushes, fumbled twice and recovered a fumble. The Bucs even got a strong performance from Doug Martin in his first game back from a three-game suspension.

Captain Obvious summation: This is not good.

"You can build off this as a defense", said safety Devin McCourty, one of the team's captains. Both of their losses have come at home with tonight marking their second road game of the year. Don't let a solid Week 4 win against the Browns fool you. (Might want a do-over there). "It's tough to already play a game Sunday and then be ready again for the following Sunday", he said. Instead of a first and 10 at the 29, the Bucs punt. Realistic ones with a high-octane offense and a defense loaded with playmakers. If Gilmore and his teammates can continue limiting star wide outs for the season's remainder, the Patriots's hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions will be just as great as anyone thought all along.

Brady. Brandin Cooks. A coach named Belichick.

Tampa Bay is allowing the second-most passing yards per game this season.

Winston also spoke about the unbelievable level of respect he has for Brady, and the fact that meeting him was a "highlight" of his night.