Brady and the Buccaneers arrive ahead of Sunday’s big matchup in Foxboro

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrived at T.F. Green Airport on Saturday night ahead of Sunday night’s game with the Patriots.

The Buccaneers private jet touched down around 7:45 p.m. before players boarded buses for a hotel in Providence.

12 News was there as the team got off the bus where a crowd of fans had gathered to try and catch a glimpse of the Super Bowl Champions.

Not only will it be the first time Tom Brady squares off against his former team in Foxboro — it may also be the last, making tickets a hot commodity.

“This is currently the second most expensive tickets ever sold for a sporting event in Boston, only behind the recent Stanley Cup Game 7 that the Bruins played in a couple of years ago,” said Victor Matheson, a professor of economics at the College of Holy Cross.

In terms of ticket prices, it’s the number-one selling regular season game in the NFL this year.

12 News caught up with fans from as far away as Tampa and Los Angeles who were in town for the game.

Jacob flew in from Tampa for Sunday’s game but he said he’s a @Patriots fan! He bought tickets for the game TODAY and said it’ll be worth every penny. @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/7AmOxe8OWX

— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) October 1, 2021

“I can’t imagine people here cheering against him, but it might happen!”

Former tight end for the @Patriots Don Hasselbeck speaking with @MattPaddockTV on Sunday’s game against the @Buccaneers and @TomBrady’s return to New England! @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/i0iyLAzYk7

— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) October 1, 2021

The Patriots held their final practice of the week on Friday. The only absence was running back James White, who was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hip injury.

On the Bucs’ side, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is not expected to make the trip to Foxboro, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Gronk suffered a rib injury in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Bucs’ TE Rob Gronkowski is not making the trip to New England today due to his rib injury and he will be out Sunday night vs. New England, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2021

Both teams are looking to bounce back after losses last week, and that’s clearly been the focus of both teams, but it’s hard to ignore the intense history behind the matchup.

Speaking to the media Friday morning, Belichick spoke highly of his longtime quarterback, but in a way that said, ‘please stop asking me about it.’

“We’ve talked about that for two decades,” he said. “I think I’ve been on the record dozens of times saying there’s no quarterback I would rather have than Tom Brady, and I still feel that way.”

On Thursday, Brady spoke equally well of his former play caller.

“He’s a great coach, obviously, a great coach and has everyone prepared,” Brady said. “Does a great job, taught me a lot, was a good mentor to me for a long time, and I really enjoyed my time in New England.”

Kickoff for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 8:20 p.m.

New England Nation is your source of in-depth Patriots coverage through game day. At 11:30 a.m. Sunday on FOX Providence, Morey, Rosie, Taylor and Gresh will break down the matchup and give you fresh insight about the game.

Then, join us at 6 p.m. on FOX Providence for our live 30-minute special from Gillette Stadium — New England Nation: Brady Returns — as we look at all the history leading up to kickoff.