I’ve read several game previews already that have noted how England gave us the Beatles and the Clash and the Rolling Stones, and we’re giving them a stinker of a game.

I think it’s important to note that the British also gave us taxation without representation.

So, England, wonderful as you are, that taxation without representation cannot go unpunished. But fear not, the Revolutionary War plus this game should pretty much even the score.

I’m sure the idea of the Patriots playing the Bucs sounded pretty great last year when the game was scheduled. The Patriots are perennial winners with a handsome QB who’s married to an international  supermodel. The Bucs are owned by the Glazers, the same guys who own Manchester United, and so there is a built-in British fan base, or at least fan interest. Also, the Bucs won 9 games last year and were playoff contenders. 

Doesn’t sound so great anymore. The Bucs are in the midst of a 10-game slide, and with the way the offense, defense, and special teams are playing (really, really badly), there seems to be no end in sight. Add to that the fact that the Patriots beat another no-win team, the Tennessee Titans, last week 59-0 (59-0), and that it’s pretty well accepted that the Titans are better than the Bucs, and you have yourself a hugely lopsided game in the making.

Things are so bad that the Patriots seem to have no compunction about mocking the Bucs publicly. Patriots coach Bill Belichik comments at yesterday’s pre-game press conference included these blatantly sarcastic pearls:

“The Bucs can hurt you in a lot of ways. They’re explosive and they’re dangerous. They’re great in the kicking game. We haven’t faced a quarterback like (Josh) Johnson this year that has that kind of mobility and speed. A middle linebacker like Barrett Ruud that makes every tackle. I hope we’ll be able to be competitive against them.“

Maybe at least the stuff about Ruud was genuine? But, frankly, no matter how much fodder the Pats add to the bulletin boards in Tampa, and no matter how incensed the Bucs get, the Patriots are still a way, way better team. If this game is anything other than a blowout of epic proportions, I will be pleasantly surprised. But I sort of doubt it. 

Which is why I’m less than upset that I’m not going to be able to see this game. I, like the Bucs, am traveling to Europe–though I’m going to be in Paris and Brussels instead of London–and I’m hoping that my being away from the TV will help the team win. (Lord knows none of my lucky t-shirts have done the trick.) But if not, at least I won’t have to watch.