At 4-2 and tied for first in the NFC South, this year's version of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit London light years beyond the winless outfit thrashed by the New England Patriots two seasons ago.
So much has changed since then -- the Bucs are transformed -- but coach Raheem Morris harbors fond memories of Wembley, which he called "the birthplace of Josh Freeman."
(Just for the record, that would be Kansas City, but we digress.)
"He went out there and got a couple of snaps," Morris told The Associated Press. "(Now) Josh Freeman is our starting quarterback. So some of those questions we may have had the first time we came out here -- we've got some of those answers."
But not all, with the Bucs running hot/cold like Betty Draper, depending on the week. Impressive wins over the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints sandwiched a troubling 48-3 implosion against the San Francisco 49ers.
Their opponent, the Chicago Bears, aren't landing in Heathrow until Friday, but Tampa went full-fledged tea and crumpets this time around. They're spending all week in Britain to shake off the jet lag and bask in the relatively gloomy climate.
"I've definitely grown," said Freeman, but it remains to be seen what type of Bucs team shows up Sunday.
