The Tampa Bay Buccaneers The offense can’t play well for 60 minutes. If it had happened, it would have happened this season.
But all the Buccaneers needed Monday night to get a big win in the NFC South race was about five minutes of good play. The greatest quarterback in NFL history was there to make sure that happened.
Trailing by 13 late in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay seemed unlikely to score any touchdowns and scored with three minutes left. Then, the defense forced a quick punt and gave the ball back Tom Brady, who led the game-winning drive. Brady may not be the same player he was a few decades ago, but he’s still capable of some magical moments. Brady hit running back Rachad White for a 6-yard touchdown with three seconds left, and the extra point gave Tampa Bay a dramatic 17-16 win. The Buccaneers improved to 6-6 and are in position to win the worst division.
The Buccaneers have not won a fourth quarter since 2012 when trailing by 8 or more points, ESPN said in its telecast. They didn’t really win on Monday night. But when Brady needed to make some plays in crunch time, he came through like he’s done so many times before.
Before Monday night, Brady was 0-37 in the regular season and 1-43 in the playoffs when trailing by 13 or more points in the fourth quarter. According to ESPN Stats and Information. The only other win while facing that type of deficit before the comeback against the Saints was against Super Bowl LI Atlanta Falcons.
The Bucs struggle to move the ball
The game started well for Bakkar. They had a 16-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a field goal, but it was a positive start.
Then Tampa Bay stopped scoring. The rest of the half they had three possessions, one interception and they took a knee to end the first half.
New Orleans wasn’t great in the game, but the Saints got a win 30-yard touchdown pass Daysum Hill. They got a field goal late in the half and led 10-3 at halftime. It wasn’t a great performance offensively, but the defense kept the Saints in the game.
The Saints haven’t done much this season, but coach Dennis Allen has been fantastic against Tampa Bay in the Brady era. Last season, the Saints shut out the Buccaneers 9-0. Since he joined the Buccaneers, Brady went 1-4 in the regular season against the Saints (the Bucs had a playoff victory over New Orleans en route to the Super Bowl title).
For about 55 minutes, it looked like Allen had Brady’s number back, and the Saints, who were 4-8, would be back in the NFC South race with a big win. But Brady somehow found a way.
Bucs, Tom Brady had a great hit
After the Saints took a 16-3 lead in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers didn’t seem to have any hope of a comeback. The offense couldn’t sustain drives and the defensive backfield seemed worn down and unable to get off the field in the second half. The Saints had two marathons. Both drives ended in field goals, but it wasn’t like Tampa Bay scored quickly. Or completely.
In the fourth quarter, with about seven minutes remaining, the Buccaneers faced a fourth-and-10 in their own territory. Brady tried to convince the coaches to go for it. Tampa Bay left the offense on the field for a moment, then sent the punt to the team. Going there made some sense, but Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles relied on his defense.
The Buccaneers finally came alive on offense. Three minutes later they scored. A pass interference call on a long pass Mike Evans Set up a 1-Yar touchdown pass to the tight end Kate Otten. The Buccaneers got a 3rd-and-out, followed by a big hit from the defense to force a punt. Keanu Neal A big knock Andy Dalton Incomplete from Hill’s hands. That gave Brady a chance to put out three quarters of a game that had been incredibly ugly for Tampa Bay.
Brady came to life after two minutes of practice. Scotty Miller had a first down at the Saints’ 20-yard line. Julio Jones He made a circus catch at the 5-yard line with about 30 seconds left. Chris Godwin A touchdown but was caught by left tackle Donovan Smith A holding penalty was called, which put the Buccaneers in a tough spot. It didn’t matter. Brady threw another touchdown pass.
The Buccaneers haven’t been good this season. But they have a chance to make the playoffs. Brady showed he’s capable of making some more memories. At 45, he’s still adding to his legacy.
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