Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am a football fiend. Anytime I can play or watch football, I do. Another thing about me is that I don’t like to sugarcoat things; I just call it how it is. Last night’s game against the New Orleans Saints was one of the most painfully boring games I have ever had to sit through as a football fan. It wasn’t bad enough that the Buccaneers couldn’t get anything going on offense, but neither could the Saints.
The Saints are now 4-0 against Tom Brady as a Buccaneer. I don’t know what Sean Payton knows, but he definitely has some dirt on Tom Brady, because this just isn’t normal. How can it be that Brady is the G.O.A.T against every other team, but against the Saints, he seems just a little bit more human. Don’t just take it from me, the numbers don’t lie either!
Brady was only able to complete 26 of 48 passes, as well as only registering 214 passing yards and one interception. The blame can’t be put entirely on Brady, as he lost his two best receivers during the game; Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Both Godwin and Evans had to leave the game with significant injuries; some that may cost the Bucs heading into the playoffs.
This meant that other wide receivers had to step up, as well as the run-game. Well, the run game couldn’t even get going properly because we also lost Leonard Fournette to injury as well. Three of our main offensive weapons fell to injuries in just one brutal game. I am a natural optimist, but this situation right now is looking the brightest for the Bucs. With the playoffs just around the corner, they could use all the help they can get.
There was a positive that came out of this game; a surprising and interesting fun fact. This is the first time Tom Brady has been shut-out in a game since the year 2006. Remember 2006? Justin Timberlake was embarking on his solo career (and killing it), the PlayStation 2 was almost in every home, and Drew Brees was starting his first season for the Saints.
One thing I have learned from watching football since the age of six was to never count Tom Brady out. If he is able to pull this team together and get them ready in time for the playoffs and deliver another spectacular playoff run to the Tampa Bay faithful, then his legend will live on forever. You may be asking yourself, “Mike does this mean you’re making another prediction?”. That is exactly what this means.
I already called an upset earlier in the season, so I am going to call the Super Bowl at this very moment. I say the Bucs do get to the Super Bowl once again, and this time they will face none other than Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. If you think of this from an NFL marketing perspective, this is the Super Bowl that can crush all previous rating records of years past. Who wouldn’t want to see a showdown between Belichick and Brady? It would be like when Darth Vader fought Obi-Wan in Star Wars; A New Hope.
You heard it her first; Bucs Vs Pats in the Super Bowl. As for next week, the Buccaneers will be taking on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs will look to take advantage of the Panther’s mediocrity and seek out a win. ‘Til next time!