Brady out to prove he's still a playoff threat
Six-time champion Tom Brady's post-season begins on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback bids for a Super Bowl berth far from the chilly embrace of his former New England Patriots.
After a productive season that saw him throw 40 touchdown passes, his most since 2007, Brady and the Bucs will visit the Washington Football Team in the Wild Card round, as the seemingly ageless 43-year-old looks to prove he's still a reliable post-season threat.
“It all comes down to one game,” Brady told reporters after the Bucs' 44-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. “It's one football game, who plays well, who executes when the pressure is on.”
Peyton Manning is the only starting NFL quarterback to have brought home a Super Bowl ring with multiple teams — one of a scarce few achievements Brady has yet to reach in his 21 seasons.
But Brady, who wrote in April that he would join the Bucs “to see how great I can be,” is on the right track, casting aside late-season concerns over his ability to get the ball downfield to close out the season with 399 passing yards in the regular-season finale.
Asked if he had to pick one player he was most proud of, head coach Bruce Arians diplomatically told reporters this week there were many — but then singled out Brady.
“I would probably have to say Tom for what he's been through,” said Arians. “What he's done — 40 touchdowns with a new team — learning all that verbiage, it wasn't easy.”
Triumphing over Washington won't be a breeze, either, with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans missing practice on Tuesday due to a knee injury and linebacker Devin White, who had 140 tackles in 2020, on the Reserve/covid-19 list.
Of particular concern for Brady will be rookie defensive end Chase Young, already a Pro Bowler, who boldly declared “Tom Brady, I'm coming!” after Washington's 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to book a spot in the playoffs.
“He' s a hello fa player ,” said ari ans. “We'll have our hands full, but it's one of those games where you better watch what you wish for.”