BRADY’S ONE FOR THE AGES
Legend Tom, 43, rolled back the years with one of his best ever performances to lead the Bucs to a playoff berth
TOM BRADY rolled back the years and produced one of the great performances of his Hall of Fame career to lead Tampa Bay to their first playoff berth since 2007.
The 43-year-old quarterback won six Super Bowls, and went to three more, during 20 incredible seasons with New England.
Having joined the Buccaneers in the summer when many thought it was time to retire, he passed for 348 yards and four touchdowns – in the first half alone – to build a 40-0 lead over Detroit in his 300th regular season game.
Coach Bruce Arians (right) decided to save him and substituted him after what was the best first half of his career. But Brady has led the Florida side back to the promised land, where ere they will be in the playoffs offs when they begin on n January 8-9.
Despite Bucs fans rejoicing, serial winner Brady y is concentrating on n finishing the regular lar season with a win.
Brady said: “We have won three straight and we have another big one next week against Atlanta.
“Whatever happens after that is a bonus for all of us. We have a home game against Atlanta and that is all I am thinking about – try to go out and play a great game next week. I only played one half today so I have to go out there and play well next week. “Wer We’re 10-5 and I know tha that gets us a spot in th the playoffs but I t think there is still a big week ahead of us for preparation and improving as a team. te
“There’s a lot of guys who have worked hard to get to this point. Ten wins gets you something this year in the NFL – gets you a spot in the playoffs – but there’s going to be a bunch of teams that make it and only one team that ends up happy. “So the more time we can spend improving as a team, and improving as a quarterback that I need to do, the better it is for us.”
It was also vindication for Arians, who took over as head coach last year and brought in Brady to be his leader.
“It means the world,” said Arians. “This is why you coach. You want to get the chan c e to win a championship.
“What a great group of guys we have to coach. Resilient and a fun group who know their business.
“Ever since I got to Tampa, we have never had to ask the guys to work hard.
“We have got smarter, we’ve got more disciplined and it is starting to show.”