The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brady, Buccaneers sputter in lackluster loss to Saints
Ex- Super Bowl star turns in dismal performance.
TAMPA, FLA. — Tom Brady began the game with four consecutive three- and- outs. Things only got worse for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after that.
“When things don’t go your way, sometimes they keep going that way,” the six-time Super Bowl championsaid after throwing three interceptions and only producing a fifield goal in Sunday night’s ugly 38- 3 loss to the NewOrleans Saints. “You’ve got tofifififigure out away to turn it around,” Brady added.
While the Bucs ( 6- 3) were sputtering to beginthegame, the Saintswere clickingonall cylinders. DrewBrees threw two touch down passes in the opening quarter, thena third early in the second. By the time Brady tossed his fifirst interception to end a franchiserecord streak of 200 consecutive pass attempts without a pick, the Bucs trailed 21- 0 and the turnover on a deflflection set up
yet another TD on the way to a 31- 0 halftime defificit.
“It was shocking, to watch us practice allweek, to know how con fifi dent we were coming in ,” coach Bruce Ari ans said of the lopsided loss, which ended Tampa Bay’s three- game winning streak and dropped the Bucs a half game behind the fifirst- place Saints ( 6- 2) in the NFC South standings.
“We didn’t play well in any phase of the game.”
Brady said.
The offense struggled despite wide receiver Chris Godwin ( three receptions, 41 yards) returning tothelineup after missing one game with a broken finger and adding Antonio Brown ( three catches, 31 yards) to themix in his debut with the Bucs.
The Bucs avoided a shutout when Ryan Succop kicked a 48- yard fifield goal with just under six minutes remaining.