Never write off Brady, he’s the best

The long-time anchorman for Sky Sports’ coverage, former player and self-confessed obsessive Neil Reynolds tells GIDEON BROOKS he cannot wait for this weekend’s action as the final four NFL teams battle for a place at Super Bowl LV

Q CAN YOU GIVE US A POTTED HISTORY OF YOU AND NFL? A I fell in love with it back in the 80s in the Channel 4 days. Loved the athleticism, physicality and the chess-match element. I played for about 10 years – as a tight end and kicker for Kent Exiles and a bit with the Great Britain team – and have been part of the Sky coverage since 2011.

Q WHAT CAN WE EXPECT THIS WEEKEND?

A

Two high-quality games. Green Bay against Tampa Bay and last year’s winners Kansas City against Buffalo. Tampa Bay have not been to the Super Bowl since 2002 and Buffalo since 1993 but there is always a chance for these teams, which is part of the appeal.

Q

In Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers and, of course, Tom Brady, have the best four quarterbacks made the semis?

A

Yes, and it is increasingly becoming about the quarterback. These four were all in the top five in terms of the number of touchdowns thrown this season. You can coach around having a mediocre quarterback but it will only get you so far. We saw that with the LA Rams and Jared Goff. You need an elite quarterback and all four of these are that.

Q

SO HOW DO YOU SEE IT GOING?

A

You have the two old guys in Brady (Tampa Bay) and Rodgers (Green Bay) at 43 and 37 then you have young guys in Mahomes (Kansas) and Allen (Buffalo) at 25 and 24. Experience against the sport’s future. Despite Brady’s incredible record, Rodgers has put together a season for the ages.

A

Absolutely. He went to a team who had three straight losing seasons and nine losing years in 11. Now they rock up in a Super Bowl semi-final. That is the Tom Brady effect.

Q

IS HIS THREAT AS MUCH MENTAL AS PHYSICAL?

A

The NFL has always been good about access, miking up players, etc. Atlanta Falcons were leading the Patriots 28-3 in the third quarter of the 2016 Super Bowl. Two guys were sitting on the Falcons bench and one says “we’re gonna win the Super Bowl” and the other looks up and says “but that’s Tom Brady over there”. They lost 34-28.

Watch Championship Sunday in the NFL playoffs exclusively live on Sky Sports NFL from 7pm on Sunday.