Brady’s Tampa Bay debut is a dud in 2interception loss
NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees and Tom Brady, the two leading passers in NFL history, couldn’t muster vintage performances in the first NFL game featuring two starting quarterbacks in their 40s.
But though Brees avoided gameturning mishaps with an offense he has led since 2006, Brady endured some costly crossups with his new team.
Brady threw two interceptions in his Tampa Bay debut, Alvin Kamara scored touchdowns running and receiving, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Buccaneers 3423 on Sunday.
“I made some just bad, terrible turnovers,” Brady said. “I obviously have got to do a lot better job.”
The first of Brady’s interceptions led to Kamara’s 6yard touchdown run. The second pick thrown by the Bucs’ new, 43yearold QB — who left the New England Patriots in free agency after 20 years and six Super Bowl triumphs — was returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Janoris Jenkins.
“Win the turnover battle like we did, have a turnover for a touchdown, you’re a 90something% winner in those games,” New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said. “Just a lot of things happened in that game that despite how you play, those things can help you win games. The energy and effort I was pleased with.”
Brees, 41, passed for 160 yards and two TDs. He did not commit a turnover and took only one sack. His first TD pass was a dumpoff to Kamara from 12 yards out. In the fourth quarter, Brady hit former 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders for a 5yard score.
“I’d probably say I played awful,” Brees said. “Certainly, we are used to playing at a much higher level offensively and especially in the passing game. So, we’ll get that back on track.”
Still, Brees found satisfaction in beating Brady’s Bucs.
“Of course, it’s significant and it’s unique and I’d be lying to you if I said to you it didn’t mean a little bit more,” Brees said. “I’ve got so much love and respect for (Brady) and what he’s able to accomplish.
“We played against each other in college, for goodness sake, in 1999,” Brees continued. “At the end of the day, I think we would both pinch ourselves if you told us back then we’d have the opportunity to play this long and be a part of so many great teams and so many great moments, historic moments.”
Few witnessed this latest bit of history in person, with government leaders and the Saints having agreed that no fans should attend the opener amid the coronavirus pandemic.
That turned the normally deafening 73,000seat Superdome into more of an echo chamber. When Wil Lutz’s field goal put New Orleans up 177, the squeaking of pulleys could be heard across the stadium as the net behind the goal post was lowered.
Brady compared the environment to “a scrimmage.”
“But obviously, it counts,” he added. “We’ve got to look each other in the eye and all work harder, put more urgency on the things we have to do.”
Brady was 15for28 for 157 yards and one TD through the first 54 minutes. He padded his numbers in garbage time, finishing with 239 yards and two TDs, the second scoring strike going to Mike Evans with 2:41 left.