USA TODAY International Edition
Brady, Bucs show firepower, rout Raiders
LAS VEGAS – Tom Brady didn’t really need Antonio Brown on Sunday.
Brady used plenty of other weapons to lead the Buccaneers to a 45- 20 romp against the Raiders at an empty Allegiant Stadium.
Brady passed for 369 yards with four touchdowns and had his highest- rated passer game of the season ( 127.0) while demonstrating a certain comfort level in Tampa Bay’s offense. And there was only so such pressure. He was never sacked.
It sure helps to have a supporting cast of playmakers. There was Rob Gronkowski, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and a guy named Scotty Miller.
Brown, the controversial four- time All- Pro wideout who agreed to a one- year deal on Friday night, is coming to join this crew. Pending the usual health patterns, it could be an embarrassment of riches.
The Bucs ( 5- 2) will take it while trying to stay ahead of the Saints in the NFC South race.
And just think: There were fears that the NFL might have to postpone the game that was moved out of the Sunday prime- time slot due to the threat of a potential COVID- 19 outbreak after a positive test result for Raiders right tackle Trent Brown.
The Raiders ( 3- 3) could have used a postponement or just called in sick, given the dismal performance.
Two other things we learned from the Bucs’ romp against the Raiders:
1. The Raiders’ O- line has had better days – With preparation disrupted by Brown’s positive COVID- 19 test and a quarantine for the rest of the starting line, the unit ( sans Brown) will hardly get an A- grade. On one second- quarter play, Devin White blitzed off the edge untouched to sack Derek Carr, which had to be more embarrassing because two linemen ( Gabe Jackson, Brandon Parker) were flagged ( penalty declined) for not aligning on the line of scrimmage. Parker was later flagged for a similar infraction and Jackson was tossed from the game in the third quarter for extracurricular activity on a touchdown play. And the rushing game that usually starts up front was virtually non- existent in averaging 3.2 yards per carry ( 24 rushes, 76 yards).
2. Count Miller amid the TB12 collection of weapons – Brady arguably threw his best pass of the season in the second quarter when he dropped a 33yard touchdown in the bucket to Miller, who made a beautiful over- the- shoulder haul with Nevin Lawson draped on his back. Then Miller, who entered the NFL last season as a sixth- round pick, added a 35- yard catch- and- run off a crossing pattern as he worked out of the slot in the third quarter. It set up a field goal. Miller led the Bucs with 109 receiving yards on six receptions. Interestingly, while Godwin ( nine catches, 88 yards, one TD), Gronkowski ( five catches, 62 yards, one TD) and Fournette ( six catches) had moments, Evans didn’t have a catch until the fourth quarter. It stands to reason that with Brown’s impending arrival, Miller ultimately could move down a notch in the pecking order.