Bucs QB Brady Demonstrates Dominance In Latest Win
It’s the start of a new year, but it’s still the same old dominant Tom Brady. On the 23rd anniversary of leading Michigan back from a pair of comebacks in the 2000 Orange Bowl, the Bucs quarterback orchestrated another comeback effort Sunday.
Down 21-10 in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, Brady continued to find his wide receiver Mike Evans on deep balls that were the difference in the Bucs capturing their second straight NFC South division title. With 13:49 left in the game, Brady first found Evans for a 57-yard touchdown to make it 21-16:
Then, with 6:47 remaining, Brady connected with Evans on a 30-yard touchdown pass to complete their hat trick and give them the lead:
It would be a big day for Evans (10-207-3), who doubled his 2022 touchdown total in one game. Just as impressive, however, were the throws that Brady made. To Evans, this was one of the best games Brady has had since joining the team as a free agent in 2020.
“Tom was just dropping dimes,” Evans said. “Those were some really, really good balls. This was one of the best games I’ve seen Tom play since he’s been here. They were like falling right in my… in the bread basket every time. He had an unbelievable game.”
The wily old gunslinger was out in full force Sunday, completing 34 of 45 passes for 432 yards and his three touchdowns to Evans. The 432 yards matched his single-game best with the Bucs, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Bucs WR Evans: “He’s The GOAT For A Reason”
At age 45, he still has not regressed as many older quarterbacks do. His arm is as strong as ever, as evidenced by the deep throws to Evans and firing darts over the middle to Godwin. Instead of staying in retirement, Bucs fans are surely happy that he will continue his legendary career with another playoff run.
Evans complimented Brady’s ability to lead a team to comeback wins his whole career by making a simple admission: “He’s the GOAT for a reason, we’re blessed to have him on our side, and I look forward to the rest of the season.”
It has been mostly a season for the offense to forget, but games like this remind everyone how potent this duo and unit can be as a whole. Ahead of a playoff run, the offense demonstrated that they could turn the corner and put up 30 points.
That all starts with TB12’s ability to connect with receivers as he did with both Evans and fellow receiver Chris Godwin. Between Evans (207) and Godwin (120), Sunday marked the first time this season that two Bucs’ receivers put up more than 100+ yards in a game.
On a day marking Bruce Arians’ induction into the team’s ring of honor, the offense was firing on all cylinders, reminiscent of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Now, the team is looking to put a stamp on the 2022 season in the playoffs. How far they go depends on Brady’s dominance and making the most of his offensive weapons.
