Tom Brady’s record day, Bucs Playoff Berth should put the NFL on alert | Bleachers report

The 2020 season at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went through difficult times, although it still ends in its first playoff spot since 2007. In a new uniform, Tom Brady once again poses a threat to all teams seeking the Lombardi Trophy.

In a 47-7 victory on Saturday at Ford Field, Brady wasted no time dividing the Detroit Lions’ pass defense, throwing four touchdowns in the first half. In 30 minutes, he recorded his name in the Buccaneers’ record book and became the franchise’s leader in touchdown passes for a single season, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Blaine Gabbert took over from Brady in the second half and gave two touchdown passes against the putrid Lions defense, which yielded most points until week 15.

Although Detroit didn’t offer much resistance, Tampa Bay had to contend during a difficult mid-season stretch.

In week 5, Brady became the subject of old jokes as he seemed to lose control of his casualties while trying to return to the Chicago Bears. Bucs lost that one by 20-19 in a Thursday night football slot, leaving many questioning the understanding of the 43-year-old game.

The New Orleans Saints swept the series of the season with Buccaneers, crushing them in their last encounter 38-3. Brady had one of his worst performances, shooting for 209 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.

Tampa Bay also lost consecutive games in Weeks 11 and 12 to the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, which portrayed a team stumbling through their farewell week, with three losses in four disputes.

Even so, the Buccaneers became more tense after goodbye, avoiding turns in the last three matches. Despite a lackluster first half against the Atlanta Falcons last week, the team showed its determination and recovered from a 17-point handicap in the third quarter to win 31-27 away from home.

We shouldn’t have expected Brady and the Buccaneers to go through their schedule. In addition to a change in the quarterback, the team incorporated new faces at key points and relied on youth to play during the growing pains while starting.

The front office acquired Rob Gronkowski from the New England Patriots. He had retired after the 2018 season and needed time to get back into shape.

Tampa Bay hired running back Leonard Fournette, which the Jacksonville Jaguars eliminated in August after James Robinson appeared on the training ground.

In October, the club risked hiring player Antonio Brown, who had not played since September 2019 while at Patriots. The league suspended him for violating the personal conduct policy after he claimed not to contest charges of theft and aggression – which happened as a result of a situation with an employee of a moving company – and “accusations that he sent intimidating messages to a woman who accused the recipient of making unwanted strides in her direction,” according to NFL Nick Shook .with.

Brown returned to the field in week 9.

On the right side of the offensive line, rookie Tristan Wirfs made 15 starts in the tackle as a vital component of Brady’s pass protection. He is allowed only one bag, for Focus on professional football.

To the rear of the defense, Tampa Bay placed four primary holders aged 23 or younger in Carlton Davis (23), Sean Murphy-Bunting (23), Jordan Whitehead (23) and debutant Antoine Winfield Jr. (22). Jamel Dean, 24, started five games and had trouble defending bad guys who used to double movements to achieve separation.

Even with all the new pieces, the Buccaneers fielded an offensive with eight best scorers and a defense that allowed for the sixth-smallest number of yards in week 16. With a growing season between news and young beginners, Tampa Bay will enter the postseason as arguably the most dangerous team on the NFC side of the key.

Since the Saints won the NFC South title on Friday, Tampa Bay will begin its playoff journey on the road. This is not a difficult task for a team with a 6-2 record away from home.

On another positive note, the Buccaneers overcame injuries to the wide receiver. Mike Evans did not lose a game, but he fought persistent ankle and thigh diseases. Chris Godwin lost four competitions due to a concussion, fractured index finger and a setback in the hamstring. Scotty Miller dealt with a hip problem. These mid-season bumps and bruises partially explain Brown’s addition, outside of his brief history with Brady in New England.

Evans looked healthy against the Lions with 10 receptions for 181 yards and two scores, breaking his franchise record for touchdown receptions in a single season and ending with 13. Godwin prepared for the seventh game in a row and recorded five receptions for 84 yards and a spectacular – grab hand touchdown:

Brown and Gronkowski recorded four combined touchdown receptions in the past two weeks.

With all that firepower in the attack, we can see Brady playing at an ideal level during the postseason. Even though it goes through a difficult environment, the defense manages to keep the score closed.

Despite losing the defensive tackle Vita Vea, who fractured his leg in week 5, the Buccaneers remained strong against the race, giving up the smallest number of yards run during week 15. Since week 11, the running defense has allowed more than 75 yards only once.

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles set off an aggressive run of passes. His unit registered four bags on Saturday, which puts the group in a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the majority in the league (47). Tampa Bay also ranked second in quarterback pressure (160) towards Week 16.

The Buccaneers fan base will happily welcome a candidate after 12 seasons without showing up for the playoffs. Tampa Bay’s wildcard opponent will certainly have his hands full regardless of the dispute.

Brady has a plethora of weapons on the perimeter. Running back Ronald Jones II, who is on the reserve / COVID-19 list, has two more weeks to recover from his finger surgery in time for the Wild Card Weekend. With four performances of more than 106 yards on his 2020 resume, he will add balance to the Buccaneers’ offensive attack alongside Fournette on the ground.

If Tampa Bay’s robust running defense can force teams to become one-dimensional, Jason Pierre-Paul, Shaquil Barrett and Devin White could kick-start quarterbacks in their pockets.

The Buccaneers’ team that hobbled goodbye in week 13 looks much stronger when you examine your total body of work, growth on both sides of the ball and health in key positions.

In the off-season, General Manager Jason Licht pushed his chips into the middle of the table with several acquisitions of veterans, and that approach paid off.

With Brady, Buccaneers can make waves in the playoffs. However, building up your talents by clicking on the right time can take you back home to Super Bowl 55.