Bucs vs Giants: Has Tom Brady transformed Tampa Bay into bonafide Super Bowl contenders?
There's no doubt that Tom Brady has kept critics quiet. The move from New England Patriots to Tampa Bay Buccaneers has seen a similar response to what Cleveland did when LeBron James made his move from Cavaliers to Miami Heat. For Brady, the move seems to be working, just like it did for James. As for answering the question of the Bucs looking as bonafide Super Bowl contenders, they are. Even if they don't win, it's totally okay, because they have another attempt with Brady who's getting older and better by the day.
The team and Brady have a shared vision — to win another Super Bowl. For a good 10 years, they were consistent playoff contenders and went on to win the Super Bowl in 2002. They haven't won it since. Will they win it this time? Will they make it to the playoffs this time? Will the Bucs under Brady make history? These are questions that have actually seen some concrete answers considering the way the side has gone about their business.
Bucs have been the best team in their division so far. You could call them almost clinical. They have two prime time games coming up against New York Giants and New Orleans Saints. And to look back, they have an offensive line that's made Brady look indestructible and an equally good defense that makes running through them a literal nightmare. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. Throw Antonio Brown in the mix and they're a powerhouse.
Fair Brady had that brain fade a couple of weeks back with the forgettable fourth-down, but otherwise, he's done his job as efficiently and in stellar fashion just like the Brady of the last decade. Combine his stats against the Greenbay Packers where he bested Aaron Rodgers and the Las Vegas Raiders, he boasts of six touchdowns, zero interceptions and 535 yards. There's no doubt they're functioning like most teams, their performance directly proportional to that of their QB.
Things have turned around for the Bucs whenever Brady has got that split second to make the right call. His offense has been down in just two games their 5-2 record so far. Their defense has played a key role and teaming up with Brady, they look every bit the Champions team on the field as they were touted to be on paper.
NFL analyst on ESPN’s Get Up! Dan Orlovsky had this to say about how good the Bucs have been with Brady in the mix. "It’s Tampa Bay. And I’ll make this very, very simple,'' Orlovsky said. "They control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. They got the best line of scrimmage defense and the best line of scrimmage offense. Watch how this offensive line protects Brady, and they constantly get after the quarterback (on defense). Here’s the thing, you can’t run the football on them," he explained.
"I think they give up like 3 yards a carry, so they force you to be a passing football team. And then their blitz package and their dominant five-man rush get after you to create turnovers. Their defense is fantastic in that capacity. And then they own the line of scrimmage on offense. Tom Brady has gotten like seven hits in the last six weeks. I mean, if you keep him clean, you’re going to score 35 points a game. They own the line of scrimmage, that’s why they’re the best.''
For now, the mantra that Brady's incorporated is simple. Shield the QB, give him that frame to figure out the defense, and he will steamroll the opposition. The 1910 pass yards that's currently 11th best in the league (remember he's 43), the 18 pass TDs and the four interceptions are a record of what Brady can do if given the time. It's how he cracked defense strategies of the opposition while being a Patriot, it's how he will do it now.
The Bucs are now a formidable unit. They look better than they did last season and the influence, imprint of Brady is pretty clear. All that's left is winning, and should things go their way, they just might.
Kick-off is slated for Monday at 8.15 pm ET at the MetLife Stadium. The game can be watched live on ESPN.