By Lucas Vola — December 20, 2021 at 5:23 a.m.
Fourth regular season loss to the Saints for the quarterback since arriving in Florida.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) – New Orleans Saints (7-7) : 0-9
After more than 20 years of career, Tom Brady certainly thought he had seen it all. However, not sure that he has already experienced such a nightmarish evening in prime time as this one. In any case, if so, it hasn’t happened to him often. No points scored, a slew of injuries, a poor performance (26/48, 213 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT and 1 fumble)… nothing went his way.
It must be said that facing the Buccaneers attack stood up a team that was extraordinary on this side of the field. New Orleans may have just delivered the best defensive performance of the season. And following two years of facing Tom Brady in their division, the Saints are still undefeated in the regular season (4-0, but 0-1 in the playoffs).
Three targets on the flank
It doesn’t take long to hear the Tampa stadium shaking with fear. From Tom Brady’s first pass, Marcus Lattimore puts his hands on the ball. Live, the referees announce an interception. Slow motion will allow them to correct themselves, but the symbol is there. From start to finish, the quarterback will suffer. It must be said that in three regular season games once morest the Saints, the pitcher has already recorded 7 interceptions for only 6 touchdowns. Finally, the 8th will not intervene at the beginning of the evening, but rather at the very end. The 7th touchdown, on the other hand, will never happen.
For the first time this season, the Buccaneers remain silent. Blame it on an incredible New Orleans defense on Monday Night Football. Carried by a monstrous Cameron Jordan (5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits and 1 forced fumble), the Saints deliver the perfect match once morest the defending champions. Tom Brady is constantly under pressure and can’t find the rhythm. And as if that were not enough, the triple MVP will lose in quick succession Chris Godwin (6 receptions and 49 yards) hit in the knee, Mike Evans (1 reception and 14 yards) and Leonard Fournette (9 races for 34 yards + 7 receptions for 33 yards) with hamstring injuries. Its three preferential targets on the flank, it will seem without solutions for an hour.
Even Rob Gronkowski can’t help it with only 2 receptions in 11 passes thrown in his direction for 29 yards. As a result, the locals will record almost as many punts (8) as first downs (13). And even when an offensive streak gains some momentum, it’s cut short by a missed fourth attempt, a fumble from Tom Brady or an interception thrown by number 12. It’s hard to imagine that this team has the best offense in the game. league.
Three field goals are enough
Opposite, the offensive squad is not much better. Taysom Hill (13/27 and 154 yards + 11 races for 33 yards) also suffers from the opposing pass-rush and Alvin Kamara (11 races for 18 yards) is well controlled by the defense once morest the race. The difference for the Saints? They seize opportunities. New Orleans will gain fewer yards in total than its opponent (212 once morest 301), but will validate each passage in the opposing camp. Three field goals of 39, 35 and 42 yards from Brett Maher are enough for the men of Sean Payton, absent this evening due to Covid, to return to Louisiana with the victory.
With this success, the Saints remain in the playoff race and prove once once more that this defense is to be taken seriously. And this once morest any opponent. For the Bucs, the NFC South title will still have to wait. Tampa Bay hasn’t won its division since 2007 and has yet to win a game. More importantly, with the specter of the playoffs approaching, we will have to monitor the state of health of the various injured in Florida.
