The Tampa Bay Buccaneers strengthened their hold on the NFC South with a thrilling 17-16 win over their division rival New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, injecting a shot of adrenaline into what has been an underwhelming season for the one-time offensive powerhouse. Quarterback Tom Brady led the 70th game-winning drive of his storied career, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with a touchdown pass with only three seconds remaining in regulation.
With the game on the line, it was the 🐐's time to shine #NOvsTB pic.twitter.com/FNJgzyw8lP
— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2022
It was Brady's second touchdown pass of the game's final three minutes. The Bucs had suffered through a miserable evening on offense for most of the night, scoring only three points through the first three quarters and turning the ball over twice, but with the game on the line, the GOAT would not be denied. He methodically moved his team down the field on his two final drives, completing touchdown passes to rookies Cade Otton and Rachaad White and stealing the improbable win.
It was a rare moment of bliss for Bucs fans this year. Brady has been competent in what has been a slog of a season, averaging 277.7 passing yards per game while holding the league's best interception rate (0.6%), but the Bucs have failed to produce fireworks at the rate they have in previous Brady years. After averaging 30.8 points per game in 2020 and 30.1 in 2021, they're down to 18.1 this season. The Bucs are 6-6 as a result.
As disappointing a season as it's been, yesterday's fourth-quarter comeback will go down as a signature moment in Brady's singular career, one glorious ray of sunshine in a dark and murky year. It may be too late for the Bucs offense to evolve into the juggernaut it once was, but there's still no more proven quarterback with the game on the line. Just ask the Saints. Or the Rams, for that matter.
Photo Credit: © Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports.jpg)
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