Well, I guess divorce didn’t affect Brady’s ability to pull off game-winning drives. Tom Brady led his record-setting 69th game winning drive as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a horrific offensive gameplan to beat the Rams 16-13.
Let me just say this off the bat: this was a terrible game to watch. There were only two explosive plays all game long, with both of them being deep throws from Stafford to Cooper Kupp, and only two touchdowns (one from both teams), despite each side having over 55+ plays.
In fact, the Rams offense was entirely reliant on Cooper Kupp as his 8 REC for 127 yards attributed to 92% of the Rams 138 total passing yards and 62% of the Rams 206 total offensive scrimmage yards.
Needless to say, everything the Rams did well on offense (which wasn’t much) came through an injury-hampered Cooper Kupp. Yup, Cooper Kupp came into this game with an injured ankle, and he still went for over 120 yards and had a 69-yard TD catch against the Bucs defense.
He may not be the flashiest wide receiver in the NFL, but he certainly is one of the best. It’s too bad the Rams offensive line is as useless as GameStop because Kupp deserved better.
Though, if I am being fair, it’s not the O-Line’s fault that the vast majority of their starters are out with injuries. From the Rams 2022 Super Bowl win last season, only two starters (Rob Havenstein and Brian Allen) who played then were playing in this game today.
So, it’s no wonder the Tampa Bay defense racked up 4 sacks and 8 QB hits on Mathew Stafford (13/27, 165 yards, 1 TD).
Speaking of the Tampa Bay defense, they really stepped up their game today.
Led by the returning Vita Vea (3 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QB hits), the Bucs defense accumulated 51 total tackles, 4 sacks, 8 TFL, 2 PD, and 8 QB hits as they smoothed Matthew Stafford and everyone else not named Cooper Kupp on the Rams offense. Even though I’ve been critical of Todd Bowles these past few games, I’ve got to admit that he had a masterful gameplan against Stafford and Sean McVay.
By silencing the rushing attack (the Rams only had 68 rushing yards), it forced Matthew Stafford to have to win the game with his arm. And, when he had an offensive line that was giving up 4 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, there was no way he was ever going to be able to lead two touchdown drives, let alone win the game….if he was up against a competent offense on the other sideline. Since he wasn’t, he nearly did win the game.
Yes, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense had another classic showing as they failed to score any points up until the final 10 seconds of the game.
Actually, I’m not going to blame Tom Brady much for this horrific performance as he not only conjured up some old TB12 magic with a game winning TD drive, but he also was forced to pass the ball 58 TIMES just to even have a chance of winning the game.
There’s no way that any quarterback, and especially not a 45-year-old one, should have to throw the ball 58 times in a single game just to try to score one touchdown.
This Tampa Bay running back scheme has absolutely FAILED this season and the entire running back room should be fired for it…including the players. Lenny Fornette (9 CAR, 19 yards) and Rachaad White (8 CAR, 27 yards) are no longer good enough for a Super Bowl contending team, while Todd McNair, the Tampa Bay Bucs Running Back Coach, has failed to get anything out of his players.
Sure, he’s bereft of talent at the position, but he and Byron Leftwich, the TB offensive coordinator, have done NOTHING with a Super Bowl winning running back (Fornette) and a young, hungry running back (White) in the 9 games the Bucs have played this season.
In fact, these two guys have done worse than nothing as the Buccaneers not only have the worst rushing attack in football (546 yards; 60.7 yards/gm), but they also are on pace to have the worst rushing attack in league history. I’m sorry but McNair can’t stay on as a running backs coach when he is partially responsible for the worst rushing attack in NFL history. It would be mindboggling if he did.
Anyway, as for the game winning touchdown, it came courtesy of Cade Otton, the new TE sensation. With under 15 seconds left and the Bucs on the 1-yard line, Tom Brady faked a handoff (which nobody should have believed if you knew those rushing stats) to Fornette and curled out to his right.
Otton, who finished as the leading receiving for the Bucs with 5 REC for 68 yards and 1 TD, broke out of his block and darted across the goal line, waiting for the eventual pass. Strangely, the Rams defenders bite on the fake handoff and went for Fornette, giving Brady just enough time to connect with Otton and to win the game 16-13, ending their 3-game losing streak to regain their lead atop the division.
Say what you will about Tom Brady, and many (along with myself) have, but the man is a winner. Through and through.
No other quarterback would have been able to overcome numerous dropped passes, a failed running attack, nearly 60 passing attempts, and having to drive the ball 40+ yards with zero timeouts and a little under a minute on the clock to win the game. He’s the G.O.A.T. for a reason.
As for the Rams, they’re really getting close to the panic zone for most people. They’re now 3-5, sit 3rd in the NFC West and two games behind the division leading Seattle Seahawks (6-3), and have the second worst rushing attack in the NFL. If something does change quickly, the reigning Super Bowl champions might be relinquishing their crown before the playoffs even begin.
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