TAMPA, Fla. — Even Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady‘s personal daughter, Vivian, who turned 10 years previous Monday, expressed skepticism that her father may defeat the New Orleans Saints at dwelling on her birthday.
“She was somewhat nervous once I mentioned, ‘We’re enjoying the Saints,'” Brady advised the ESPN broadcast. “She mentioned, ‘I do not know, Daddy.'”
He hadn’t achieved it in two earlier tries at dwelling and hadn’t even scored a landing in these video games. And with the Bucs trailing 16-3 with 5:21 to go, it did not appear like it was going to occur in 2022, both.
However the 45-year-old Brady, down one more offensive lineman in All-Professional proper deal with Tristan Wirfs, threw two touchdowns to defeat the Saints 17-16, surpassing Peyton Manning for many profession fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL historical past with 44.
The primary, operating no-huddle, got here on a 91-yard drive that noticed Brady full passes to 6 totally different receiving targets and was punctuated by a 1-yard move to rookie tight finish Cade Otton within the nook of the top zone — the identical nook he secured the Bucs’ come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9.
Then after the protection pressured a three-and-out with a sack for a 10-yard loss by exterior linebacker Carl Nassib, Brady bought the ball again with 2:29 to go. From there, he accomplished 8 of 10 passes, with a 6-yard landing to rookie operating again Rachaad White, who dove over the objective line with 8 seconds remaining to offer the Bucs their first sweep of the Saints since 2007.
Brady joked after the sport, “Identical to we drew it up. Identical to we drew it up.”
Large receiver Mike Evans mentioned this has develop into form of the norm with Brady on the helm.
“One factor about us — particularly the previous few years with Tom — we simply maintain enjoying till the top as a result of something can occur. We have seen that point and time once more. He will get higher like in these moments. Prefer it’s loopy.
“I believe it is expertise and his mindset. He is aware of that on the finish of the sport, he needs the ball within the offense’s palms and he calls for us to go on the market and make performs.”
Stated Otton: “It is so apparent he has been there earlier than. He offers us all the boldness to know that we will do it. That the most important factor is the idea and the boldness on the finish of the sport that we’re going to win this factor.”
However just one different time had Brady truly been right here earlier than — when the New England Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit, trailing by 19 factors within the fourth quarter, to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in Tremendous Bowl LI. Monday night time marked the primary time through the common season that Brady received after trailing by 13 or extra factors within the fourth quarter.
“It is simply wonderful. I’ve simply been grateful,” White mentioned. “I imagine I used to be simply born when TB had first gotten into the league. I used to be born in ’99. Simply to have the ability to be part of that years later down the street, you simply be grateful. And you have to cherish these moments.”
Simply how unbelievable was the victory? Groups over the previous 5 seasons are 3-530 when down 13-plus factors within the remaining 4 minutes of regulation, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info analysis, with the three wins being the Los Angeles Chargers on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Week 15 in 2018, the New York Jets on the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 this season and now the Bucs over the Saints. The Bucs’ odds to win have been so long as 25-1 at Caesars Sportsbook when the group trailed 16-3.
Much more unbelievable is that this was the second time this season Brady has thrown a come-from-behind successful landing within the remaining 15 seconds of regulation. Brady’s landing to Otton in opposition to the Rams got here with 13 seconds left. In keeping with Elias Sports activities Bureau, Brady is barely the third quarterback for the reason that merger to throw a number of go-ahead touchdowns within the remaining 15 seconds of regulation in a season, and he is the primary since Brett Favre in 1999.
“I have been part of loads of ’em,” mentioned proper guard Shaq Mason, who was a part of the Tremendous Bowl LI comeback when he was with the Patriots. “I had a sense the way it was gonna finish, nevertheless it was nice to see that by way of. … I imply, he is the GOAT for a cause. He is the best. I am fortunate to get a second likelihood to be with him. I like it. … All people on this locker room has confidence in him when this time comes. He delivered for us.”
And for his daughter too.
