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 a bit of frightened after I stated, ‘We’re taking part in the Saints,'” Brady advised the ESPN broadcast. “She stated, ‘I do not know, Daddy.'”
He hadn’t completed it in two earlier tries at dwelling and hadn’t even thrown a landing move in these video games. And with the Bucs trailing 16-3 with 5:21 to go, it did not appear to be it was going to occur in 2022, both.
However Brady, 45, down yet one more offensive lineman in All-Professional proper sort out Tristan Wirfs, threw two landing passes to defeat the Saints 17-16, surpassing Peyton Manning for many profession fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL historical past with 44.
The primary, working no-huddle, got here on a 91-yard drive that noticed Brady full passes to 6 completely 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 outdoors linebacker Carl Nassib, Brady acquired the ball again with 2:29 to go. From there, he accomplished 8 of 10 passes, with a 6-yard landing to rookie working again Rachaad White, who dove over the aim line with 8 seconds remaining to present the Bucs their first sweep of the Saints since 2007.
Brady joked after the sport, “Similar to we drew it up. Similar to we drew it up.”
Vast receiver Mike Evans stated this has develop into kind of the norm with Brady on the helm.
“One factor about us — particularly the previous few years with Tom — we simply hold taking part in 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 feel 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 arms and he calls for us to go on the market and make performs.”
Mentioned Otton: “It is so apparent he has been there earlier than. He provides us all the boldness to know that we are able to do it. That the largest factor is the assumption and the boldness on the finish of the sport that we’re going to win this factor.”
However just one different time had Brady really 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 evening marked the primary time in the course of the common season that Brady received after trailing by 13 or extra factors within the fourth quarter.
“It is simply superb. I’ve simply been grateful,” White stated. “I consider 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 highway, you simply be grateful. And you have to cherish these moments.”
Simply how inconceivable was the victory? Groups over the previous 5 seasons are 3-530 when down 13-plus factors within the closing 4 minutes of regulation, in response to ESPN Stats & Data analysis, with the three wins being the Los Angeles Chargers on the Kansas City 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 inconceivable is that this was the second time this season Brady has thrown a come-from-behind profitable landing within the closing 15 seconds of regulation. Brady’s landing to Otton towards the Rams got here with 13 seconds left. In keeping with Elias Sports activities Bureau, Brady is just the third quarterback for the reason that merger to throw a number of go-ahead touchdowns within the closing 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,” stated 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 going to finish, nevertheless it was nice to see that via. … I imply, he is the GOAT for a motive. He is the best. I am fortunate to get a second probability to be with him. I find it irresistible. … Everyone on this locker room has confidence in him when this time comes. He delivered for us.”
And for his daughter, too.
