NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL Notebook, Week 14: Playoff predictions, Tom Brady’s struggles and more

By Zach Cohen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after kicking the game winning field goal during a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after kicking the game winning field goal during a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The End of Tom Brady?

The Patriots aren’t in as much trouble as you think, even with these cheating allegations (again). The Texans and Chiefs are good teams, regardless of Houston’s beatdown by Denver. New England still has a great coach, a great defense and a good quarterback.

That may be the first time I’ve ever refused to call Tom Brady great. Can you blame me?

In his past four games, he’s failed to post a completion percentage above 56 percent. Aside from 326 passing yards and three touchdowns in the loss against Houston, Brady’s thrown two scores and two picks while averaging 191.6 passing yards.

More from NFL Spin Zone

I excluded the Texans’ game because he still didn’t play well. In fact, if you take away the first three games from the season, Brady’s stats drop significantly:

  • 261.9 passing yards/game
  • 11 touchdowns
  • 6 interceptions

His actual completion percentage is so low (30th among qualifying passers) that he’s behind guys like Jameis Winston and Mason Rudolph! Despite needing three touchdowns to also tie Peyton Manning’s touchdown record, Brady clearly has not had a good season. It doesn’t help that he might have his worst arsenal of weapons ever.

Just watch Brady, though. Most of his throws are designed checkdowns or short over-the-middle passes. Per teamrankings.com, Brady averages 6.6 yards per pass, just 29th in the NFL. I would say Brady will have to play better if the Patriots were to reach a Super Bowl, but is that even possible anymore?

There’s been more speculation than ever about the 42-year old quarterback’s future and, while I doubt he’ll leave Foxborough, I wonder if Brady has it left in him to lead a Super Bowl run. With the dominant New England defense, maybe he won’t have to, though history has taught us to never, ever count out Brady and the Patriots.

Home/NFL