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Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady is just that good, and the Eagles saw it

By Sravan Gannavarapu

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Brady showed that he is still that guy, despite all the injuries sustained by the team. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Stay away from Tom Brady and Tampa Bay. To make a long story short, it did. As a result, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving on in the playoffs.

In their first home playoff game since the 2007-2008 Wild Card Game, the Pewter pupils and their home crowd were treated to a 31-15 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. As a result, Tampa Bay will have the fortune of hosting a divisional playoff game next week. No, the Super Bowl was considered a neutral site for those who wish to dispute this fact.

Brady had one of his best games, going 29-37 for 271 yards and two touchdowns to Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski. However, he was sacked four times, and the loss of Tristan Wirfs to an ankle injury didn’t help matters, but he still gets the credit for the win.

Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, starting place of an injured Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, came on strong, rushing for 53 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Gronkowski had five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.

A roughing the passer call by Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett early in the first quarter on Brady prompted a rather interesting response from analyst Michael Silver. However, it bears mentioning to Silver that Brady had only been given a roughing the passer call just once this season before this week. Judging by the replay, you could make an argument, but the ball was well out of his hands and it was near the lower area right beneath the hip.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could have only wished for Brady’s stat line. Instead, the former Oklahoma Sooner went 23-43 for 258 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. Running backs Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell had two late scores in the fourth quarter.

Tom Brady looks like he’s determined to repeat, regardless of who stands in his way

A fast 14-0 start in the first quarter proved fortuitous for Tampa Bay. Philadelphia, on the other hand, had their own troubles against Brady. Defensively and through their special teams, mistakes continued to pile up, and overall, Brady just made it look easy, as he has often done for much of his career.

It would also be unfair not to point out just how much Brady cares about his teammates. On a kick return in the fourth quarter, a controversial no-call on a blatant helmet-to-helmet hit to rookie Jaelon Darden had Brady and his Buccaneers teammates irate.

Brady has dealt with his demons with the Eagles, notably Week 6 this year and Super Bowl LII. At least for now, he can avoid them for the rest of the year. The goal is more important, i.e., a repeat Super Bowl title for the first time since he did it with the Patriots in 2003-2004.

So far, so good for Tom Brady. He beat the Eagles and won a playoff game. Now, it’s on to the divisional round, and hopefully, more games ahead. Fly Brady, Fly.

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