The most anticipated regular season matchup in NFL history is set to take place, and the hype surrounding it has reached unseen heights.
Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick
It doesn’t get better than that.
For 20 years, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were the greatest coach-quarterback combination in NFL history. Arguably the best player and coach in team sports history. Now, for the first time, they will be on opposite sidelines. Tom Brady will enter Gillette Stadium in the away tunnel, which still feels odd to even fathom. Both Brady and Belichick know and understand the magnitude surrounding this game. They both were peppered with endless questions surrounding their iconic partnership and their recent “divorce.” This just isn’t another game, and it shouldn’t be treated as such. In all likelihood, this will be the first and last matchup between these two. And it will most likely be Tom Brady’s final career game at Gillette Stadium.
How will Tom Brady be welcomed back to Gillette Stadium? Will the Patriots honor him pregame? Will Brady and Belichick shake hands? All of the off field antics might draw headlines, but this game goes even further than that. On the field, how will Bill Belichick look to defend Tom Brady? How will Tom Brady react to Bill Belichick’s defense? These two know each other better than anyone else. They know their tendencies, their strengths, their weaknesses, and everything in between. It truly is fascinating to see how it will all play out. On top of all of that, Tom Brady is only 68 passing yards away from breaking Drew Brees’ record for most career passing yards. How fitting is it that Tom Brady will break the record against the Patriots?
Since Tom Brady’s departure from New England, the Patriots and Bucs have seemingly went in opposite directions. Of course the Bucs are defending Super Bowl Champions, and have started off the season firing on offense. At age 44, Tom Brady is better than ever. Through three games, Brady is second in the NFL in passing yards (1,203), first in touchdown passes (10), and seventh in QBR (66.7). The Bucs offense averages 34.3 points per game, which is tied for first in the NFL.
The Patriots on the other hand, have struggled post-Brady. Last season the Patriots went 7-9, and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and finished with a losing record for the first time since the year 2000. Cam Newton proved to be a massive disappointment at the quarterback position, the roster was flawed, and a slew of COVID-opt outs ultimately sealed the Patriots fate for a rocky 2020 season. 2021 was supposed to be the start of something different for the Patriots. After spending through the nose in free agency, and drafting their quarterback of the future, many expected them to bounce back. But, through three games they’re 1-2, and have had a multitude of issues on both sides of the ball.
It’s impossible not to think about what led to Tom Brady’s departure in New England. Whether it was money, commitment, appreciation, all of the above, or none of the above, it’s all irrelevant now. Brady is a Buc, and the Patriots have moved on.
If the Bucs defeat the Patriots in a crushing fashion, Bill Belichick will fall under more and more scrutiny. But, if the Patriots pull out a victory, it could be the turnaround they needed to get the franchise back on track.
Most people are anticipating a massive blowout by the Bucs. Especially after their tough loss against the Los Angeles Rams. Everyone knows how Tom Brady performs after a loss. But, I don’t see this game turning into a blowout. The Bucs are banged up, and are struggling in a number of different areas. Tampa’s secondary is decimated, they’ve struggled to run the football, and they will be without key passing targets in Rob Gronkowski and Giovani Bernard.
Tampa Bay has struggled to cover tight ends all season, and the Patriots enter this game with two high-paid tight ends looking to find their footing in the Patriots’ offense. Through three games, Tampa’s allowed 20 receptions, for 193 yards and one touchdown against tight ends. That’s a favorable matchup for the Patriots, that they’ll need to take advantage of. Tampa’s injury plagued secondary gave them no choice but to sign cornerback Richard Sherman. Sherman only played in five games last season for the San Francisco 49ers, and wasn’t much of a factor to say the least. I don’t believe he’s a good fit in Todd Bowles’ defense, but, they didn’t have many places to turn to. Realistically, the Bucs are down their top-three cornerbacks.
I think the Patriots will give Brady and the Bucs the run game. This will shorten the game, shorten the time of possession, which will lessen the chance for the Bucs to pull away. If the Patriots get into a track meet with Brady’s offense, they stand no chance. I think Belichick will allow for Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette to run all over them, especially early on. This could frustrate Tom Brady, and could force him to make a mistake down the field. Even then, the Patriots still find themselves in a tough situation, as the Bucs are simply just more talented than them on both sides of the ball.
Tom Brady has always been told throughout his career to take what the defense gives him. He’s won games throwing 50 times, and he’s won games throwing 20 times. Tom has done it all, making it one of the biggest challenge’s of Bill Belichick’s career.
Get your pop corn ready, this will be history in the making.