The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers vs Patriots: Five game-changing players for Week 5

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 01: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots stands on the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 01: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots stands on the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Tom Brady

Did you think this list wasn’t going to include Tom Brady? The 40-year-old is a five-time Super Bowl champion and still looks like he could play another four or five years. New England’s 2-2 record is no fault of Brady’s as he has thrown for 1,399 yards and 10 touchdowns to no interceptions. He very well might be the greatest of all time, which makes him capable of changing any game he plays in. Coming off a home loss to the Panthers, “Touchdown Tom” will be hungry and ready to get the Patriots back in the win column.

A frustrated Brady is a dangerous thing for a Buccaneer defense that is struggling to disrupt the pocket. Sure, Tampa Bay is pressuring the quarterback at a nice rate, but those pressures aren’t resulting in sacks. The Bucs haven’t recorded a sack or a turnover in 10 quarters since the first half of their opener against the Bears. In week three, Case Keenum sat in the pocket and tore apart the secondary. Eli Manning did the same on Sunday, facing little pressure after the first quarter. Keenum is a back-up and Manning, while very good a lot of the time, is turnover-prone. I shudder at the idea of Brady having all day to throw and pick apart the Tampa Bay secondary.

That’s the biggest key to Thursday night’s game. If the Bucs can’t disrupt Brady and get to him frequently, he will sit back and do his thing. With a clean pocket and all day to throw, he will put up 50-plus points on this defense. It’s that simple. Tom Brady is capable of changing a game just by the fact that he is Tom Brady. But if he is comfortable and upright, it will only get worse.

Home/Bucs News