Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the field on Saturday against the Detroit Lions, knowing they had a game to take advantage of. Sure enough, before the final seconds before halftime even ticked away, this one was over.
Days after the Lions were hit by a COVID-19 outbreak, dealing a further blow to a team that was already short-handed, Brady and Co. took advantage in Week 16.
Recognizing a defense without multiple starters and a majority of its defensive coaching staff, the Buccaneers quickly seized on the incredible opportunity. A quick six-play, 82-yard drive was capped off with a gorgeous touchdown strike from Brady to Rob Gronkowski.
BRADY. GRONK.
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2020
What a start for the @Buccaneers! #GoBucs
: #TBvsDET on @NFLNetwork
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/gD1d3IPg1x pic.twitter.com/vDzC7F0XYs
Things went from bad to worse for the Lions. If playing without their interim coach weren’t enough, another setback made life even more difficult. Matthew Stafford twisted his ankle on the team’s opening drive, never returning to the game.
A few minutes later, Brady found Mike Evans open in the end zone for an easy 27-yard touchdown connection. The Buccaneers were racing out to an early lead, and more was coming.
A perfect start for @TomBrady.
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2020
A 27-yard strike to @MikeEvans13_ puts the @Buccaneers up 13. #GoBucs
: #TBvsDET on @NFLNetwork
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/gD1d3IPg1x pic.twitter.com/AOa1TJuED8
After setting the Buccaneers’ single-season record for passing touchdowns, Brady kept adding to his wild first-half performance. Leading 27-0 with under two minutes in the half, the future Hall of Famer connected with Antonio Brown with 74 seconds left to take a 34-0 lead.
As the Detroit Lions dragged themselves into the locker room at halftime, Bray walked off smiling with a phenomenal showing through two quarters.
After weeks of people questioning whether his arm strength was gone and the Buccaneers were a fluke, Brady answered with a 348-yard, four-touchdown showcase in two quarters.
My GOODNESS that throw to AB was sick!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 26, 2020
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) December 26, 2020
So, if the #Bucs just went ahead and rested Tom Brady in the second half, that'd be great #TBvsDET
— Chris Spooner (@CSpoonerPFN) December 26, 2020
This is what the field looks like for Tom Brady today. pic.twitter.com/83lQ79mrpM
— Taylor Jenkins (@TJenkinsTampa) December 26, 2020
So… can this Bucs team, if they can continue to play the way they’re playing right now in Detroit, make a Super Bowl run?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 26, 2020
People spent real time out of their lives talking about Tom Brady’s arm being weak.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) December 26, 2020
The Bucs have 400 yards at halftime and people are complaining about Stafford. Y'all are trying too hard to blame No. 9, my goodness
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) December 26, 2020
Bucs first half. pic.twitter.com/JxklxyWyIb
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) December 26, 2020
Anyone else watching this Lions game? So many thoughts. So many questions. So many lolz. Let’s play the gif game. I’ll start… pic.twitter.com/8OABVeODs7
— Everett Fitzhugh (@TheVoiceFitz) December 26, 2020
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