Lombardi: Why Tom Brady, struggling Bucs won't come to life

Tom Brady with a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter was like Michael Jordan shooting the winning shot at the end of the game — it’s an automatic win.

Before Sunday, Brady was 218-0 with a seven-point or greater lead in the fourth. He always closed the game — always made the right play at the right time. He was the NFL version of former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

On the shores of Lake Erie on Sunday, Brady’s seven-point lead streak came to an end.  And it wasn’t because he didn’t have chances. The Bucs offense had the ball three times in the fourth, gaining only two first downs and having to punt all three times. In overtime, they also had to punt the ball back to the Browns, which eventually cost them the game. 

The Bucs offense scored in the second quarter with 7:42 remaining and from that moment forward only punted, never scored or even got close to scoring. They were shut down by the Browns defense, gaining fewer than 75 yards and six first downs the rest of the game. All it would have taken was one score against the Browns and the Bucs would be in control of the NFC South. Now they are fighting for their playoff life. 



  
Read Full Article
  
  

Avatar photo

By VSiN