Tom Brady’s Last Look Against The Vikings’ Defense
December 7th, 2020
Bucs fans looking to be uplifted might enjoy checking out what happened the last time Tom Brady faced the Vikings’ defense, just two years ago.
And that Vikings defense was a lot better than the current edition.
Those 2018 Vikings notched a 50-sack season. This year, Minnesota is on pace for 28 sacks. They’ve got a sad pass rush and those are the teams the Bucs usually thrive against. Per BSPN data, the Vikings pass rush ranks 25th in the NFL in “pressure rate,” whatever the hell that means.
Regardless, Brady got a look at Mike Zimmer’s defense two years ago and had no problems carving it up, despite then-banged-up Rob Gronkowski having just three catches for 26 yards.
Brady spread the ball around and finished 24-of-32 for 311 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-10 victory.
He threw short, medium and short, and short again in that game. In fact, Brady threw just two deep balls. Two! One was complete to Cordarrelle Patterson; on the other, Josh Gordon drew a flag. (Hmmm, two receivers Brady only had one season of experience throwing to).
The Patriots pounded the ball 39 times for 160 yards that day, so it’s rather obvious the run set up a lot.
Joe mentions this because Bucco Bruce Arians said early this season that Brady will fare very well when he gets to see defenses a second time.
Well, the Vikings still have the same defensive coordinator and head coach they had two years ago. It’s the same defense — with a lot less experience. Hopefully, Brady’s familiarity will mean something.
December 7th, 2020 at 3:38 pm
I find it weird that BA is specifically funneling all of the traffic at Brady’s performance.
I want to see the coaches actually out-coach and out-scheme another staff.
December 7th, 2020 at 3:57 pm
The problem there is that our current Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwhich will not commit to the run as the Patriots did that Sunday. I can promise you that TB12 will have more than 2 deep balls on Sunday whether thats good or bad thats what it is.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:08 pm
If the Vikes pressure Brady it’ll look like the Rams game. If the D doesn’t get after Cousins, he will carve them up.
Maybe it’s lofty expectations based on a lot of alleged talent on both sides of the ball, but this team disappoints even when winning.
Leftwich is not an impressive OC. I wish Arians would take over that side of the ball.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:12 pm
The difference is Belichick does not get outcoached like the Bucs staff does on a regular basis.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:23 pm
NE held the Vikings to 10 points……if we can do that, we won’t need to be too concerned about Brady’s performance….
December 7th, 2020 at 4:39 pm
The Patriots also didn’t have the new Softie, Donovan “Ima just gonna back up” Smith.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:40 pm
It just struck me that there are teenage fans of the Bucs and Browns that may finally get to see there favorite team in the playoffs.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:42 pm
What happened 2 years ago with the pats means squat next week. And for the Donavon Smith haters hes played well the past few weeks. But hopefully he takes a lay cut and him and worfs just switch sides next year. I know everyone wants him gone but that could be an ide right?
December 7th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Yes Joe, as Old Limp Biscuit said, that was the Patriots defense, whole different crew of DB’s, what a silly article.
December 7th, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Slow news day Joe ?
December 7th, 2020 at 5:11 pm
Hey Joe, how was the offense the last time byron leftwich and arians coached against zimmer?
December 7th, 2020 at 6:03 pm
@Cobraboy … “Leftwich is not an impressive OC. I wish Arians would take over that side of the ball.”
Totally agree with the first part Cobraboy, but BA taking over the offense? You just triggered my worst nightmare. I’m convinced that BL doesn’t have his own offensive strategy; that he’s running strictly what BA has told him to run. And THAT’S at the root of the whole Bucs’ offensive problem if I’m right.
I remember when Mike Shula was the Bucs OC in 1999. Bucs went 11-5 and our offense scored a grand total of 270 points on the season (and 14 pts came from 2 Pick-6s by Donnie Abraham). So they fixed it by bringing in Les Steckel as OC & inserted Shaun King as the QB; relatively few other changes. That offense produced 388 pts in 2000 … after which Les Steckel disappeared (I don’t think the offense liked the former Marine, but who knows). Next year Tony promoted Clyde Christiansen to OC, they added Brad Johnson as QB and our productivity dropped by about 10 TDs worth of points.
Point being that the guy in charge of the offense made a huge difference over that 3-year period, even though the offense personnel didn’t change by a huge amount (except QBs that is). Steckel was by far the most productive of the three, BUT he was very hands-on and very demanding. Doesn’t strike me as describing BA at this point in his career.
December 7th, 2020 at 6:07 pm
So the Jets fire their def. coord. after that moron decision on the last play of yesterday’s game for them. I realize it wasn’t only because of that 1 thing, but still – there’s some accountability for you. Actions have consequences. High time for some coaches (one in particular) around here to own their mistakes and quit nitpicking every little instance of a failure by players to execute, compared to the avalanche of coaching inadequacies during the last few weeks. As Belichick once said to someone belly aching with excuses, “Do …your … job!!!” And if that’s too much to “focus” on right now, then next man up.
December 7th, 2020 at 6:14 pm
LOL !!! BucEmUp !
December 7th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Architek Says:
December 7th, 2020 at 3:38 pm
I want to see the coaches actually out-coach and out-scheme another staff.
________________________________________
Well you’re gonna have to wait for the next coaching staff to see that.
(Though sometimes Bowles does do this. But AriansLeftwich run the same exact plan against everyone)
December 7th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Prior accomplishments have nothing to do with current results. Line up, punch them in the mouth, win and move on. I’m sure Vikings fans are saying the same thing.
December 7th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Unbelievable,
Lol….totally agree! I don’t think they even try to out scheme anyone it’s more …win your matchup …make a play and we win. Now let’s get some drinks
December 7th, 2020 at 7:24 pm
I live in New England, you have no idea the talent you have acquired. Brady is the real deal . I have watched every Tampa game, I can tell you all Brady is NOT calling those plays. What your team lacks is discipline. Evan’s a decent receiver is a bad route runner and clearly Arians was directed to get him more involved, when you have Brown despite his issues is by far a more talented receiver. Brady is used to receivers that know what to do when play is disrupted, you can see it when he goes to Gronk.
The overall team is awesome but you need more play action and a 3rd down a RB that can catch and sorry to say a new OC, Brady is too smart for that JV offense.
The overall team is awesome
December 7th, 2020 at 7:34 pm
Defense,
You’re right!
The problems are scheme and game planning. BA may call a different play occasionally but he would be selecting them off the exact same call sheet as BL. If your options are crap, crap on lettuce or crap on kale……The chances of you getting crap is 100%. Much like the game to game play sheets , the main ingredient is crap all BA would do is order the kale once or twice a game whereas BL is an iceberg kinda guy.
If Cobra or anyone else believes BA isn’t listening to the plays called in and at times changing then I suggest just watch BA during the game. He’s got his play sheet, his armband play cheat sheet and is pretty animated on the headset between plays. I am guessing he’s hands off unless it’s a call he objects to or believes strongly that another is more suited for the down and distance.
Either way, if BL was going full on rouge or BA was calling the shots, it would still look, feel and operate the same and for fans…. look identical.
December 7th, 2020 at 8:08 pm
“Tom Brady has never lost on Thursday Night Football.”
“Tom Brady never loses two games in a row.”
Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by none other than Bruce Arians, Bryon Leftwich, and Jason Licht! The probably promised TB12 things he’d never seen before. Hmmm. Guess they were right.
December 7th, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Any. Given. Sunday.
The old adage is more relevant for this season than any other. The undefeated Steelers just lost to a team with a losing record. Bucs MUST win this Sunday.
December 7th, 2020 at 9:29 pm
“And that Vikings defense was a lot better than the current edition.”
OR
“Brady’s coaches were a lot better than his current edition.”
December 7th, 2020 at 10:31 pm
@DL: If not Arians, then who?
I’m not a fan of Leftwich at all. Seems he has that massive, predictable windup as an OC, also…
December 7th, 2020 at 10:34 pm
If what Arians says is true, doesn’t that bode well for the saints rams and packers in the playoffs? And maybe giants?
December 7th, 2020 at 10:45 pm
@Roy – Appreciate you pointing out that past historical facts are not empirical data to predict future and especially Sunday’s game vs Vikes. Every Sunday game is unique. Stopping Dalvin is one key. If Brady “feels” pressure, will be interesting to see Brady’s play calls…
December 7th, 2020 at 11:46 pm
PS – BA/Brady rift – Really? Ask the Glazers….oops, Brady is the Kang….aka, the money maker in this show… Queens Gambit move….
December 8th, 2020 at 2:26 am
I think Brady will do fine.We will lock up a 6th seed in playoffs.
December 8th, 2020 at 3:55 am
Cobraboy,
Who then? Dan Orlovsky or Tony Romo!
What’s 1 more addition to the coaching staff ….
December 8th, 2020 at 7:32 am
I’ll be the OC; Gimme the headset already. Me: Dink! Brady: OK. Me: Donk! Brady: OK. 7 million sounds about right.