Tom Brady Talks Bucs’ Second-Half Collapse

December 13th, 2021

Yes, the Bucs blew a 24-3 lead yesterday.

Tom Brady said tonight that he loved how well the Bucs played to get that huge edge. “We basically did what we wanted,” Brady shared on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio.

But then it all fell apart on the Bucs — at home. It’s inexcusable but understandable, Brady said.

“In the second half, we got guys open on third down that I didn’t hit,” he said. “It’s not like, you know, you go and you flip a switch and turn the off switch on at halftime. It’s a throw or it’s a third-down completion or something like that.”

Brady called the Bills a good team and said good teams will turn the tables on you within a game. “You don’t measure them at halftime,” Brady added.

He went on to praise the Bucs’ defense on the last two Buffalo drives — one at the end of the fourth quarter and the one in overtime — and Brady said the Bills’ diverse offense and strong defense showed up in the second half where it was non-existent early.

Joe could do without the blown leads, but it’s cool to see the Bucs keep winning with still so much to work on in their game. It tells Joe the Bucs still have plenty of room to peak before the playoffs.

86 Responses to “Tom Brady Talks Bucs’ Second-Half Collapse”

  1. Go Bucs! Says:

    we can’t peak against the Jets. This was a good playoffs rehearsal game.

  2. Scooter Says:

    Patriots only attempted 3 passes against the Bills, ran the ball down their throat. Either the Bills made good halftime adjustments, or the Bucs with the lead lost their intensity. Offensive lineman love to run block. Rojo has fresh legs. Bucs need to run the ball more. An improved running attack will make the Bucs passing game more effective. Saints are coming in and they’re not afraid of the Bucs.

  3. David Says:

    He is absolutely right. It is a complete blowout if you change about three plays in the second half. Or even two plays in the second half and one play at the end of the first half.
    The reality is without Josh Allen’s legs, they didn’t do much else. Yes there were a couple pass plays here and there but it’s all to do with his legs and deceptive quickness and speed for such a big guy.

    The defense has 4 weeks against 4 poor offenses to get it together and get a little consistency.
    The offense has to stay healthy and get some rhythm going for an entire game. Three of the defenses they face to end the season are pretty damn good though

  4. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Did he say he made faces like WTF when BA called a timeout at 50 seconds left in first 1/2 and 2nd timeout with 1:04 left in 4th? Oh with 22 seconds left didn’t use his last TO to freeze the kicker. Did he also say Cockrell couldn’t tackle a naked lady in a phone booth? Just asking?

  5. Brett Says:

    It sounds like it isn’t fun for Brady.

  6. David Says:

    Brett
    Really? He has looked like he’s having more fun than he’s ever had playing football over the past two years. He’s literally describing how awesome and happy he was at that play in overtime

  7. David Says:

    On another note…. GO RAMS!

  8. mg Says:

    Arians resembles Captain Wallace Binhamton.

  9. Lesko_Brandon Says:

    That was a great game last night and I’m glad it went our way. The Bills did a lot of adjustments in the second half and the Bucs did not anticipate those adjustments by the Bills. I felt the coaches and players became complacent and thought they have it in the bag.

  10. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I am glad we won, but the refs really missed some calls on us. One was clearly pass interference on their receiver in the end zone, yet it was not called. That would have gave them first and goal at the 1 yard line, and probably the win. Instead, they had to settle for the tying field goal.
    Again, I am glad we won, but this game could have easily been a loss for us.

  11. Francisco Guzman Says:

    @Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa what about the calls not called on the bills? This game shouldn’t have been close.

  12. Bird Says:

    Chrisapple

    Go back and watch game. Davis turns around and they contacted each other. Their receiver got up and did not put up any stink at all
    Did not argue with refs.

  13. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Chris how about the missed roughing the passer when the linebacker rolled up on his ankle and the bad roughing call on Gholston that got Bill’s in FG range? It goes both ways.

  14. Defense Rules Says:

    Didn’t fully appreciate what happened in Sunday’s game until looking at the Drive Summaries quarter by quarter. Obvious that the Bucs’ defense was gassed in the 4th qtr when the Bills ran 28 plays to our 9 plays.

    o 1st Qtr … Bucs 10 pts (3 drives, 20 plays – Punt, TD, FG) and Bills 0 pts (2 drives, 10 plays – Punt, Punt).
    o 2nd Qtr … Bucs 14 pts (4 drives, 25 plays – TD, TD, Punt, EOH) and Bills 3 pts (4 drives, 18 plays – FG, Punt, INT, Punt).

    o 3rd Qtr … Bucs 3 pts (3 drives, 13 plays – Downs, Punt, FG) and Bills 7 pts (3 drives, 19 plays – Downs, TD, Punt).
    o 4th Qtr … Bucs 0 pts (3 drives, 17 plays – Punt, Punt, EOH) and Bills 17 pts (3 drives, 28 plays – TD, TD, FG).

    o OT … Bucs 7 pts (1 drive, 6 plays … TD) and Bills 0 pts (1 drive, 3 plays – Punt).

    All-in-all, Bucs’ defense & offense were pretty much in control through 3-plus quarters of play (and we were up 27-10 with just a little over 11 mins to go in the game). Then all he11 broke loose. Bills had EIGHT plays in that quarter alone that went for 10 yds or more & scored 17 pts bam-bam-bam. After the 1st Bills TD in that 4th qtr, Bucs’ offense went 3-and-out (59 secs), then after their 2nd TD it went 5-and-out (1:48 mins). Fortunately our defense had enough gas left to force the Bills to punt in OT.

  15. KnoxvilleBuc Says:

    If we capitalize on the short field before the half and right after the half. We don’t have this discussion. Brady missed plenty of throws and the defense relaxed. The only call I don’t agree with is the Mike Evans drawing the PI at the end. Under thrown ball(which could have been on purpose by Brady) I just like to see these guys play ball. The physicality of the game is slowly fading and to me that decreases the integrity of the game. We have way too many average receivers putting up ungodly numbers each week with QB’s being able to stand there with no repercussions. Sorry for the venting. Great game and glad we pulled this out. Amazing to see what we can do when we are on and we are still waiting for a full/complete game almost two years in and that excites the Hell out me!! LFG!!

  16. sasquatch Says:

    This was a shameful excuse for a win. That kinda collapse will get you beat in the playoffs. We don’t look like a 10-3 team.

  17. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Do the cardinals have the tiebreaker against the bucs? Is it strength of schedule or what?

  18. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Sasquatch r-e-l-a-x.

  19. Wild Bill Says:

    Brady was spot on in the first half but sputtered badly in m the second half. He threw passes in the dirt to open receivers in the second half. At other times he forced throws into tight coverage or put the pass just out of reach. Tom has had spells like this in other recent games, especially the low throws. In the first half he put the ball just where it needed to be. And his final pass to Perriman to end the game was placed perfectly and led the receiver who did not have to break his stride or adjust his direction. The line backer trailing him had no chance. A great way to finish the game, but too many throws in the second half regulation time we’re not typical of Brady. A little low, a little high, a little behind. Truthfully who am I to judge the GOAT, but there have been portions of several games when Tom has shanked too many throws. Nobody is perfect all the time but Brady was outplayed in the second half. One perfect pass in overtime saved the game.

  20. JimmyJack Says:

    The beauty of that 1st half is we see what the Bucs are capable of. On both sides of the ball.

    As frustrated as I was during the comeback. Theres something to be said for a defense that comes up with 2 big stops at the very end of the game…..And theres something to be said for an offense getting the ball 95 yards away from the endzone and proceeds to win the game a few plays later…….This team is clutch and they are Championship material.

  21. Rod Munch Says:

    Francisco Guzman Says:
    December 13th, 2021 at 10:05 pm
    Do the cardinals have the tiebreaker against the bucs? Is it strength of schedule or what?

    ——–

    With a tied record, the Bucs get the tie breaker. With a 3-way tie, Cards/GB/TB, the stupid Packers get the tie breaker.

    ESPN has their Playoff Machine up, so if you want to pick every game to know the various outcomes, that’s the way to do it.

    But basically the Bucs need to win out, and the Cards and Packers both need to lose at least one game. If the Packers or Cards win out, the Bucs will not get the bye.

  22. cmurda Says:

    @Rod. Wow. Did you see that drop by Nuk. Rare, rare drop from him. The problem for us is that the Packers remaining schedule is softer than ours.

  23. PassingThru Says:

    Make no mistake, the collapse was the defense. A few thoughts:

    1) The Bucs went to the run often, especially on first down in the second half. That was strategic, as the Bucs were up multiple scores and wanted to bleed the clock.

    2) Attempting first down runs was insane. Buffalo knew the Bucs were going to try running, it wasn’t a secret as the Bucs have done that in the past. That meant very short yard gains on first down (even negative) which made second and third downs very predictable (passing downs). The Bucs were freaking stupid, if this is the way you want to play football, why not announce over the PA system that you were going to run first down and pass second and third down?

    3) Brady fell out of a passing rhythm. Dear Leftwich: Please pay attention to how your QB gets into and out of a rhythm. This is beyond stupid as it is predictable.

    4) Dear BAs: Your defense sucks. Don’t bleed the clock early because you cannot depend on this defense slowing or stopping opposing offenses.

  24. Francisco Guzman Says:

    @Rod Munch i am saying do the cardinals move to the second seed ahead of he bucs still?

  25. JimmyJack Says:

    If we cant get the top seed #2 sets us up pretty good too. It means you avoid playing this Rams team in round 1 and it gives you a home game in Round 2.

    #3 means you are likely playing round 2 and the NFC Championship on the road.

    #4 right now means you are opening against the Rams(right now) …..Which is a big disadvantage compared to the other wildcard possibilities like the Falcons or Vikings.

  26. Rod Munch Says:

    Using the Playoff Machine, making my pick for the outcome of the games…

    I keep coming up with the Saints @ Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs. That is absolutely not a game I’d want if I’m the Bucs. That is probably the worst possible matchup.

    2nd most common outcome is the Eagles @ Bucs, third most is 49ers @ Bucs.

    I really don’t like any of those. The hope would be the stupid Falcons can sneak in, but then again do you want to try to beat a division foe 3-times in the same season? For most teams, no, but it’s the stupid Falcons, who you know will choke away any lead.

  27. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Why do i have a feeling the lambs are gonna blow this game?

  28. Rod Munch Says:

    Francisco Guzman Says:
    December 13th, 2021 at 10:23 pm
    @Rod Munch i am saying do the cardinals move to the second seed ahead of he bucs still?

    ——

    Yeah, I was saying head to head, without the Packers in play, if the Cards and Bucs are tied, the Bucs get the tie breaker.

    That ESPN Playoff Machine is quite fun to play around, just pick something like home team wins, or winning % as the default, then just change whatever games interest you from there, and you can play out any scenario you want, it’s easy to waste an hour just trying out different combos of outcomes.

  29. PassingThru Says:

    @Scooter

    News Item: The Patriots are better at running the ball than the Bucs. Shocker, considering some Bucs fans maintained last week that Tampa Bay was better. No. I’m not denigrating Fournette, but rather the run blocking in TB does not remotely compare to the run blocking in New England. And you know what sucks? TB as more talent on the O line than NE. They just don’t develop gap opportunities like NE.

    The running plays are what made the Tampa Bay offense predictable and easy to defend.

  30. JimmyJack Says:

    Right now there is like 8 teams tied for the last Wild Card slot all at 6-7. The great thing is the Saints are one of them…….So we can can pretty much end their season this week. If we beat them then hopefully 4-5 teams all go ahead of them, with only 3 games left they arent technically eliminated, but yeah, theyre done.

  31. PassingThru Says:

    Returning to the game at hand: LA Rams up two TDs, beginning of the 4th quarter.

  32. PassingThru Says:

    This is where LAR misses Jalen Ramsey.

  33. Rod Munch Says:

    PassingThru – Not so fast, the Bucs are #2 in rushing DVOA, meaning when they do run, they run quite effectively. Well, at least when it’s not Leftwich just running up the middle on 1st down, which, in fairness to him, after 2 1/2 years, he’s finally figured out is a dumb idea and is mixing it up.

    But the Bucs, when they run as a normal part of the offense, they’re extremely effective. When they just want to pound the ball, they’re not effective. That’s more scheme than anything else. This is a passing 1st offense, and that’s where they put all their effort. If they ran the same scheme as the Patriots, the Bucs would be better, as you’d expect from an offense that is much-much better.

    But it’s 2021, not 1970, so who cares if you can run the ball. You win by scoring points, not buy how many rush attempts you have. So, no, if Fournette gets 12 rush attempts, that doesn’t mean the Bucs win the game. If it did, we’d just come out and rush the ball on the first 12 plays of the game and get the W.

  34. Rod Munch Says:

    JimmyJack Says:
    December 13th, 2021 at 10:32 pm
    Right now there is like 8 teams tied for the last Wild Card slot all at 6-7. The great thing is the Saints are one of them…….So we can can pretty much end their season this week.

    —–

    That’s not true. I have the Bucs beating the Saints, and they still end up being the #7 seed over and over again. They got the Dolphins, Panthers and Falcons as their other 3 games, so they should likely got 3-1, assuming they don’t beat the Bucs, and of course when it comes to Payton vs Arians, you should never assume Arians wins.

    With that said, the Dolphins are really hot right now, but again, Payton is the better coach and the game is in NO. The Saints should beat-up the Panthers and Falcons.

    If we’re going to end up facing the Saints, then I’d rather the Cards and Packers both win out so we can get somebody else, anyone else.

  35. Bird Says:

    Sorry but I would rather play cards then rams or green bay until last game

    Cards at home and struggling with 6 guys out for covid rams
    Rams mcvay like saints payton knows how to play bowles

    Green bay defense is different this year.

    Again we can beat anyone when firing on all cylinders
    Just hasnt happened much this year but we have 4 games to go
    The saints game is a huge tester this week. Gonna be physical.

  36. PassingThru Says:

    @Rod

    I’m not trying to slay a sacred cow; it wasn’t Fournette who is the principal behind the run stats of the Bucs… it was RoJo. RoJo is a poker tell, when you see him on the field, you know the Bucs far less likely to pass. RoJo isn’t a good pass catching back, and he’s a pro pass blocker. And yet they kept him on series after series in the second half, and kept handing the ball off to him on first down. Why not just send an emissary off to the Buffalo sideline and tell them what the Bucs intended to do? It was insanely easy to defend, and the poor result necessitated passing plays on second and third downs.

  37. PassingThru Says:

    C’mon Rams, score you fools.

  38. PassingThru Says:

    That Cooper Kupp is the absolute best slot receiver in football, bar none.

  39. JimmyJack Says:

    Rod Munch dont know how the matchups play but if we beat the Saints and they fall behind 4-5 other teams thats a weak scenario for them to make it.

    But we gotta beat them first. Well see how their position looks then.

  40. PassingThru Says:

    Wow, AZ got away with an egregious face mask.

  41. JimmyJack Says:

    Passing Ill take Chris Godwin over Kupp.

    Please and Thank You.

  42. PassingThru Says:

    Respectfully disagree my friend. But (for the night) go Rams.

  43. Rod Munch Says:

    PassingThru – I was just pointing out the Bucs are actually quite good at running the ball. As for Rojo, at this point, I think it’s more about giving Fournette a breather. You can’t play him every down, or at least you don’t want to since you want him at full speed for the playoffs. You got to give him some rest when you can.

  44. PassingThru Says:

    The Chris Godwin Lite analog on the Rams was Robert Woods, an excellent second option who provides blocking almost on a level with Godwin. His injury was a major loss for the Rams.

  45. PassingThru Says:

    Very good Rod, understood.

  46. Rod Munch Says:

    JimmyJack – I’m just telling you, I’m picking all the games, nothing outrageous, and the stupid Saints keep showing up as the Bucs 1st round opponent. Go make all the picks of every game for the rest of the year yourself and see how you come up with. As I said the 2nd most popular outcome has the Bucs vs Eagles. I don’t know how the games will turn out, just seeing that matchup… it makes me wish someone would pull a Tonya Harding on Aaron Rodgers big toe.

  47. Rod Munch Says:

    Can anyone get Doug Williams on the phone, have him put a voodoo curse on Aaron Rodgers…

  48. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Rod Munch the ravens are in must win territory next week. Let’s hope they bring out their best game against the packers but i have my doubts. Never seen a team get so many breaks like the packers this season.

  49. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Bucs need to get rid of that voodo curse against the saints in the regular season. Let’s hope the defense shows up.

  50. JimmyJack Says:

    Rod Munch Im really just being general that if we beat the Saints and then they gotta leapfrog a handful of teams to get in…..then theyre halfway dead. Generally your gonna see one of them teams got hot.

    Either way we are really going to hurt their chances beating them and I am looking forward to taking great pleasure in that.

  51. PassingThru Says:

    AZ is losing that first week bye. The Ravens have been really struggling, but let’s hope Jackson heals quickly and brings his A game against Green Bay.

    (I doubt it happens, Baltimore looks like they’re falling apart)

  52. cmurda Says:

    Godwin and Kupp are both excellent receivers. Kupp is more prototypical in the slot as he is quicker but Godwin has more physical toughness and can break right through tackles where Cooper can be thrown down like a small infant. I heart Godwin but mad respect to Cooper.

  53. cmurda Says:

    Freaking Green Bay and their cupcake schedule.

  54. Rod Munch Says:

    Francisco Guzman – The Ravens are beat-up to hell, and even if Lamar plays, he’s a running QB who is going to try to play on one leg. The stupid Packers get break after break. After that they get the Browns, who again, are beat-up to hell with an injured QB. One of those two will need to take out the Packers, but I just don’t see that happening because of all the injuries they have. But Rodgers did complain today that his toe was hurting him more than expected, so that’s basically the best chance the Bucs have at that #1 seed.

    But we shall see. In any case they could get multiple home playoff games out of being the #2 seed. If they can beat the stupid Saints this week.

    Reminder, Bucs 0-4 in regular season vs Saints in years they win the SB…

  55. PassingThru Says:

    Kupp has incredible short distance quickness, runs great routes, and has fantastic hands. I love Godwin, but I’d take Kupp in the slot and keep CG on the outside or stacked.

  56. Rod Munch Says:

    Godwin vs Cupp is difficult, but if Brady is your QB, then you’d want Cupp, because he’s just so insanely quick. If Winston is your QB, then I want the bigger more physical guy who is going to fight for passes, so I’m taking Evans.

    That is one area where I wish Brady would take a few more chances and just throw it high and let Evans go get the ball, that’s why he’s paid so much money. At the same time, you’re the top passing offense in football, so it’s hard to complain, but it still feels like we leave a good amount of points on the field.

  57. Rod Munch Says:

    Those hideous Rams uniforms do not do fat white guys any favors.

  58. Rod Munch Says:

    As long as the Rams win, I love that the Cards get the ball on the onside kick. Nothing is better than watching stupid home fans get their hopes up, only to see a strip sack or INT happen.

  59. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Any concern with the curse of the 500 point club? Bucs might score over 500 points a season. You have to go back to the 2009 saints to won the super bowl after scoring over 500 points in a season.

  60. PassingThru Says:

    As we used to say in high school, CRAM A RAM!

    We weren’t talking football.

  61. Rod Munch Says:

    HAHAHA… what an ending…. LOL!

  62. JimmyJack Says:

    Bucs tied for 1st prize!!

  63. Francisco Guzman Says:

    JimmyJack we should be the two seed but apparently the cardinals are now the two seed.

  64. Jmarkbuc Says:

    AZ would appear to be overrated 😂

  65. David Says:

    And the Bucs just moved to the #2 seed!!

    The Packers have these as their next 3 games:
    @Ravens
    Browns
    Vikings

    I really think they will lose one of them. (Hope Lamar is healthy this weekend!)
    If the Buccaneers take care of business home-field baby.

  66. cmurda Says:

    The Rams did their best Bucs impersonation by barely winning when they should have easily won. Still, a win is a win and the Rams win makes things interesting for us We need to do what we should do against the Saints. The Saints have a good defense and that always gives a team a shot. Honestly we should beat the Panthers both times and the Jets.

  67. Jerry Says:

    Win out and hope the Packers lose one.

  68. JimmyJack Says:

    Fransisco……A three way tie is very good for us because we have a really good chanse to go 4-0…….If the Bucs take care of business really good chance we finish #2 or 1

  69. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Cmurda if this team can’t get up for the saints and win then idk what to tell you. Saints have looked pedestrian at times. Need to blow them out of the water on sunday night. The problem is their defense seems to give us fits yet they look weak against other teams.

  70. cmurda Says:

    If the Bucs take care of business and go 4-0, they are guaranteed the #1 or 2 seed. That’s a lot to ask since Payton has our number and it’s tough to beat a team twice in just a few weeks, but we are obviously capable.

  71. Lesko_Brandon Says:

    Bucs needs to take care stopping the Slimy Saints this weekend otherwise, our 2nd seed standing will be short live.

  72. Francisco Guzman Says:

    JimmyJack are the Bucs the two seed at the moment ahead of the cardinals?

  73. adam from ny Says:

    gotta find a way to leapfrog that arron rodgers diva b!tch qb and the azz packers…

    because no way do we go up to green bay in the playoffs and beat them this year in the cold with a full stadium, after whooping them at ray jay last season and knocking them out of the playoffs last year…

    gotta play hard and work hard for that number one seed – and then rodgers is done…he plays like sh!t in tampa more often than not…

    dillion has emerged as an alstott type dude for them too…

    gotta have them come see tom and the boyz in the tampa heat

  74. Rod Munch Says:

    The ESPN announcers with their “I told you so” nagging are obnoxious to listen to. I usually just turn them off, or will listen to the national radio broadcast, which is actually quite good – but those ESPN bores are just awful.

    Also the other take away from that broadcast is how bad the new Matrix movie looks in that god-awful TV trailer. But I guess we just have to accept the movie will stink. What a waste.

  75. Francisco Guzman Says:

    adam r-e-l-a-x we know Rodgers will choke again.

  76. Bucfan1988 Says:

    Yes, Bucs now are #2 seed!!!!!

  77. adam from ny Says:

    i said it before and i’ll say it again….

    the cards are not build for playoff wars…

    they’re just not that type of group…

    yeah they’ll roll thru the reg season, but will fall in the playoffs to a super hot wild card team on a roll going into january…

    a hot team is often better than a top record team…

    see the atlanta braves in baseball this past year

  78. JimmyJack Says:

    Fransisco I dont how the seeds work with ties……Expect i know we beat teams we beat already(like Dallas) but my TV shows Bucs as #2

  79. JimmyJack Says:

    Green Bay #1 Cardinals as #3

  80. adam from ny Says:

    @ Francisco Guzman:

    i can’t relax until tom tosses that b!tch azz trophy right into the hillsborough river this year and says:

    “yeah yeah, what what…i did it…pass the tequila”

  81. JimmyJack Says:

    The Rams right now got a good chance to take over the #3 slot. That would be a fun rematch.

  82. adam from ny Says:

    the good thing is on paper we have the easiest schedule of the teams contending for seeding…

    yet…

    never sleep on divisional games – we have 3 – they can always be super tough…

    and…

    what if we go to new york in like 32 degress and snow…tom will be fine, but the rest of the guy will have frozen keesters…

    so let’s just hope we roll to 14-3

  83. adam from ny Says:

    time to start playing all the videos on big screen tv’s at one buc, of the saints dancing like strobe light honeys after beating the bucs…

    make sure to show payton boogieing as well…because he did…

    i’m noticing they don’t dance much these days…lol

  84. SOEbuc Says:

    We could be walking into the playoffs with a strong roster. We just have got to stay healthy. AB will definitely not be cut. Just gotta see what his health is like. Edwards is huge, Cockrell is garbage. A Whitehead return at some point would be huge but I haven’t heard anything except it’s bad. We have got to win out after tonight’s Cardinals loss to LAR.

  85. cmurda Says:

    We don’t need any more motivation than making the Saints road to the playoffs a living hell after losing to us this next game.

  86. Bucsfanman Says:

    I keep saying it week-to-week, we have yet to play a complete 60 minute football game. One week the offense shows up in the 1st half, the next week it doesn’t. Defense is 50/50 but at least there’s a reason. Don’t get me started on special teams.

    We looked eerily similar last year going into the playoffs. I rest more easy knowing that we have returning players. But…can we please play a complete game?! No more 2nd half breakdowns? No more stuttering offense?
    PLEASE?!
    I’m going through a handle of Crown every Sunday!