Pardon our Brady.
But that WAS f***ing awesome.
In what was mostly another headscratcher of a game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense—and a closeout performance on defense—the Brady Magic came alive in the final few minutes to lead the Bucs past the Rams 16-13.
That singular, game-winning drive could potentially be looked back on as the drive that saved the Bucs’ season, or a blip on the radar in an otherwise soul-crushing year of football mediocrity. Per usual in the wide world of sports takes, there’s no in between.
Now that we’ve hit the turning point of the 18-week NFL season, we’re checking in with some of The Identity staff to gauge current #BucsMorale heading into the home stretch.
Was last night’s comeback enough to make you believe in the GOAT again?
Thompson Brandes: I guess that’s why it is what it is, right? It wouldn’t be ol’ Brady razzle-dazzle if it didn’t have the capability to come completely out of nowhere after a dismal game. The Leftwich-Brady hug was fun. Frankly, it was just nice to see the guy happy again.
Ben Shotten: Yes and no. I’m going to have to see what happens next week versus a tough Seahawks team.
Alicia Armes: With Brady hitting 100k passing yards, I think there is still more Brady action to come.
Rafael Agosto: I believe in Brady! I’m all aboard the train and if anyone can do it, he’s proven it’s him. WE really need that Brady special sauce, that Brady gravy to pull us through. (Ok, you might not want to use Brady Gravy.)
Kaylee Glyder: I want to be a believer, but I am not totally sold the old Brady is back. (Trust issues.)
Was this game a spark plug to a playoff run? Or an outlier in a continuously tough season?
Thompson Brandes: A spark plug to a surefire run through the playoffs? Probably worth pumping the breaks. But I think those final three minutes—essentially two game-winning drives if Scotty Miller doesn’t drop a touchdown pass—have the juice to remind the Bucs that no other team should sniff the NFC South. If the defense can do its thing until Brady makes it click, maybe there’s a shot.
Ben Shotten: They’ll make a run, but I think they’ll fall just short. They still have a tough road ahead. Although, they can beat up on some of the division.
Alicia Armes: Spark plug to playoff run! I think they needed to get past their three-game L streak to move forward the rest of the season. Now it’s on.
Rafael Agosto: Possibly, look all I know is that they lost the last like 7 games. Or at least that’s how it’s felt.
Kaylee Glyder: Hopefully a spark plug!!
First Half Least Valuable Player:
Thompson Brandes: Uh, everyone?
Ben Shotten: Can I say the entire offense?
Alicia Armes: Mike Edwards
Kaylee Glyder: I’ve got to admit, the least valuable player in the first half of the game was me, as I was on a Facetime with someone else watching the game.
Second Half MVP Prediction:
Thompson Brandes: Tom Brady at +110, Jake Camarda at +800
Ben Shotten: Tom Brady
Alicia Armes: Cade Otton
Rafael Agosto: Tom Brady
Kaylee Glyder: It was a great weekend for the rookies in Tampa! Nick Perbix scores first goal for the Lightning and Cade Otton came through for the Bucs. Let’s hope we keep Otton’s name though the final eight weeks.
Bucs final record prediction:
Thompson Brandes: 10-7 (And that is my absolute most optimistic guess.)
Ben Shotten: 8-9
Alicia Armes: 10-7
Rafael Agosto: No idea. I just know it ends in the Super Bowl.
Kaylee Glyder: 11-6
Final NFC South Rank:
Thompson Brandes: 1st.
Ben Shotten: T-1 in an extremely weak division.
Alicia Armes: I think they can hold down 1st.
Rafael Agosto: See my previous answer.
Kaylee Glyder: First in the NFC South…because it’s the NFC South.