The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on the San Francisco 49ers on the road in a hometown reunion for legendary quarterback Tom Brady. While Brady was surely happy to be heading home for the game, his return to his hometown area certainly did not go to plan.
It was an awful day all around for Brady and the Buccaneers, as their offensive struggles that have been heavily discussed reared their ugly head again against the 49ers.
Brady was never comfortable all game, and he made a number of mistakes that essentially threw his team out of the game, throwing two bad interceptions in the game.
Tom Brady is picked off by the 49ers! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/1GXqDrrsRs
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 11, 2022
Tom Brady intercepted, again. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/qT1WkUV0g1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 11, 2022
Brady and the Buccaneers found themselves down 28-0 at the end of the first half, thanks in large part to an impressive game from unheralded rookie quarterback Brock Purdy in his first game as a starting quarterback.
This deficit was simply too much for the Buccaneers to come back from, ultimately falling 35-7 in the game.
The loss puts the Buccaneers to 6-7 on the year, and many around the NFL world are questioning where Tampa Bay goes from here.
Brock Party! Brock Purdy out under-dogged Tom Brady in the San Matteo, Cali native’s homecoming game. Mr. Irrelevant in this past draft had the most relevant win of his burgeoning career versus the evermore 199th pick of the 2000 draft
— Jim Corbett (@ByJimCorbett) December 12, 2022
Tom Brady has 7 losses this season (6-7)
That ties his career high, set in 2002 (9-7) pic.twitter.com/ixZEXSvIXe
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 12, 2022
This was the 376th start of Tom Brady’s 23-year career, including playoffs, and only the…
–3rd time he’s lost by at least 28 points (0.8% of his starts)
–11th time he’s lost by at least 20 points (2.9%)
–36th time he’s lost by at least 10 points (9.6%)— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 12, 2022
Tom Brady is going to see this defense in his nightmares 😈 pic.twitter.com/p8BZByQymy
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 11, 2022
Tom Brady 2022 pic.twitter.com/Gjenzd4edG
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) December 11, 2022
The 49ers victory on Sunday marks the first time that a quarterback has beaten Brady in his first career game, certainly speaking to how bad of a loss it truly was for the Buccaneers.
Brock Purdy is the 1st quarterback to beat Tom Brady in his 1st career start.
Feels pretty relevant… pic.twitter.com/cRNxsgojyt
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 12, 2022
The only positive to note of the Buccaneers this season is their division is also experiencing some real struggles this year. Despite sitting at 6-7 on the year, they’re still currently atop the NFC South.
Regardless, they will need much better play from Brady if they want to hang onto their NFC South lead and potentially make the playoffs this season.
