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TAMPA, Fla .– In his 22nd NFL season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is struggling to find many career “firsts”. But over the two weeks of the regular season, Brady had nine league-leading touchdown passes, surpassing his previous career record, after scoring five goals in a 48-25 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. .
“I think every time you have a guy like Tom leading us, I think you’re in a good position,” said wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has two touchdowns in two weeks. “All the talented players around him trust him and trust is one of the greatest things you can have in this game.”
Brady threw a pair of touchdowns each to tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Mike Evans, and connected with Godwin in the fourth quarter. Defensive back Mike Edwards finished the job with two pick-sixes in the fourth quarter, becoming the first player since Robert Massey in 2012 to record two returned interceptions for a single game’s fourth quarter scores, and the first player since Zach Brown with two such touchdowns in one game.
Including last year’s playoffs, the Buccaneers (2-0) have now scored at least 30 points and won each of their last nine games, the longest streak in NFL history. Brady and Gronkowski have also combined for six touchdowns in three games dating back to Super Bowl LV – their best three-game mark in 11 seasons together. And Gronkowski joined Ben Coates (1994) and Dee Mackey (1962) as the only tight ends in league history with at least two touchdown receptions in each of their team’s first two games.
“It’s dope. I think the more we go, the more we understand each other, the better,” Godwin said. “It’s not easy to rack up 30 points in this league. I think that is a testament to not only our offense but also our defense which continues to give us opportunities to go there and score touchdowns. .
In addition to Edwards’ two scores on the defensive end – just the third time in Buccaneers franchise history that a player has achieved this feat – outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett knocked out Matt Ryan in the third quarter, establishing the second touchdown. Evans.
“What I think, and I’m sure other guys feel the same, is I think we can do better. I really do,” said Brady, who has thrown for 655 yards this season. . “And I really think we have the opportunity, with the way the games are going and the opportunities we get with the ball – we have even more.…”
“We’re trying to do something special with the offense this year,” said Evans, who had five catches for 75 yards. “We had some really good plays today, but obviously there’s even more out there.… But that’s cool, man. Everyone’s got to be ready. We’ve got so many guys who can get the ball out. any time. We just have to make sure we’re ready. “
Despite the powerful score, the Buccaneers offense still feels like it hasn’t reached its full potential. His five turnovers in two games are tied for most in the NFL until Sunday’s games at 4 p.m. ET, as well as tied for the league lead on 22 penalties.
The Buccaneers also posted a 39.1% conversion rate on the third down, tied for 17th in the league. Scoring touchdowns in the red zone has been their strength, with their seven touchdowns in that zone tied with the Arizona Cardinals for most in the NFL.
“We were a little loose with the ball,” said Brady, who lost a fumble to a sack in the first quarter. “Some penalties at different times that got us out of action, some missed shots I had, some missed reads. I certainly wish I had made better shots tonight. But it’s good to get the win. , being 2-0 and there’s a lot to lean on, and it’s good to beat a division opponent. “
The Buccaneers encounter another big power attack in Week 3 on the road for the Los Angeles Rams, who are averaging 30.5 points per game with new quarterback Matthew Stafford. This will give some indication of where they are heading into the season, especially after a 27-24 loss to the Rams at home in Week 11 last year.
“Obviously we got 14 points from the defense, but we left some points offensively,” said coach Bruce Arians. “I haven’t seen us on the verge of playing regularly yet. Hopefully we get there next week because we’re going to have to.”
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