5 bold predictions for the Patriots against the Buccaneers

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the field during the first quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Tom Brady will become the all-time leading passer in grand fashion

The NFL schedule-makers weren’t subtle about this one. Ever since the schedule was released, this game was one that everyone circled for obvious reasons.

Brady’s return to New England, but also where he was most likely to break Drew Brees’ passing yard record. Brady eclipsed the 80,000 passing yards mark in Week 3 against the Rams. He is now just 68 yards away from passing Brees.

Barring something very catastrophic, Brady will have the record before the end of the first half. It feels right that he’ll be breaking the record in the place he turned into a dynasty.

It’s doubtful Brady will get showered with boos like Brett Favre when he returned to Green Bay as a member of the Vikings. Brady has given the Patriots franchise more than any quarterback has given any team, not just in NFL history, but in the history of sports.

This isn’t Favre returning to Green Bay as a division rival, it’s Michael Jordan returning to Chicago as a Wizard. Brady will always be remembered as a New England Patriot, and the fans will embrace him rather than boo him, at least at the time of the record breaking.

In terms of how he will get there, a touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski to break the record would be extremely poetic.

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