Tom Brady came up about one second — and perhaps one Mike Evans — short of leading a memorable comeback against the Packers.
Evans, for those who don’t remember, was suspended for this game after he got in a fight with Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints last week.
While Russell Gage filled in admirably in Evans’ absence, a player the caliber of Evans could’ve been useful for a Bucs offense that is struggling enough as is. Brady and Co. could only manage 12 points against a good Packers defense — and those final six came on a hurry-up drive with just a few minutes remaining.
A delay of game penalty on their two-point conversion attempt officially doomed Tampa Bay, and Brady couldn’t find an open man from the seven-yard line.
Tom Brady loses to Aaron Rodgers: Best reactions
Neither player was all that impressive, as the game between two all-time greats (for perhaps the final time) was dominated by the defenses.
Still, it didn’t stop NFL fans from trolling Brady, as they usually do, when he lost.
If Tom Brady throws another tablet, it will make sense.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 25, 2022
He's been on the money on nearly every pass but his backup WRs fumbled twice to turn it over, his 3rd string starting LT had a false start and allowed a sack and every time they move the ball, someone makes a mistake.
Tom Brady in open space pic.twitter.com/ikDdtxIDUU
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 25, 2022
Livelook at Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/I8vhZhkQr3
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) September 25, 2022
Tom Brady after dealing with this group of receivers pic.twitter.com/rZ25iKQtki
— TB EGO (@TomBradyEgo) September 25, 2022
Tom Brady when he doesn't have 3 All-Pro receivers, a HOF TE & an elite offensive line. pic.twitter.com/qyUKorx6Yj
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) September 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/jahfranchise/status/1574181978470895618
What I assumed Tom Brady said https://t.co/nTwGR2Ur8s pic.twitter.com/CHworOELpo
— JFed (@HeyJFed) September 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/sassybibrarian/status/1574181843674443776
aaron rodgers beating tom brady in 2022 pic.twitter.com/YcBFkRUoTV
— kpg (@notoriouskpg) September 25, 2022
Feels so damn good to beat Tom Brady man, so good. That 2020 NFC Championship still haunts me man #GoPackGo
— Dolent (@_Dolent_) September 25, 2022
Bucs have scored 51 points in three games. Last year, they scored 511. From 30 points per game to 17.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 25, 2022
Will be interesting tomorrow to see if the Tom Brady Industrial Complex at @ESPNNFL stops the “Tom can overcome anything” insanity and realizes how messed up the Bucs are.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) September 25, 2022
Is Tom Brady washed? I'm not going there yet. He needs to get some teammates healthy. But the delay-of-game penalty at the end summed up the Buccaneers' struggles on offense. https://t.co/gERu6XkmPV
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) September 25, 2022
yo tom brady what’s uppppp https://t.co/tIH9Iyx26r
— ingrid (@cavistyles) September 25, 2022
Tom Brady gets a delay of game on the 2pt conversion to send the game to overtime. Just love to see it. pic.twitter.com/HkhJ6yLi1F
— Jim (@goonsquadfowler) September 25, 2022
There were plenty more where that came from.
Brady is arguably the best quarterback of all-time. With that comes high expectations. Despite his age, TB12 receives more hate than any QB in the history of football, which is why despite leading a near-90 yard drive to score with just seconds left in regulation, he can be the target of such commentary after the game.
One mistake changes everything.