TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady loves to troll the Atlanta Falcons, especially since his legendary comeback from a 28-3 deficit to win Super Bowl 51.
In a celebratory video of the Bucs’ season-opening win over Dallas posted on social media, Brady had a subtle reminder of his dominance in that game with the clock in the left corner reading 3:28.
Brady knew what time it was Sunday, too, extending his career record against the Falcons to 9-0 by throwing five touchdowns in a 48-25 win at Raymond James Stadium.
It’s the ninth straight game the Bucs have scored 30 or more points, an NFL record. The nine touchdowns in the first two games by Brady are a Bucs team record.
The Bucs built a 28-10 lead as Brady (24-of-36, 276 yards, no interceptions) threw two touchdowns to tight end Rob Gronkowski and two more to receiver Mike Evans.
His fourth scoring toss came early in the third quarter after Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea deflected a pass from Matt Ryan that was intercepted by Shaquil Barrett at the Atlanta 18-yard line.
After scrambling for a first down, Brady then connected with Evans on a 1-yard fade route in the end zone. Evans, who was held to three catches for 24 yards in the 31-29 win over Dallas in Week 1, caught touchdown passes of 3 and 1 yard Sunday.
Evans’ second touchdown gave the Bucs a 28-10 lead. But credit the Falcons for making it a game.
Quarterback Matt Ryan answered the turnover with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by his touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley on fourth and goal at the 3-yard line.
The Falcons cut the Bucs’ lead to 28-25 on Ryan’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Cordarrelle Patterson. Ryan then ran for a two-point conversion.
The Bucs couldn’t do anything on their next possession after a holding penalty on Gronkowski. But Bradley Pinion nailed a 57-yard punt that was downed on the Atlanta 4-yard line.
On third and goal, Bucs defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches dumped Patterson for a 5-yard loss.
Brady went right to work, firing a 17-yard pass to Evans. Then he tossed his fifth touchdown of the game, this one to Chris Godwin for 12 yards with 9:12 remaining to make it 35-25.
On the next series, Bucs safety Mike Edwards intercepted Ryan and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. He added a second pick-six with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
