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Tribune News Service

Sport

Rick Stroud

Tom Brady throws three interceptions in 38-3 loss to Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

TAMPA, Fla. — Congratulations to all the NFL fans who don't root for Tom Brady. The ones who don't wake up and cheer for Jeff Bezos to win the Powerball. All those who think Meryl Streep shouldn't clear more shelf space for an Oscar.

Brady was sailing along at age 43 with his new Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in first place in the NFC South entering a showdown with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football.

He already had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski and Leonard Fournette, a virtual Pro Bowl team. Then at his request, the Bucs added temperamental but talented receiver Antonio Brown just in time for the biggest game of the year.

The New Orleans Saints celebrate in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Brady even had one of the best defenses in the NFL. His team was 6-2 and all that was left was to take the crown off the Saints' heads. But instead of a coronation, it was an abomination for Brady and the Bucs in Sunday's 38-3 loss to the Saints.

Brady was intercepted three times while the New Orleans' Drew Brees threw four touchdowns. Tampa Bay was never in the game, trailing 31-0 at halftime.

The Saints came away with the win in first meeting with the Bucs. Two of the league's great quarterbacks go head to head in a rematch in Tampa.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) after the Buccaneers' loss to the Saints on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Doug Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

The Bucs couldn't run the ball, they couldn't block for Brady, the receivers couldn't get open and the defense couldn't stop the other Hall of Fame quarterback; the 41-year-old Brees put on a clinic.

Brees connected on 14 of his first 16 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns before the Bucs managed to have a first down. He also spread the ball to 11 different receivers while the Bucs couldn't muster a first down until their fifth possession when Brady connected with rookie Tyler Johnson.

Brady had gone 200 passes without an interception before that streak ended when he threw three on Sunday.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) gets playing time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Doug Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

The Bucs avoided their first shutout since 2012 when Ryan Succop kicked a 48-yard field goal with 5:52 left in the game.

One series was particularly illustrative of Brady's night. On back-to-back plays, he was sacked due to a mostly porous offensive line that was playing with left guard Ali Marpet.

Then on third down, Brady rolled to his right and threw a prayer across the field in the direction of Rob Gronkowski that safety Malcolm Jenkins camped under like a centerfielder gloving a pop-up.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) has a pass broken up against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

It's possible the Saints just have Brady's number. Five of his interceptions have come in two games against the Saints while he has thrown only two in the other seven games combined.

The Bucs clicked off a lot of television sets for NBC. Raymond James Stadium hadn't hosted a Sunday Night Football game since 2008, the last time the Bucs won the NFC South. Based on the way they played against the Saints, Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth may never want to come back.

This wasn't a matter of the Bucs laying a few eggs, it was an omelette. In fact, Sunday marked the 333rd start of Brady's career including playoffs and he had never trailed by 30 points or more at halftime.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) works under pressure in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

How bad were the Bucs Sunday? They fell behind 21-0 in the first 19 minutes of the game and 28-0 with 8:45 remaining in first half.

Brees was spectacular against a Bucs defense that couldn't pressure the quarterback, couldn't stop the run and let receivers run free.

How did the Saints carve up a defense as solid as Tampa Bay's? With their offensive line.

The Bucs didn't lay a glove on Brees. They got pushed around and allowed Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill to run through gaping holes.

They lost the coin toss, went three-and-out, then allowed the Saints to take a 7-0 lead on Brees' 14-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Tre'Quan Smith on a blown coverage.

Cornerback Jamel Dean jumped what he thought would be a quick screen to Kamara, allowing Smith to run free. The score capped a 65-yard drive in nine plays.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrates a reception in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Doug Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

After another three-and-out, the Saints were knocking on the door again with the ball on the Tampa Bay 13-yard line.

But tight end Jared Cook was stripped of the ball by Devin White after a short reception of a pass from Brees, and Lavonte David recovered at the Tampa Bay 2-yard line.

It was 14-0 before the Bucs and Brady managed a first down. Brees opened by going 11-of-12 for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

The New Orleans Saints score to make it 20-0 in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Doug Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

The Bucs' best scoring chance came after Shaquil Barrett sacked Brees and forced a fumble that safety Mike Edwards scooped up. A pass interference penalty in the end zone on a pass to Gronkowski gave the Bucs first and goal at the Saints' 1.

But Brady missed Mike Evans. Ronald Jones gained 1 yard. Then Brady fired incomplete to Gronkowski and Evans in the end zone.

The last time the Bucs had sole possession of first place in the NFC South after nine games was 2007 when they were 5-4. They wound up winning the division at 9-7 under Jon Gruden. They haven't worn the crown since.