Tom Brady takes the blame for the defeat against the New Orleans Saints. However, a possible parallel to the preseason could encourage Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans.

Tampa Bay / Munich – Actually, Tom Brady is consistency personified. However, there was little of that to be seen in his Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 27-36 win over the New Orleans Saints.

The 44-year-old threw for 375 yards and recorded four touchdown passes. Ultimately, though, it’s his three turnovers that will be remembered.

“We obviously didn’t play the way we’re supposed to. I’ve got to play better,” Brady said, “It’s hard to win a game when you lose balls like we did today. I can’t throw interceptions. That’s the key.”

In the second quarter, he suffered a fumble and an interception in each of two consecutive drives. The latter was intercepted by Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

Brady on his pick six: “That cost us the game “

In the fourth period, when the Buccaneers were down 27-29 and could have turned the game around with a field goal, he made the next big mistake with a pick six. P.J. Williams carried the ball back into the end zone and thus ensured the decision. Actually, Brady’s pass was meant for Chris Godwin.

“I just threw the ball to the wrong guy,” Brady said self-critically. “Mike Evans was completely free. That cost us the game.”

The Saints don’t seem to suit him: seven of the 17 total interceptions he’s thrown since moving to Tampa Bay have come against New Orleans. “They were just bad throws,” he continued his criticism.

Bruce Arians, the Buccaneers’ head coach, also attributed the loss to his own mistakes. “That was an embarrassing display of football,” he clarified. “Obviously we weren’t prepared to play a good game today. Penalties, turnovers – you can’t beat anyone like that. “

Arians on the penalties: “just stupid “

In fact, the lack of discipline was a major reason for the defeat, along with the ball losses. Eleven infractions led to a loss of space of 99 yards. By comparison, the Saints only conceded two penalties for a total of 10 yards. “The penalties for roughing the passer were just stupid,” Arians had strong words.

The Buccaneers now have two weeks to analyse the mistakes and draw the right conclusions. After the bye week, they have a game against the Washington Football Team.

Division rival New Orleans Saints, meanwhile, could draw level with a win against the Atlanta Falcons and also have a record of six wins and two losses.

Across the NFC, the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams have already escaped the Buccaneers with a record of 7-1.

Meaning: If Tampa Bay wants to keep their chance of a direct qualification for the 2nd playoff round, they can’t afford any more defeats if possible. 

Last season, the Bye-Week was followed by a turnaround

What could be encouraging for the Buccaneers in this: Last season, they also conceded a loss before the bye week (then against the Kansas City Chiefs), but then started an eight-game winning streak all the way to a Super Bowl triumph.

Centre Ryan Jensen later recounted how Brady had rallied the team after that defeat: “He said, ‘Hey, we’re going to go through this together. We’re going to figure out what’s going wrong. And we’re not going to lose another game this year.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”

It is not known whether Brady gave or will give another speech of this kind within the team after the defeat against the Saints.

What is certain, however, is that Brady is looking ahead: “We’ve got a lot of fighters, so we’re going to fight back and do better next time. “