Tom Brady’s much-anticipated debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended with a thud on Sunday, as Tampa Bay lost its season opener to the New Orleans Saints, 34-23.
Brady finished the afternoon 23-of-36 with two touchdowns, including a two-yard rushing score and an endzone connection with tight end O.J. Howard. But his two interceptions crippled the Bucs, including one to Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins that was brought back for a touchdown.
Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians didn’t hold back in his press conference, stating that both interceptions were Brady’s fault.
“One was a miscommunication between [Brady] and Mike [Evans]. He thought Mike was going down the middle - it was a different coverage - Mike read it right. He should have been across his face, but Tom overthrew it. The other one was a screen pass with an outlet called. He threw the outlet and it was a pick-six. Bad decision.”
Evans, who has battled a hamstring injury during training camp, finished the game with just one catch and two receiving yards. Chris Godwin and Scott Miller shouldered the majority of the receiving production, combining for 11 catches and 152 yards.
For New Orleans, it was a relatively quiet game for Drew Brees, who finished with just 160 yards and 18 completions, but he played an efficient game, and connected for two touchdowns. Star running back Alvin Kamara was the recipient of one of those scores and added a rushing touchdown as well.
Dual-threat QB Taysom Hill flashed his mutli-faceted skillset, completing a 38-yard pass to Kamara and catching a 14-yard toss of his own from Brady.
No fans were in attendance at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, due to city regulations for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Brady and the Bucs will head to Tampa Bay to play their home opener against Carolina, while the Saints will take part in the first NFL game ever played in Las Vegas on Sept. 21 when they visit the Raiders.
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