Locking up Tom Brady yet again will be tough for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints face off against the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers in the divisional round. Let’s just say it’ll be tough to keep him down a third time.

Tom Brady had a phenomenal season. It was his 21st in the NFL, and you’d think the now 43-year-old would be slowing down. Well, he’s not, and the New Orleans Saints are going to have to handle him in the full swing of things on Sunday.

Brady has played well for most of the season, but he’s had games in which he’s struggled. In both matchups with his new division rival, Brady struggled heavily. He had two touchdowns and five interceptions against the Saints.

Brady threw four multiple interception games this season and two of those came against the Saints. Doing it a third time won’t be easy for New Orleans, a team that will likely enter with a healthy roster.

The Bucs weren’t impressive against Washington. They gave up for too many yards to an inexperienced quarterback. However, Brady did his thing offensively and also helped the Bucs to 31 points.

Tampa bay will be better, and it starts with Tom Brady. There’s no denying the defense will have their hands full with Drew Brees, but this game may start and may very well end with Tom Brady’s performance.

What makes the Saints so dominant against Brady? It’s the pass rush. Combine the pass rush with elite safeties and a couple of top-tier cornerbacks, and you have a roster that can give even the best quarterbacks trouble.

In the two teams’ second matchup, Brady threw for his worst QBR of the season. It was under 41. He’s had a higher rating this season than his last two in New England. He’s still elite but is not the same legend against New Orleans.

They’ve been brutally holding down Brady this season, and they’ll need to do it one more time. The question is — can they?