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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell into a familiar pattern of a lackluster offense after a great start against the Cincinnati Bengals. At one time, it looked like the Bucs would run away with the game. But the Bengals QB Joe Burrow pulled off a Brady-style comeback on the seven-time Super Bowl champion himself. And ten minutes after the game, Brady took all the blame for the loss.

The loss has put the Bucs’ playoff hopes in jeopardy. It also means that the 2022 season is officially Brady’s worst in his entire 23-year NFL career.

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Tom Brady blames himself for the Bengals’ loss

Tom Brady looked naturally dejected after the Buccaneers succumbed to their eighth loss of the season. Speaking at the post-game press conference, the legendary QB pointed out the reason for the defeat.” Well, there are always games that are individual games. Today was five turnovers and you cannot win football games with five turnovers,” he said.

Brady then turned the pointed finger on himself. He blamed his performance for two of the turnovers that cost the team the game.“The two fumbles were, you know, my fault. It was uncharacteristic. One of the interceptions was just a terrible throw. And the other one, I think I got hit. I was laying on the ground and the ball lay in his arms,” Brady continued.

The Buccaneers have struggled offensively the entire season and are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league this year. Every week, their path to the playoffs is getting tougher.

A costly affair 

Tampa went into the week 15 clash against the Bengals with a specific goal of putting their fledgling season on track. They started the game on a positive note. The first Buccaneers possession resulted in a field goal. At halftime, the Buccaneers were up 17-3. Shutting Joe Burrow out of the end zone for an entire half is no mean feat. But everything changed third quarter onwards. 

Read more: In Three Words, Mr. Cool Joe Burrow Erases Fretting Signs on Tom Brady and Bucs

The Buccaneers managed just one single touchdown in the entire second half as the Bengals turned over the possession for fun. In the end, the 2021 AFC champions proved too hot to handle for the Super Bowl LV champions.

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Tom Brady threw 312 passing yards in the game with a total of 30 pass completions. The legendary QB threw three touchdown passes. But what proved costly in the end were the two interceptions. In the end, the Bengals turned over the possession five times and came back to post a 34-23 win. The loss puts the Buccaneers’ overall record at 6-8. This means that 2022 is officially Brady’s worst season in his entire career. His previous worst was a seven-loss season with the New England Patriots back in 2002.

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The Buccaneers are still at the top of the NFC South division. But the franchise just has a single-game advantage over the Carolina Panthers. The last three games can make or break their season. Can they hold out to clinch the divisional title and go for the ultimate prize?

Watch This Story: NFL Insiders Think 2022 Could Be The Final Ride For Bucs Legend