Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers exceeded expectations in 2020. The NFC South franchise outplayed Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs by a comfortable 9-31 scoreline. GM Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians did enough to hold on to their key players such as Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, and Leonard Fournette.
via Getty
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike McCarthy-coached Dallas Cowboys always posed a tough challenge for the Buccaneers. A returning Dak Prescott looked hungry as he did back in his rookie year in 2016. However, Brady and Co. proved today that they are prepared to go the distance in order to defend their Super Bowl title.
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ALSO READ – WOW! Tom Brady Connects With Chris Godwin for First Touchdown of the 2021 NFL Season
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski roll back the clock with an epic display
A determined Dallas Cowboys outfit arrived in Florida to take on the defending champions in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. However, old boys and former New England Patriots stars, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, reminded the world why age is just a number for them.
Gronk is still pretty good at football 🔥 @RobGronkowski @Buccaneers
📺: #DALvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/UIVmRJla7F
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 10, 2021
The 44-year old veteran threw for 379 yards with 4 passing touchdowns. He connected with Gronkowski on two occasions, while throwing one each to Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin. The Bucs defense must be given credit for this win. They did well considering the number of turnovers from the offense on Thursday night.
For the Cowboys, it was QB Dak Prescott and WRs CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper who stole the show. RB Ezekiel Elliott was absent yet again and their defense was marvelous. One close decision at the end of the game saw the home team sneak a 29-31 win.
Dak Prescott has had 400+ pass yards in 4 games since the start of the 2020 season, most by any player in the NFL
Prescott missed the last 11 games in 2020 due to injury#Cowboys
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 10, 2021
Twitter reacts to epic Buccaneers vs Cowboys NFL opener
Brady is playing #Madden21.
He’s making All-Madden mode seem like Rookie mode. #Bucs #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/8ak73BYGhh
— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) September 10, 2021
It’s really difficult watching Tom Brady play — at the level that he does consistently — and imagining that we’re very much in the tail end of his career
— Josh Perry (@MrJoshPerry) September 10, 2021
Cowboys really gonna lose to the Bucs by 2 points because of a offensive pass interference that wasn’t called, I’m confident as hell in the Cowboys this year if this is how we lose to the Super Bowl champs.
— Zirksee (@Zirksee) September 10, 2021
Games with 4 Pass TD After Turning 40
8 – Tom Brady
7
6
5
4
3 – Drew Brees, Brett Favre
2 – Warren Moon
1 – George BlandaPer @pfref
— Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13) September 10, 2021
Tom Brady now has 34 career four-touchdown games in the regular season. Thirty-four. That's more than two seasons worth of 4-touchdown games.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 10, 2021
Tom Brady getting chippy pic.twitter.com/knP52xNV91
— Weston Blasi (@westonblasi) September 10, 2021
Welcome back @dak !!! And, no surprise here but @TomBrady looking better than ever. Is it just me or is he throwing the ball harder than ever??? He's incredible.
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) September 10, 2021
I really want to know what Tom Brady is composed of when the autopsy is run on the day of his death but there is zero shot I'm outliving him
— Andy Cortez (@TheAndyCortez) September 10, 2021
Ok, so where is Tom Brady going next year? He needs to play with an elite group of receivers if he wants to reach his potential.
— Stephen Douglas (@Stephen_Douglas) September 10, 2021
Jerry Jones not lookin so hot… #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/7EsWRsaaiI
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 10, 2021
Both QB's have been outstanding navigating around pressure. Pocket presence clinic!! So far, 96 passes, 1 sack.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) September 10, 2021
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. A tandem unlike any other. #Buccaneers #Patriots
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) September 10, 2021
The Bucs have done a good job keeping the Cowboys in this game.
— M.G. (@MarcasG) September 10, 2021
Imagine thinking the #Bucs were just gonna run away with this game.
Imagine being so brash and forget what the #Cowboys have.
LOL. #GoBucs
— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) September 10, 2021
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great game. too many flags. Dak is back. Gronk still a monster. Cowboys offense will be beasts all year. Zeke looks shell of peak self. AB still has it. Godwin = stud. Lamb/Cooper best WR duo in league. gonna be best #NFL season ever. #LFG
— Chris Brockman (@chrisbrockman) September 10, 2021
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It will be interesting to see where both these teams go from here. The Bucs will be high on morale after such a pulsating victory. But the Cowboys will also take this on the chin, seeing as they went against the reigning champions.
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