NFC South showdown. Tampa Bay 5-2 going into this one with red hot Brady on their side taking on the Trevor Siemian's Saints who were 4-2. Brady wasn't exactly on fire but still threw 375 yards with only 12 of his 40 attempts incomplete which is decent but any stretch. The thing is if you are the NFL start QB the spotlight is always on you and any mistake that you make. Thus his 2 interceptions and three turnover moments will inevitably have the critics go gaga. Opposite QB Siemian had to vacate his spot injured to Jameis Winston but their figures put together were 215 yards with 22 completes out of 39 attempts. Didn't take long for the first TD which went to the Bucs by Goodwin after a inch perfect from Brady. The response by New Orleans was late into the first quarter, Smith deep into the EZ losing number 43 Ross Cockrel to make the match level going into the second.

The Brady naysayers will point out to the fumble at 7-7 7:36 on the clock second quarter as a mistake by Tom. But if you look again at the clip passing options were pretty limited for him. That is down to the Saints defense closing down making sure Brady pays for the delayed action. Disappointingly Tampa conceded the TD right at the end of the quarter to complete a miserable one , by Alex Armah, in which there was another turnover by Brady.Only consolation was the failure to get extra point from the conversion kick after the TD. Several Saints players raised their game for this match unexpectedly. To name a few Kevin White with his only reception and 38 yards and in defense Lattimore and Davenport with 3 tackles each.

At 23-7 after the Kamara TD the Saints were marching in to the winners circle but TB are not the Super Bowl champs for no reason. Brady started to find his usual range and before long the start fourth quarter was almost evens at 23-21. Bernard and Evans( a 40 yarder) with the TDs but not to understate the defensive contribution of Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong. The 3/3 record by Brian Johnson on Field Goals was probably the difference maker in giving New Orleans the victory. This is more so as Tampa had none for the whole match and it ended up a nine point game. A Brady special to Grayson had scores at 28-26 Bucs going into the last 5 minutes. Then Brady turned villain. At 29-27 Saints he threw the ball straight at PJ Williams who punished him by going all the way to the TB EZ for the decisive play of the match. The match wasn't exactly a Brady stinker in my opinion but he certainly wasn't himself. At least the Buccaneers still lead NFC South but the Saints not far behind only a win away.