FOXBORO, Mass. — Even the GOAT has bad days.
It’s easy to forget Tom Brady is human as he rewrites the NFL record books and guides the New England Patriots to winning season after winning season. But the world was offered a reminder Sunday that Brady, despite being arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, indeed is human, as he made a few uncharacteristic mistakes in New England’s 35-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.
“If I turn the ball over twice, I don’t think we’re going to have the chance to win many games,” said Brady, who threw two interceptions in the loss. “So I think that’s what it comes down to.”
Brady’s first interception was a game-changer. The Patriots were knocking on the door near the goal line in the third quarter following a 24-yard completion to running back James White, who finished with 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. But the Eagles’ defense stood tall on two consecutive plays, forcing New England into a third-and-goal situation from the 5-yard line, at which point Brady fired a pick that Malcolm Jenkins returned 99 yards to give Philadelphia a 21-14 lead.
“The first interception was bad quarterbacking,” Brady said. “The team trusts you to put the ball in your hands and make good decisions with it, and that was a terrible decision. So it’s unfortunate because those cost you the game, and I’ve got to do a better job.”
“It was just a dumb play,” Brady later added of pick No. 1. “There was really not much chance of a completion, so I should’ve just probably thrown it out of the back of the end zone or found someone else to throw it to. We would’ve kicked three points. It was just a bad play.”
The Eagles increased their lead to 28-14 minutes later on an 83-yard punt return by Darren Sproles. The Patriots dug into their bag of tricks in their quest to respond — wide receiver Danny Amendola received a lateral from White and tossed a pass to Brady for a 36-yard gain — but Brady’s second interception of the game stalled New England’s drive inside Philadelphia territory. Brady tried to throw a pass out of the back of the end zone but came up short, allowing Byron Maxwell to secure the pick.
“When I’m throwing it away, you’ve got to throw the ball away,” Brady said. “I think that’s, like, basic quarterbacking. You throw it and I didn’t get enough on it, and he’s there in the end zone and makes the play. That was just a bad play by me. I mean, no one can save us from that. That’s my fault.”
One shouldn’t pin Sunday’s loss on Brady despite his willingness to shoulder the blame. The Patriots’ special teams was horrid, and receivers still are struggling to get open with Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski sidelined.
But Brady, who threw three touchdown passes in addition to his two interceptions, clearly wasn’t happy with the way him and the offense performed against the Eagles.
“We’ve got to play better football,” said Brady, simplifying matters, as did many of his teammates. “I think it’s just better execution all the way around, and that’s what we’re going to need to get a win.”
The Patriots still are 10-2. But suddenly, Brady and Co. don’t look so invincible.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
