The reality of Tom Brady, and the Patriots

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It seems that every season for the last five years Tom Brady has faced the same old questions about whether or not his play has fallen off, and if the New England Patriots can continue their unprecedented reign over the AFC in spite of Brady’s performance. Well, six games into the 2019 season and Tom Terrific yet again must deal with the criticism of his ever-declining play.

Despite Massachusetts’ lone franchise being one of only two undefeated teams left standing in the entire NFL (as of now); the Patriots, right along with Brady, still have their annual dose of doubters. But is Tom Brady playing below his lofty expectations, and if he is, do we believe that the greatest quarterback ever will not turn it up when needed most like he always does?

The narrative surrounding Brady this season is that he is getting carried by New England’s league-leading defense and that they are 6-0 no thanks to him. Well, that is completely false.

While he may not be performing at the same nearly unmatchable level as he did in his then record-setting fifty touchdown season, TB12 is still more than carrying his weight. Through six games this year; Brady is on pace for 4,648 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. Not to mention he has chipped in 3 scores on the ground as well. No, these are not MVP Tom Brady numbers, but they are by no means numbers reminiscent of someone who has fallen off the proverbial cliff.

Maybe the performance of guys who play in extremely pass-happy offenses, which in turn give them inflated numbers, makes these numbers look unimpressive. Or more likely, what causes some to scoff at these stats is Tom Brady’s legendary play in the past. It may be a little bit of both. Regardless, it is almost impossible to maintain THAT level of play at age 42, but do not dismiss Brady as an elite leader and thrower of the football.

The Patriots have started the season blistering hot in this 2019 campaign. New England, much like Brady, still had to listen to doubtful; skeptical fans. The difference between Brady and New England as a whole is that there is no apprehension about the quality of their play, but instead whom those wins have come against. So far through five weeks (plus Thursday’s night game for New England), their opponents have a combined seven wins, with four of those wins coming from the Buffalo Bills. The Bills, have been New England’s only real test so far, only defeating Buffalo by six, despite Josh Allen getting knocked out of the contest and even before that, giving the ball away three times.

It also happens to be Tom Brady’s only poor performance thus far. There is a legitimate argument to be made that New England has not had to play anybody as of yet, but they can’t choose whom they play and they also can’t help the fact that two of the worst teams in the league reside in the AFC East. The Bills, Dolphins, and Jets have tried for nearly two decades to try and build a contender, and due to their incompetence, not the Patriots, has continued to hold them back. Once New England hits the rough stretch of their schedule, they will still look just as exceptional as they have up to this point.

It makes no sense to discount Brady and the New England Patriots, no matter what reasoning one may have. Year in and year out Brady has shown that in the biggest moments, he plays his absolute best and there is no reason to expect anything different in his 20th season in the league.

As for the Patriots, why should we not have faith in the greatest X’s and O’s head coach we have ever seen. Not to forget that this is the best defense Bill Belichick has ever had during his tenure in Foxborough. If for whatever reason TB12 pulls a Peyton Manning in what was his last season, this vaunted defense can most definitely bring home a 7th Lombardi trophy to Foxborough. Just as the Denver Broncos did for Manning. The New England Patriots, love them or hate them; with the G.O.A.T at quarterback, the greatest head coach in American sports history and their shutdown defense, should yet again be favorites to win the Super Bowl and further continue to put an end the discussion on who is the greatest dynasty in league history.

- Paul Hessing