Bring the blitz:
Tom Brady may be the best quarterback in the league at getting the ball out before the blitz gets to him, but when it does, he’s not the same guy.
Since the Giants beat the undefeated Patriots in the ’07 Super Bowl, there’s only been one thing that’s every truly thwarted Mr. Uggs: Pressure. It’s been the case in every one of the Patriots big postseason losses, and it’s shown itself again this season, especially against the Bill on Monday night.
Rex Ryan brought the blitz all night, hitting Brady nine times, and it showed, as Brady arguably had the worst game of his season.
In the last few weeks, Wade Phillips has seemingly eased off the gas pedal, which may have been because he was looking to contain some of the league’s best scrambling quarterbacks, but he has to come at Brady with everything he’s got this weekend; and he’s got a lot.
Again, while Brady is widely regarded as the MVP frontrunner, he hasn’t been nearly the same quarterback when facing pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, Brady is tied with Peyton Manning as the 12th most accurate quarterback when under pressure; that’s just about the most average of a stat you’ll ever find about Tom Brady.
