Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley admitted on Thursday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their veteran quarterback Tom Brady present so many challenges for his team when they clash on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. “I think he’s playing at a high level. He just makes very good decisions. He tries to find out what you’re in and always puts them in a good place,” Bradley said during his press conference, a video of which was posted on the Chargers’ official website. “You got a lot of talent on offense, both in the backfield, receiver and tight end positions so he has a lot of threats and an offensive line that goes with it,” he stressed, adding that the Buccaneers are getting more and more comfortable with the system.
Bucs' coaching staff lauded
Bradley also lauded the coaching staff, led by head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich for getting the Buccaneers’ offense into a rhythm with every game. “They do a good job. We got great respect for coach (Bruce) Arians, coach Leftwich and the run game,” Bradley said. “I think they fit some of the scheme to what Tom likes and what he feels comfortable in,” he added. Carrying the momentum of their two-game winning run, the Buccaneers have entered the week as a 7.5-point favorite over the Chargers, who have lost two in a row with rookie Justin Herbert at quarterback. The Buccaneers are currently on top of the NFC South with a 2-1 mark, ahead of the heavily favored New Orleans Saints (1-2).
Brady will also bring his outstanding record against the Chargers on Sunday at home where 10,000 Buccaneers fans can personally watch the veteran quarterback. In 11 career games against the Chargers, Brady is 9-2 with 3,284 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.
Buccaneers a red-zone threat
Bradley also admitted that the Buccaneers are now a red-zone threat, thanks to Brady’s quick and decisive decision making.
“When you have a quarterback that can make quick, decisive decisions, he’s all that more effective. Obviously with the guy they have at quarterback, that’s what he does, he makes good decisions,” Bradley pointed out. “He’s got a lot of threats that he can choose from and the mismatch it presents,” he added. In their 28-10 win over the Denver Broncos, Brady had his best game in a Buccaneers uniform, completing 25 of 38 passes for three touchdowns without an interception.
Brady threw all of his three touchdown passes against the Broncos in the red zone – two from the one-yard line to Mike Evans and one from the 10-yard line to Chris Godwin. Overall, Brady went 3-for-4 in the red zone against the Broncos. However, Godwin is expected to be sidelined when the Buccaneers play the Chargers due to a hamstring injury, leaving Evans as the primary target for Brady.
