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Stephen A. Smith Backs Tom Brady to Pull Off an Upset Against the New Orleans Saints

Published 01/15/2021, 2:50 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Tom Brady and Drew Brees have met 7 times in the past. But in their next matchup, the stakes will be as high as ever. Meeting for the first time in the Playoffs, the 2 greats of the game will be hoping to book their tickets for the NFC Championship game with a win on Sunday. 

The two sides have meant earlier in the season, twice. And both times, it’s been the New Orleans Saints who’ve come out on top. That too, quite comfortably. 

Buccaneers learning from their mistakes

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Following the 2 defeats, many peg the Saints to come out on top yet again. But some feel that it might just be 3rd time lucky for Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.  

NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith during a segment of ESPN’s First Take said that despite the losses, it would be a mistake to count the Buccaneers out just yet. 

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I find it very hard to believe that after getting blitzed on two occasions against the same team that you go there and for a third time you get ramrodded. This is Tom Brady we’re talking about here,” said Smith.

Smith believes that the Buccaneers will have learned from their mistakes from the 34-23 and 38-3 routs they suffered at the hands of the Saints.

“I just find it unfathomable that there are no adjustments, that there’s nothing learned from those annihilations that took place by the hands of the New Orleans Saints.”

Count Tom Brady out at your own risk

Smith believes that the stage is set for a Tom Brady masterclass. The quarterback has churned out wins over the years when least expected. And when it comes to the Playoffs, counting out the GOAT would be a silly error to make for any franchise.

“I just find this to be one of those games that is set up for Tom Brady and the crew to find a way to escape. And I certainly expect the game to be close no matter what,” said Smith.

“I really do not expect a blow up this time around. But it would not surprise me because of how the Saints have manhandled the Bucks on 2 occasions. That a third time is not a charm.”

USA Today via Reuters

Brady has registered numerous famous comeback wins and upsets through his postseason career. No more well documented than the come-from-behind victory against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

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With more playoff wins than active player, the GOAT is a force to be reckoned with when a shot at making the Super Bowl is on the line.

“(I believe) That somehow, someway, that 43-year-old, Mr. Geriatric himself, summons up something. I find it very difficult to believe that for the 3rd go-round, you get shellacked by the same team in the same season when you are led by Tom Brady,” he added.

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The comeback kid is now 43. But he hasn’t lost a spring in his step. Aiming to win an unprecedented 7th Super Bowl ring, Tom Brady has the roadmap laid out ahead of him to rewrite the history books, yet again.

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Written by:

Shivayan Roy

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Shivayan Roy is currently an NFL writer at EssentiallySports. After completing his Masters Diploma in Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Roy functioned as a reporter for Goal.com and extensively covered the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
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