Shannon Sharpe believes Tom Brady is the core reason behind Buccaneers' failure
NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has gone in on Tom Brady for the quarterback's poor showing yet again, this time against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a first half that saw the Buccaneers lead 17-3, they unraveled in the second half as Joe Burrow outscored Tampa Bay 31 to six.
Brady had two interceptions along with two fumbles in what was a horror showing in the second half and Sharpe isn't letting the 45-year-old off lightly.
What are the Buccaneers' odds to win the Super Bowl?
Speaking on Fox Sports' Undisputed, Sharpe believes that the quarterback's poor play is getting worse. He even hinted that Brady looked like a broken man in the post-game press conference.
“Brady has played bad this season and it's getting progressively worse. There’s no way around it, we can’t dress it up. Don’t put the blame on Todd Bowles, now that got people hounding Gio Bernard. The man just got an opportunity to get on the offensive side of the football and now they want to ask him about some fake punt.
“Na, go ask Tom Brady about those turnovers. It’s getting worse and listening to his press conference, he sounds like a defeated man.”
The Buccaneers now sit at 6-8 on the season with three games remaining, just one ahead of the Carolina Panthers. The pair are due to play each other in two weeks' time, which could decide the division.
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers not up to scratch after Bengals loss
The Buccaneers' loss to the Bengals on Sunday was their third in the last four games, as Bowles' team is limping into the playoffs. What is even more odd is the difference between the first half vs. the Bengals compared to the second half.
Tampa Bay looked to have it all under control, leading 17-3 at halftime with its 45-year-old quarterback looking every bit the seven-time Super Bowl champ we all know.
However, the second half was more of what we have seen throughout the season as the Buccaneers and their quarterback simply crumbled.
Tom Brady lost a 17-point lead for the first time ever to lose an 8th regular season game for the first-season ever and Bill Belichick’s team now owns perhaps the most situationally bone-headed play of all-time.
The NFL Earth is off its axis.
According to many, the Buccaneers will win the AFC South by default and at the time of writing, will play the Dallas Cowboys at home. That isn't exactly an easy task, despite the Cowboys' loss to Jacksonville.
Tampa Bay and its quarterback are having a tough time right now and it could be the beginning of the end for the 45-year-old in Tampa.