Shannon Sharpe slams Tom Brady for "deflecting blame" ahead of leadup to Wild Card game against Cowboys
Despite finishing under .500 for the first time in his career, the 2022 NFL playoffs will have Tom Brady as a participant. In a clip played on Undisputed, the quarterback explained that he was excited to have a much healthier team going into the playoffs. Here's how he put it:
"I believe we're going to be as healthy as we've been all year, which is kind of exciting. You know, to get some guys back that haven't been in there and then we'll see if we can go play our best football."
Will Tom Brady reach the Divisional Round of the 2022 NFL playoffs?
Shannon Sharpe offered a scathing response. Here's what he said:
"The notion that the Buccaneers have struggled because of an injury, that just isn't true. [It's] his way of Tom trying to explain the season away and deflect blame... I'm trying to figure why you're trying to minimize your struggles. We all saw it."
Lastly, he claimed that the quarterback has had it just as hard this year as in 2021:
"You're telling me the center is responsible for four more wins? Brady was sacked 22 times last year [and] 22 times this year. The only difference was last year, 43 touchdowns. This year, he threw 25 touchdowns."
Who will Tom Brady-led Buccaneers face in their first playoff game of 2023?
No. 12 survived the regular season, but the quarterback isn't done. He will face a hungry Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. It will be a moment of things coming full circle for both teams, as both squads played each other in Week 1. However, it will also be the end of the line for one quarterback.
Tom Brady and the Bucs will wear their lucky white jersey & pewter pants combo for Monday night’s wild card game.
Cowboys will wear navy. Dallas has never won a playoff game in their dark navy jerseys. https://t.co/8btFTZGAFL
Dak Prescott didn't finish the first game due to a thumb injury and the team lost by a score of 19-3. With Prescott now healthy, will the second matchup offer a different result? Since his return in Week 7, the team has gone 8-3. In that same span, the Buccaneers QB went 5-6.
Kyle Rudolph became the 98th different player to catch a touchdown from Tom Brady.
Will he come back next season on a new team and reach 100?
https://t.co/QHN4EPoH3e
Despite Brady's claims, the team has a long list of injuries heading into the weekend, according to CBS Sports. Julio Jones, Mike Evans, Kyle Rudolph, and Vita Vea are just some of the players listed as questionable heading into the contest. How many starters will ultimately be able to play in the game?
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit Undisputed and H/T Sportskeeda.