Tom Brady could join a select club of QBs with win vs. Patriots

There aren’t many accolades and milestones left for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady to collect. However, a win over the Patriots would notch him one more impressive feat.

If Tom Brady returns to New England and gets a win versus Bill Belichick and the Pats on Sunday night, he will have beaten all 32 NFL teams in his career. Only three other quarterbacks have ever done it.

Brady, at age 44, would join Brett Favre, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning in beating all 32 teams. The former Patriot beat the other 31 teams during his 20-year tenure with New England.

Tom Brady has even beaten his current squad four times in his career. He didn’t get a shot to join the elite club in 2020 as the Bucs and Pats never faced off.

“Tompa Bay” versus 1-2 New England kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The 2-1 Bucs are a 5.5-point favorite on the road, according to Vegas Insider.

Belichick credits Brady

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick appreciates Tom Brady even after an awkward split, calling him the best quarterback any coach could ask for. Belichick knows that he wouldn’t have as many rings without the five-time Super Bowl MVP.

“Of course not,” Belichick said when asked if he thinks he would have the same amount of success in New England without having Brady as his quarterback. “We’ve talked about that for two decades. I think I’ve talked about that dozens of times saying there is no quarterback I would rather have than Tom Brady. I still feel that way, I was very lucky to have Tom as the quarterback and to coach him. He was as good as any coach could ever ask for.”

In his 20-year career with the Patriots, Brady threw for 74,571 yards, 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions. Brady also had a successful start to his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, throwing for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns. His 4,633 yards were Brady’s highest total since 2015, and his 40 touchdowns were his most since 2007.

Tampa Bay is coming off of its first loss of the season in Week 4 at the Los Angeles Rams. Sunday will certainly be an emotional matchup for Brady. He’ll be without his star tight end and former New England go-to Rob Gronkowski.

“Bucs’ TE Rob Gronkowski is not making the trip to New England today due to his rib injury and he will be out Sunday night vs. New England, per sources,” tweeted Schefter.

Gronk leads the Bucs in touchdowns with four scores and is third in receiving yards behind Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The latest on his injury indicates he has “four cracked ribs, one broken rib and a punctured lung.”