TAMPA, Fla.
Quarterback breakdown: Brady completed 30 of 46 passes for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with Gronkowski hauling in seven catches on eight targets for 71 yards in his first real action since suffering cracked ribs and a punctured lung at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.
Said Gronkowski: “It was just a joy to be back out there with the guys.
Brady’s first touchdown came off play-action to an in-motion Chris Godwin, who slipped by two defenders for a 13-yard score.
His one interception came on a swing pass that bounced out of Evans’ hands and into the hands of cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
Promising trend: After surrendering a winning 19-play drive at Washington, the Bucs’ defense gave up one third-down conversion to Giants quarterback Daniel Jones & Co., and it came on the opening drive.
In the third quarter, defensive lineman Steve McLendon, who, along with Rakeem Nunez-Roches, stepped in to help offset the loss of Vita Vea, intercepted a short pass from Jones intended for Chris Myarick, at 35 becoming the second-oldest player in NFL history to record his first NFL interception.
In the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, dropping to 5-5.
In terms of overall standings, which matter for seeding and home-field advantage, the Green Bay Packers lost to the Minnesota Vikings to drop to 8-3.