By Jordan Long
The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the Oakland Raiders this Sunday in Mexico City, Mexico. New England is looking to improve on their record of 7-2. The reason they have such an impressive record is quarterback Tom Brady. He is having one of the best seasons in recent memory at age 40. Not many quarterbacks have played at this high of a level at that age.
In 2009, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre was with the Minnesota Vikings at the same age. He led the Minnesota Vikings to a 12-4 record. During that season Favre threw for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns. He was able to hold onto the football with 7 interceptions thrown. His team couldn’t protect him with 34 sacks. Unfortunately the Vikings didn’t move onto the Super Bowl. They lost to the New Orleans Saints 31-28 in the NFC Championship game.
In 1996, another Hall of Famer Warren Moon played the NFL game at age 40. He was in a Minnesota Vikings’ uniform. He appeared in 8 games until he was hurt. His record was 4-4. Moon tossed for 1,610 yards, 7 touchdowns but had 9 interceptions. Moon was sacked 19 times. The Vikings went 5-3 in his absence, making the playoffs as the Wild Card team but lost to the Dallas Cowboys 40-15.
Tom Brady on the other hand, is playing better football than both Favre and Moon this season. He has 2,807 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Brady is able to find his open receivers and is not forcing the ball into double coverage. He is reading the defense and putting the Patriots into the best play to gain yards. Brady has amazingly only 2 interceptions thrown so far this season but the offensive line is not doing their job at protecting him. He has been hit 47 times with 22 sacks.
This is one of the top seasons for Brady in his career. He is not looking like a 40 year-old quarterback. Brady should be able to surpass 4,000 passing yards as long as stays healthy. He will also add 30 plus touchdowns. It will be enough for the New England Patriots to secure at least a playoff bye week. When the playoffs roll around, who knows what will happen. Brady is one of the best quarterbacks still in the game. Father Time has not caught up to him yet.
What do you think of Tom Brady’s season at age 40 to this point?
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