‘This is officially lunacy’: Tom Brady almost pulls off NFL Playoffs miracle

The Buccaneers came awfully close to pulling off a miracle comeback in their NFC divisional playoff contest against the Los Angeles Rams.

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Is there anything Tom Brady can’t do?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came awfully close to pulling off a miracle comeback in their NFC divisional playoff contest against the Los Angeles Rams, but ultimately suffered an agonising 30-27 defeat at Raymond James Stadium.

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The Buccaneers’ hopes of progressing through to the Conference Championships looked dead in the water when the Rams raced to a 27-3 lead.

Brady didn’t complete a pass on his first two drives for the first time in his 47 playoff starts, going 0 for 4.

At one point in the first half, Brady lost his temper, venting his frustration with referee Shawn Hochuli for not calling a roughing-the-passer penalty, which earnt him the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of his career — it cost the Buccaneers 15 yards.

Brady botched several passes, had two turnovers and was sacked three times.

But Tampa Bay kept themselves in the contest as Leonard Fournette secured a crucial touchdown late in the third quarter.

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

With three minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Brady somehow managed to connect with Mike Evans for a 55-yard touchdown.

Soon after, the Buccaneers tied the scores with less than a minute remaining to set up a nailbiting conclusion.

NBC commentator Al Michaels bellowed: “This is officially lunacy.”

He’s done it before — most notably in Super Bowl LII — and NFL fans were fully prepared for the 44-year-old to once again pull of the impossible.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!

📺: #LARvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/kJXJTpNrhb

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 23, 2022

Are you serious!? #NFLPlayoffs

— Nia K. Phillips (@Nia_Official) January 23, 2022

WOWOWOW what a choke job by the Rams #NFLPlayoffs

— Candace Cooper (@CandaceDCooper) January 23, 2022

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!! This is INSANITY!!!!!!!!!! He may never retire !! #LARvsTB#NFLPlayoffs

— Krystle Rich-Bell (@KrystleRich) January 23, 2022

But in the waning seconds, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford hit Cooper Kupp to set up the game-winning field goal by place-kicker Matt Gay.

Brady finished 30 of 54 for 329 yards and one touchdown — his season ends in a cruel, albeit entertaining circumstances.

Asked last month whether it was time to retire, Brady responded: “That’s a good question. I don’t know. I think I’ll have to just, after every year, think about what the situation looks like for me, personally and professionally. Obviously, I love playing; I don’t think my love will go away. I think I’ll be able to do it, it’s just the other things are kind of happening in my life, in regard to family situations. My kids are not getting younger, and I want to make sure that they get what they need, too.”

Brady is under contract for 2022, and Bruce Arians told the Tampa Bay Times this week he would be “shocked” if the seven-time Super Bowl champion didn’t return for another season.

The triumph means the Rams will advance to an NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers next week, where a place in the Super Bowl will be at stake