Ex-NFL star predicts Tom Brady will ‘thrash' his 2007 stats in 2020 season

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Expectations for Tom Brady are all over the map.

There are plenty of fans and football experts who don't think the 42-year-old veteran will be an elite NFL quarterback in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They point to his disappointing 2019 season with the New England Patriots, his age, his lack of chemistry with his new teammates, and other reasons for low expectations.

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Others are very excited about Brady's potential in Tampa Bay, and perhaps no one is more optimistic regarding his chances for success than former running back Maurice Jones-Drew. 

The ex-Jacksonville Jaguars star was on NFL Network show "Good Morning Football" earlier this week and gave his prediction for Brady's upcoming campaign in Tampa Bay.

“He’s gonna thrash 2007,” Jones-Drew said. “I think he’s going to throw 55 touchdowns, 4,500 yards passing, probably closer to 5,000. The Bucs are going to be one of the toughest teams to stop because their defense causes turnovers and will get him more opportunities.”

Jones-Drew further explained his reasoning later in the show.

“Let me tell you why I said 55 touchdowns," Jones-Drew said. "Jameis Winston joined the 30-30 club. Let’s just cut that in half, right? So now it’s 45 (touchdowns), 15 (interceptions). You’re telling me Tom Brady can’t throw 10 extra touchdowns? Bruce Arians, Byron Leftwich, they’re going to air this thing out. That is, like, on the low end for me. That’s actually pretty conservative. He may end up going for 60 (touchdowns), but I’m going to stay with 55 for right now."

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Brady was the first player to throw 50 touchdown passes in a season when he accomplished the feat with the New England Patriots in 2007 -- the same year his Pats teammate Randy Moss set the single-season record for touchdown receptions with 23. Peyton Manning broke Brady's touchdown pass record by tossing 55 scores for the Denver Broncos in 2013, and that mark still stands today.

Could the six-time Super Bowl champion hit the 50 touchdown mark again next season? It's unlikely, but possible.

The Bucs should have a terrifyingly good offense, one that features two of the best wide receivers in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The team's tight end depth also is fantastic, including O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate and Rob Gronkowski. Tampa Bay's offensive line is a solid group, too, and head coach Bruce Arians is a terrific offensive mind. 

It's going to be difficult to predict what will happen in the 2020 season given the COVID-19 pandemic. But if the Bucs are able to stay healthy and develop a good chemistry fairly quickly, it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brady and the Tampa Bay offense post incredible stats.

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