Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner, surpassed Drew Brees for the most pass completions in NFL history in the Buccaneers’ “biggest game of the year” against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Just before halftime, Brady threw an off-balance pass to wide receiver Mike Evans for a 20-yard completion at the Buffalo 3-yard line, securing the record. The Buccaneers took a 24-3 lead after a 1-yard Brady touchdown run. At Raymond James Stadium, the record was proclaimed to a standing ovation and clapping from teammates.
Brady needed 18 completions to beat Brees (who held the NFL record with 7,142) and add to his list of career achievements heading into Sunday. He had 31 points in the Bucs’ 33-27 overtime triumph, giving him a total of 7,156 for his career.
Brady broke Brees’ NFL record for career throwing yards earlier this season in an emotional return to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to face the New England Patriots, whom the Bucs upset 19-17. (80,358). He’s also the NFL’s all-time leading passer with 695 touchdown passes.
Brady also tied his personal season high of 21 touchdown passes at home with a 13-yard ball to a leaping Evans, who was also the recipient of Brady’s record-setting pass at New England and his 600th career touchdown pass.
While Brady was able to check this off his bucket list, the Buccaneers will have to wait at least another week to be crowned NFC South champions. On Sunday, they wanted the New Orleans Saints to lose to the New York Jets, as well as the Atlanta Falcons to beat the Carolina Panthers, but the Saints won.