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What was Tom Brady’s biggest foe last Sunday.
Was it the San Diego Chargers defense? The flu? The injured ankle?
How about all of the above.
According to a source close to the team, the New England Patriots quarterback and reigning MVP had a temperature over 100 degrees as well as other flu-like symptoms for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the San Diego Chargers.
Brady appeared to be less emotional and energetic than he has been during recent big games.
But this was not the first time Brady was a little under weather for an AFC Championship game. He had also had a touch of the flu when the Patriots played the Pittsburgh Steelers in January of 2005, at Heinz Field. That day was also very cold, with temperatures hitting minus-1 degrees.
Brady had a good night four years ago while “under the weather,” completing 14 of 21 passes for 207 yards and two scores in the Patriots easy, 41-27, win over of the Steelers.
It was not so easy on Sunday as he apparently caught the same “bug” that hit a few of his teammates, including Patriots left tackle Matt Light.
As for his ankle, which has drawn coverage from the paparazzi who regularly follow his girlfriend, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, there are two occasions when Brady may have had the injury | after an incomplete pass over Randy Moss’ head in the second quarter he appeared to be favoring his ankle or after a third-quarter sack.
On his next pass after the sack, Brady threw a ball in front of receiver Donte Stallworth, who tipped the ball in the air and it was intercepted by Drayton Florence.
Brady threw his third interception on the next series, in the end zone to Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
Anyway, Brady won’t be discussing the matter. But he was not himself this past weekend (3 interceptions) and there are a few reasons why.