Fantasy Flashback: Tom Brady (2007)
Fantasy Flashback is a weekly article that highlights some of the greatest individual seasons, from a fantasy football and NFL perspective.
Last week I highlighted Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison‘s career in Indianapolis.
Today I will highlight Tom Brady‘s 2007 season with the New England Patriots.
Background
Before the 2007 season, the Patriots acquired wide receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss. The two had a huge impact on Brady’s success, combining for 31 of the 50 touchdowns Tom Brady had in 2007.
In Tom Brady’s first six seasons as a starter, he never recorded over 30 passing touchdowns. But in 2007 it took Brady only 8 weeks to throw for 30 touchdowns. Some would stay this is when Brady started to truly dominate the NFL.
The Patriots finished with a record of 16-0 and went on to play the New York Giants in Super Bowl 42. Although they went undefeated all year, the Patriots fell short in the Super Bowl. They lost 17-14. However, this loss does not take away from the remarkable stats Brady was able to record during the regular season.
Stats
Tom Brady’s 2007 Stats (* league leading)
- Comp % – 68.9*
- Passing Yards – 4,806*
- Passing Touchdowns – 50*
- TD % – 8.7*
- Interceptions – 8
Tom Brady finished with a total of 398 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues. He averaged 24.9 points per game.
Brady scored 91 points more than the next highest scoring player, LaDainian Tomlinson, and 103 more points than the next best fantasy quarterback, Tony Romo.
Before the season he was ranked as the 4th best fantasy quarterback by ESPN. The three quarterbacks ranked in front of him were Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, and Drew Brees.
Tom Brady was only projected to throw for 27 touchdowns. He proved the folks at ESPN wrong by throwing for almost double that amount.
His best week in fantasy was in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. Brady threw for 354 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading the Patriots to a 49-28 victory. Brady recorded a season-high 38 points this week.
From Week 6 to Week 8, Brady averaged 37 fantasy points. This is the most by any player during a three-game stretch.
Impact
As a Steelers fan, I have to respect what Tom Brady has been able to accomplish during his career. Every year it’s always a struggle when we play his Patriots.
In 2016, they beat the Steelers twice and both times Tom Brady shredded the Steelers defense. While watching those game you have to admire his greatness. At the age of 39, he is still able to dominate the league.
However, as Steelers fan, I believe it is my duty to root against him and hate him: always. A lot of people in Pittsburgh will never say he is the greatest quarterback of all-time because he cheated. They say his stats will always be skewed. This may be the case but I believe he is still the greatest of all-time (G.O.A.T).
Tom Brady now has five Super Bowl rings and I honestly don’t see him slowing down. During this off-season, the Patriots acquired CB Stephon Gilmore, TE Dwayne Allen, and WR Brandin Cooks. As a fan of the NFL, I am excited to see Cooks and Brady play together but it sucks they are playing on the Patriots.
The good news is, championship aren’t won in the offseason: they’re won by playing the games on the field, and the Steelers are preparing a team to combat the Patriots once again this season.
