NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 17: Sean Murphy-Bunting #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arm Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints as he runs with the ball after intercepting a pass thrown by Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Michael Thomas capped off an already tough 2020 season with an awful showing against the Bucs.
2020 was a brutal season for New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas. So maybe it was fitting he ended it with a zero-catch performance in the team’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thomas dealt with injuries and a fight in practice that saw him appear in only seven regular season games after a record-setting year in 2019. His season ended, as did Drew Brees’ career, on a day when the star receiver had zero catches on four targets. That had fans on social media dragging him following the game.
Thomas ends his season in terrible fashion
The entire Saints offense struggled Sunday as it was clear to see Brees was a shell of his former self. He tossed three interceptions and just lacked velocity on his throws. But Thomas has been there since 2016 to be a reliable target and get nice chunk plays. Him being ineffective doomed Brees and the Saints.
2020 was the first time Thomas failed to eclipse the 1,100-yard mark and also marked the first time he has had zero touchdowns in a season. He is going to want to move on fast and forget the year ever happened.
Sunday’s loss was a brutal way for the Saints to end their season given the fact Brees had to go out like this, given he sticks with his decision to retire. Now the Saints are left with a decision at quarterback and have to wonder if this year was just an anomaly for someone like Thomas.
Thomas is getting dragged and deservedly so as an era appears to be over in New Orleans.