Tom Brady was selected in the sixth round (199th overall pick) of the 2000 draft, arguably the biggest draft steal of all time. Brady made his NFL debut in the 2000 season, at the age of 23, but only played a few minutes in the New England Patriots' loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 13.
Tom Brady's first 10 games as an NFL starter came in the 2001 season. After Drew Bledsoe suffered an internal bleeding, Tom Brady became the Patriots' starting quarterback. His first two performances were lackluster, but he gradually warmed up his arm and demonstrated his extraordinary talent.
10 2nd Game: Vs. Miami Dolphins
Tom Brady's performance in this game was truly terrible, among the worst of his career, hands down. Brady completed only 12 of 24 passes, with only 86 passing yards, no touchdown passes and a 58.7 passer rating. To make matters worse, Tom Brady was sacked four times and fumbled the ball a couple of times as well. Obviously, the New England Patriots lost this game against the Miami Dolphins, and the final score was 30-10. After this game, people started to think that perhaps Brady didn’t belong in the NFL.
9 7th Game: Vs. Buffalo Bills
In Week 9 of the season, the New England Patriots hosted the Buffalo Bills. Tom Brady completed 15 of 21 passes for 107 yards, gaining only 5.1 yards per pass attempt. He threw just one touchdown pass, fumbled the ball twice and, worst of all, he was sacked seven times (the most of his career). Despite Tom Brady's forgettable performance, the Pats won the game 21-11, thanks to an absolutely fantastic defense.
8 5th Game: Vs. Denver Broncos
In week seven, the New England Patriots faced off against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High. Tom Brady had a mediocre performance, with 25 passes completed for 203 yards, with a pass completion percentage of 65.79 and 5.34 yards per pass attempt. At least Brady had two touchdown passes, but four of his passes were intercepted, and he had a dismal rating of 57.1. The New England Patriots were defeated 31-20.
7 1st Game: Vs. Indianapolis Colts
Tom Brady's first game as starting quarterback was against the Indianapolis Colts and none other than Peyton Manning. Tom Brady had a lackluster day, completing just 13 of 23 passes, with 168 passing yards, no touchdown passes and a 79.6 passer rating.
At least Brady had 7.3 yards per pass attempt, and at first glance it seemed that he overcame his nerves and made good decisions throughout the game. Once again, the Patriots defense was a key factor in winning the game.
6 8th Game: Vs. St. Louis Rams
On this occasion Tom Brady completed 19 passes for 185 yards, with a 70.37 pass completion percentage, 6.85 yards per pass attempt and a 70.8 rating. It wasn’t a bad performance, but not good either. In the fourth quarter, Brady threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to David Patten to bring the Pats closer, 24-17. Brady tried to lead his team to an epic comeback, but in the end the Rams held the lead. Kurt Warner, on the other hand, did have a fantastic afternoon, with 401 passing yards.
5 10th Game: Vs. New York Jets
Tom Brady's 10th game as starting quarterback was a very good one, as he showed how accurate his arm can be, completing 20 of 28 passes, including a beautiful 46-yard pass. Brady gained 7.61 yards per pass attempt and racked up 213 passing yards in the game, with a 93.3 passer rating. However, Brady was unable to throw touchdown passes, which would have been the icing on the cake. You could say that by this time, Patriots fans knew that Tom Brady was a special talent.
4 3rd Game: Vs. San Diego Chargers
After his first two games as a starter were terrible, Tom Brady finally got to show what he's made of with a solid performance against the San Diego Chargers. TB12 completed 33 passes for 364 yards (season-high), with a pass completion percentage of 61.11, 6.74 yards per pass attempt, two touchdown passes and a 93.4 passer rating. Tom Brady was great and led the New England Patriots to a 29-26 win over the Chargers.
3 6th Game: Vs. Atlanta Falcons
When anyone talks about Tom Brady facing the Atlanta Falcons, it's impossible not to think of that epic comeback in Super Bowl LI, and apparently, Tom Terrific is motivated against the Falcons.
In Brady's sixth game as a starter, he had a 124.4 rating, completing 21 of 31 passes, with 250 passing yards, 8.06 yards gained per pass attempt and three touchdown passes, including a 44-yard pass to Troy Brown. It was a brilliant performance by Brady, who led the Patriots to a 24-10 victory.
2 9th Game: Vs. New Orleans Saints
In this game Tom Brady was absolutely on fire, as he completed 19 passes for 258 yards, with a completion percentage of 73.08, 9.92 yards per pass attempt, four touchdown passes, no interceptions and a fantastic quarterback rating of 143.9. The New Orleans Saints defense simply could not figure out Tom Brady, and therefore could not prevent the New England Patriots' 34-17 victory.
1 4th Game: Vs. Indianapolis Colts
Tom Brady's best performance among his first 10 games as a starter came against the Indianapolis Colts. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning put on an amazing passing clinic, but in the end, it was the 24-year-old who stole the spotlight. Brady completed 16 of 20 passes (80%), including an unbelievable 91-yarder. In addition, Brady threw three touchdown passes, no interceptions, no sacks and no fumbles, and had a 148.3 rating. This was a near perfect performance by Tom Brady, one of the best of his career, and that's saying something.