SALT LAKE CITY — Michael Davis made his first career pick-six a memorable one.
The former BYU cornerback and fourth-year pro, now a starter in the Los Angeles Chargers secondary, returned an interception off Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady 78 yards for a touchdown Sunday in the Buccaneers’ come-from-behind 38-31 win.
With Tampa Bay driving with a chance to break a 7-7 tie with just over four minutes left in the first quarter, Brady dropped back and quickly threw near the sideline to receiver Justin Watson. Davis, however, jumped the route and made the interception, then used his exceptional speed to easily race 78 yards for the score.
“It was a dream come true,” Davis said in a postgame video conference, of intercepting a legend like the six-time Super Bowl champion Brady. “I missed one on Brady two years ago when we played in New England and I finally got mine this year. Now I’ve got a GOAT ball — a GOAT ball from the GOAT.”
The touchdown was part of 24 straight points scored by the Chargers, though Brady rallied the Buccaneers to the win, completing 30 of 46 passes for 369 yards and five touchdowns. After the Chargers took a 31-28 lead on the final play of the third quarter, Brady led the Bucs to 10 points in the final period.
Davis, a former undrafted free agent, has three career interceptions, with the first two coming last season. He started for the Chargers on Sunday and added six tackles, including four solo stops, as well as a pass deflection.
Davis shared frustration for missing the opportunity for Los Angeles to beat Brady and the Bucs after holding a 24-7 first-half lead, but resolve in bouncing back.
“When it comes down to it, we’ve got to come together and play for each other,” Davis said, as the Chargers fell to 1-3 on the year. “We just have to keep fighting.”