The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 13-year postseason drought and didn’t win a playoff game in 19 years before this season. Enter quarterback Tom Brady and the Bucs are now one step away from winning the Vince Lombardy trophy.
Brady was the man of the hour on Sunday night as Tampa Bay clinched a Super Bowl appearance with a 31-26 upset win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday night. By doing so, the Bucs became the first team in the NFL to play the title game at home as Super Bowl LV is set to take place at their Raymond James Stadium.
While Brady had some major missteps against the Packers, including three interceptions, he showed up when it mattered the most and produced some big plays that gave the Bucs the edge against favored Green Bay.
Arguably the biggest play came in the dying seconds of the second quarter when Brady connected with Scotty Miller on a 51-yard play to give the Buccaneers a 21-10 lead at the half.
Brady finished the game with 280 yards and three touchdowns while completing 20 out of 36 passes attempted. He will now play in his 10th career Super Bowl while also becoming the oldest player at any position to make an appearance in the title game at the age of 43.
“Tom’s the GOAT. Last year I think we ended 7-9, and now we’re heading to the Super Bowl,” said Miller about his quarterback. “He’s at the helm. He’s our leader. He’s probably the biggest reason we are where we are.”
It would be unfair to give Tom Brady all the credit, as the Buccaneers’ defense also showed up in a huge way. They constantly pressured Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, sacking him five times while also producing two turnovers.
“The resiliency of the crew—the defense gritted their teeth and went out and got [the ball] back for us, and we made some big, big plays,” said Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, who became the second-oldest coach to make it to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LV is scheduled for February 7th and will see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.
