LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 09: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls for a two-point conversion after a touchdown during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on January 09, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Buccaneers got their first taste of victory in the playoffs in a long time on Saturday night, sending Tampa Bay fans into rapture.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2007. They hadn’t won a playoff game since 2003.
Then they got Tom Brady and he did what he does: win in the playoffs.
Buccaneers fans were simultaneously pounding their chests and breathing a sigh of relief when it was all over.
Despite Washington’s uncertain quarterback situation, Taylor Heinicke and company put up a huge fight and forced the game to be decided in the waning minutes.
Buccaneers fans had to process their emotions after a rare playoff win
It sure wasn’t a stress-free experience.
Bucs fans understood the meaning of the victory, no matter how it came.
After all, it was the first one in a long time.
Life sure is a lot easier when you’ve got Tom Brady on your side. The quarterback threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns in his first playoff appearance for Tampa Bay.
What’s next for Tampa Bay? They won’t know until the New Orleans Saints take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The result will determine if the next opponent is the Rams or New Orleans.
Whoever they face, the Buccaneers will hope this victory lends them some momentum. Brady was what Tampa Bay will have expected as a guiding hand in the postseason. The offense also got a big performance out of receiver Mike Evans with 119 yards on six receptions. Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown added a touchdown each.
The running game operated just fine without Ronald Jones II, who was injured in the pregame. Leonard Fournette was there to fill the gap with 93 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Defensively, veteran linebacker Lavonte David came to play with nine tackles, a sack, a pass break up and a hit on the QB.