Washington Football Team rookie defensive end Chase Young said all week, “Tom Brady, I’m coming!” and “I want Tom!” But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, who played in his 42nd postseason game and first with the Bucs at the age of 43, didn’t take the ace of first overall pick in last year’s draft and answered with a smile. .
But instead of defeating the six-time Super Bowl winner, Young finished Saturday night’s NFC wildcard game without sacks and congratulated Brady on the Bucs’ victory 31-23.
Brady led the Bucs to their first playoff appearance since 2007 and their first playoff win since winning the Super Bowl XXXVII in the 2002 season.
Against Washington’s acclaimed defense, which collected 47.0 sacks in the regular season, Brady completed 22 of 40 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns. And he did without running back Ronald Jones, who sustained a quadriceps injury during warm-up, and without judge Alex Cappa, who left the game with an ankle injury.
On his first touchdown, Brady measured Jeremy Reaves and found Antonio Brown for a touchdown from 36 yards. He then completed a pass with Chris Godwin before crossing the field for a 27 meter touchdown.
Victory was not easy. Washington backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who replaced Alex Smith, was able to make some big plays when the Bucs got up front and the game turned into an awkward close play. Bucs coach Bruce Arians hinted that his players may be too relaxed knowing they were up against a substitute.
The next opponent of the Bucs will be decided on Sunday, but it will be a rematch with a team they have already seen this season.
With the LA Rams beating the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, 30-20, the Bucs would host the Rams at home next week if the Chicago Bears beat the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs lost to Rams 27-24 in week 11.
If the Bears lose to the Saints, the Bucs would face the visiting Saints. The Bucs were swept by the Saints this season and have been 0-4 against New Orleans ever since Bruce Arians became head coach in 2019.