LANDOVER, MD – New team, same successful playoff game for Tom Brady.
Brady throws for 381 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past Washington. 31-23. in their NFC wild card game Saturday night for their first playoff victory since 2002.
In his 42nd post-season start and at first not in a New England Patriots uniform, Brady made the most of a lack of pressure to beat the NFL’s second defense at 22 of 40.
He had to surpass the Taylor Heinicke of Washington, who in his second pro start and first in the playoffs had an outburst performance in place of the injured starter, Alex Smith. Heinicke – who joined the training group in early December – ran for 46 meters and hit and threw for 306 meters and a score.
But that was not enough to overcome Brady’s brilliance.
While Bill Belichick and the Patriots watch from home with their playoff game at 11 after a 7-9 season, Brady has the opportunity to play in another Super Bowl – in his new home stadium.
The Buccaneers await the Chicago result in New Orleans on Sunday to see if they visit Drew Brees and the Saints or host the Los Angeles Rams next weekend. They need a Bears upset to play at home in the division round.
There is not much delay in Brady, who at 43 years and 159 days surpassed George Blanda as the oldest player to throw a TD pass in a playoff game. A 36-yard touchdown with Antonio Brown was Brady’s longest in the playoffs since 2011.
Brady was methodical in the first half with 12 completed points for 209 yards and was only sacked in the last minute of the second quarter.
Heinicke made things interesting in third place, especially after an 8-yard TD by diving on the pillar in the corner of the end zone. The play even got the attention of reigning Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, who tweeted, “Bro what!?!?!”
In the series after Heinicke inflated his left shoulder, Brady designed a 69-meter disc drive, concluded by a 3-yard Leonard Fournette TD run. It made 28-16, which was enough to resist Heinicke’s attempt to be the unlikely hero.