For the 14th time in his illustrious NFL career, Tom Brady is one Super Bowl victory away.
Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers advanced to the NFC Championship Game on Sunday with a 30-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. Waiting for them is a striking showdown with Aaron Rodgers and the No. 1 Green Bay Packers seed next Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The winner of that game will go to the Super Bowl LV, where they will face the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills. (A Super Bowl that, we should note, will be played at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.)
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s victory, Brady offered some insights into his impending confrontation with Rodgers.
“I am very proud of our team and everything we have invested to get to this point,” said the 43-year-old quarterback in a post-game videoconference. “There are only four teams left. We are one of them. It is difficult to get to this point, so we need a great week of practice.
“We have one of the best teams in the league (below) obviously in Green Bay. They are the seed and Aaron is playing amazingly. They have a great defense, so it will be a great fight ”.
The Buccaneers have not lost since the end of November, winning six consecutive wins after losing five of the first 12 games. They won with the defense on Sunday, forcing four Saints turnovers (including three Drew Brees interceptions) to give their attack a favorable field position.
Tampa Bay’s three touchdowns took place on drives that started on the 40, 20 and 3-yard lines in New Orleans.
Brady, who signed with the Bucs last season after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, completed 18 of 33 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers in the divisional round. He also scored a late touchdown on a QB sneak to seal the victory.
“I am very proud of everyone – the entire organization,” said Brady. “Our coaches worked and worked hard to get to this point and prepare us every day. I just did an incredible job. Guys really come together. It is a truly unique team. We have great chemistry, we have fun in practice and we work hard to get to this point, as do the other three teams.
“It is difficult to get to this point – there is nothing guaranteed from now on – but we have to go up there and we will have to do our best to defeat one of the best teams in the league.”
Brady-Rodgers will be one of the most convincing quarterback fights in championship history. Rodgers will likely earn NFL MVP honors after arguably delivering his best statistical campaign at age 37, but his Packers were eliminated by Brady and the Bucs earlier this season, losing 38-10 in Tampa in Week 6.
Green Bay reached its second consecutive game for the NFC title by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 on Saturday.
Miniature photo via Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports Images