Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward.
The Buccaneers defeated Washington’s football team in fourth place, 31-23 on Saturday night. It was Brady’s 31st playoff victory in his career, but the first Tampa Bay postseason win since 2003.
After the game, Brady reflected on the Wild Card clash.
“It was a tough and tough game,” Brady told reporters after the game, as a team. “Washington struggled a lot. We had opportunities to get away and we just couldn’t do it. He didn’t score enough in the red area, so certainly a lot to improve, but great for getting a win. “
Buccaneers still don’t know who they are going to play with. If the seeded Saints beat the Bears on Sunday, Tampa Bay will travel to New Orleans. If Chicago wins the Saints, however, the Buccaneers will host the Rams and the Bears will travel to Green Bay.
Brady shot for 381 yards with two touchdowns in his first career playoff game wearing something other than the New England Patriots uniform. The 43-year-old has completed 22 of his 40 passes, although those statistics have been affected by a series of takedowns from receivers. Brady’s 381 passing yards were the fourth most in a playoff game.
Despite Tampa Bay’s 502 attack yards, the Buccaneers were a modest 6 out of 14 on the third descent and converted only one of their five red zone opportunities. He showed how much there was to be improved by Tampa Bay, which is even more remarkable seeing how his attack scored 31 points against a good save.
“We hit some big shots, we hit some pieces, but not scoring enough in the red area is probably what bothers us,” Brady told reporters. “I missed a two point play, I had other opportunities to score and I just didn’t take advantage. He moved the ball OK. I think we had a decent amount of yards, but at the end of the day it all comes down to points and we managed to do a better job scoring points. We will work on it next week. “
Washington was the 17th team Brady defeated in the postseason.
Miniature photo via Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports Images