Sports writing (EFE) .- The stellar quarterback Tom Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns that allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Washington 23-31 as visitors in their National Conference (NFC) game.
Brady criticized his game and the offense’s performance in the red zone, but enjoyed his 31st career postseason victory after playing 42 games.
The 43-year-old veteran quarterback hit 22 of 40 passes for 381 yards with two touchdowns.
Brady had perfect goals on touchdown passes to wide receivers Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown.
In the first game out of the New England Patriots uniform, Brady made the most of the lack of early pressure to build a lead against the NFL’s second defense that held firm.
Brady outplayed Washington’s Taylor Heinicke, who had a great performance in his second professional start and first in the playoffs in place of injured starter Alex Smith.
Heinicke, who signed with the practice team in early December, rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown, threw for 306 yards and a touchdown.
But it was not enough to overcome the brilliance and experience of Brady, who won six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, who were eliminated without him.
While the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick are on vacation, with their playoff streak cut to 11 after a 7-9 losing season, Brady has a chance to play another Super Bowl, at his new stadium, which will be the official headquarters, next February 7.
The Buccaneers await the result of the Chicago Bears against the New Orleans Saints, this Sunday, to know who will be their next opponent in the NFC division series.
If the Saints win, the Buccaneers will have to travel to New Orleans to face another star quarterback, veteran Drew Brees, who will also turn 42 next week.
If the winners are the Bears, then the Los Angeles Rams who gave the surprise by beating the Seattle Seahawks 20-30 away from home will have to travel to Tampa (Florida) to face the Buccaneers.
Brady, at age 43, surpassed George Blanda as the oldest player to throw a TD pass in a playoff game. A 36-yard scoring connection with Brown was Brady’s longest in the playoffs since 2011.
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