LANDOVER, Maryland, USA (AP) – New team, same postseason success for Tom Brady.
The star threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-23 victory over Washington on Saturday night in the wild-card round of the National Conference.
Tampa Bay had not won a playoff game since 2002.
In his 42nd postseason kickoff game, but out of the New England Patriots uniform, Brady didn’t look pressured, completing 22 of 40 shipments against the NFL’s second-best defense.
He outplayed Taylor Heinicke, who had an outstanding performance in what was just his second professional start game and his first in the playoffs replacing starting quarterback Alex Smith.
Heinicke, hired in early December as a member of the practice team, rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, he gained 306 yards and completed a touchdown delivery.
None of that was enough against Brady’s brilliance.
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