The Washington Football Team is in the playoffs despite a negative record. Image: keystone
–
The nameless call for the “GOAT” – it runs on the first NFL playoff weekend
The nameless football team from Washington wrote the best story of the NFL season. At the start of the playoffs, Tampa Bay will face superstar Tom Brady.
WFT – what at first glance looks like an abbreviation for a curse word is in fact the Washington Football Team. Under great pressure and after long resistance, the team from the US capital gave up the name Redskins (redskins) last year, but has not yet found a new one.
The WFT was not particularly successful either: seven wins stand against nine defeats. Because of the quirk of the NFL that every division winner is automatically qualified for the playoffs, Washington will face Tampa Bay at home on Saturday. The Miami Dolphins, however, were eliminated despite 10: 6 victories.
Smith’s miracle comeback
In the playoff duel with Tampa Bay, Washington is a blatant outsider, despite home advantage, but the darling of hearts. This is partly due to coach Ron Rivera, who suffered from skin cancer, but was still on the sidelines in every game. And on the other hand to quarterback Alex Smith. The 36-year-old from Washington State on the other end of the continent is not (anymore) one of the best in his field, but it borders on a miracle that he is still playing – or alive.
Alex Smith is back. Image: keystone
–
In November 2018 he had an open fracture of the tibia and fibula. Bacteria and blood poisoning put Smith’s life in acute danger. In an emergency operation, the doctors saved both his life and his leg. After a total of 17 operations and almost two years without football, the popular and widely respected Smith made an amazing comeback. He stepped in when two Washington quarterbacks were injured and played well enough to surprisingly lead his team into the playoffs.
All eyes on Brady
As a division winner, Washington now even has home rights. The game in the capital, which was the scene of the inglorious storming of the Capitol on Wednesday, should receive special attention. In the NBA, almost all teams have protested in the past few days against the violence perpetrated by Trump supporters and the reluctant police reaction to it. In Washington, many eyes will be on Tom Brady, who has long been considered a supporter of the US president.
The 43-year-old star quarterback and six-time Super Bowl champion will play his 42nd playoff game (30 wins, both NFL records). After moving from the New England Patriots to Florida, he recently showed strong form and has a strong team in Tampa Bay, both offensively and defensively. While there has been no playoff without Brady since 2008, the Buccaneers are back for the first time in 13 years.
Even longer, since 2002, the Cleveland Browns waited for a playoff participation. Whether they will even manage their first win since 1994 against the Pittsburgh Steelers is unquestionable. After a wave of positive Covid-19 cases, Cleveland’s head coach Kevin Stefanski and various regular players are missing.
The NFL playoffs will take place for the first time with 14 (instead of 12) teams. The two best of the conferences, defending champions Kansas City (AFC) and Green Bay (NFC), enjoy a bye in the first round. (pre / sda)
That works on the Wildcard Weekend:
bild: screenshot ran
–
THANK YOU FOR THE ♥
Would you like to support watson and journalism? Learn more
(You will be redirected to complete the payment)
