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NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Tom Brady’s best performance in three games against New Orleans gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers their second ticket to the National Conference title clash and sent home quarterback Drew Brees of the Saints, maybe definitely.
Brady and the Buccaneers offense took advantage of three Saints turnovers, including two interceptions to Brees, with touchdowns, and Tampa Bay defeated New Orleans 30-20 on Sunday in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Two of those touchdowns were on short passes to Mike Evans and Leonard Fournette. And after a pass from Brees was intercepted by linebacker Devin White midway through the fourth quarter, Brady led the Buccaneers to the opponent’s one-yard line, from where he dived into the end zone to practically secure his 14th trip to a game. for the conference championship – his first in the NFC.
That showdown will take place next Sunday in Green Bay, where at 43, Brady will try to advance to his 10th Super Bowl in a duel with the Packers and their All-Pro quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
“We worked very hard to get to this point. Two road wins in the playoffs is very good, ”Brady said. “Now we have to go beat a great team that we know quite well. Aaron is playing amazing. “
Meanwhile, the Brees era in New Orleans could come to an end after 15 seasons.
The game was perhaps the last in the Superdome for Brees, a 42-year-old quarterback who is under contract for another year. He avoided saying that he is contemplating retiring. After changing clothes in the dressing room, he returned to the grating and watched his children play, cuddling with his wife, Brittany.
“I value everything this sport has given me,” said Brees. “There are so many incredible memories.”
If it was his last game in the NFL, it won’t be one to remember. The all-time league leader in completions and passing yards hit 19 of 34 passes for just 134 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Although only 3,750 tickets were distributed to a 73,000-seat Superdome to comply with local authorities’ restrictions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans made their voices heard by exploding when Brees entered the field for New’s first offensive series. Orleans.
Brady finished with 18 completions on 33 attempts for 199 yards in what often looked more like a defensive duel. Unlike his previous two games against the Saints – both losses – Brady did not commit interceptions and managed to evade pressure, suffering only one sack.