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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 Bold predictions vs. Packers in NFC Championship

By Bob Blackwood

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 17: Mike Edwards #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after intercepting a pass thrown by Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 17: Mike Edwards #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after intercepting a pass thrown by Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

4. Tom Brady will be solid but unspectacular

Tom Brady may be the best winner in the history of professional sports. This is not hyperbole, it is just fact. In playing in his 14th conference title game, he has played in more than most franchises in the NFL. All of this for a sport that is in an era where dynasties are nearly impossible to build.

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Brady was not great on Sunday against the Saints, but he was not bad either. He took the plays the Saints gave him and took advantage when he could. Brady only had 199 yards passing, but he did not force any plays which kept him free of turnovers. He was the opposite of what the team had with Jameis Winston last season.

In the postseason, the Buccaneers have been less about deep shots down the field. They have put a premium on keeping Brady protected in the pocket. The results have been great with the team having two playoff wins.

Brady has been more than just a game manager. He did take deep shots in the second half of the game against New Orleans. This was once the Saints started to creep up more to stop the run. Before this, the Saints were playing deep to take away the deep play. Brady stayed patient and waited for the right moment.

I would expect Green Bay to play the Buccaneers in a similar way. They will probably look to take away big plays as they have all season. Brady has made a career of being able to dink and dunk down the field if that’s what you give him. In the playoffs, the Buccaneers have been patient with playcalling and allowing Brady to make the right decisions. Sunday will be more of the same. This will lead to a solid day, but the stats will not jump off of the page.

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