They did it! They actually did it! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are Super Bowl champions once again. After an eighteen year wait for another playoff victory, Tom Brady has not only returned the Bucs to their winning ways; he guided them to a second Vince Lombardi trophy.
When it was announced that Tom Brady was signing with the Bucs, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a dream at first, but then reality set in. It’s been very hard to be optimistic about the Bucs after so many years of futility, so I kept my expectations low for the season. Well, Tom Brady and the rest of the well assembled team have by far exceeded my expectations and the sweet taste of victory will be savored for a long time.
While the regular season was a bumpy ride, Tom Brady and the Bucs had their first winning season and clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The odds on the Bucs winning the Super Bowl in their own backyard was against them, but they defied the odds and made history by becoming the first NFL team win the Super Bowl in their own stadium. After the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup, the city of Tampa now has two champions to celebrate and the nicknames of Champa Bay and Tompa Bay are flying rampant in the community, and I couldn’t be happier.
The journey to glory had its doubts, with many questioning if Tom Brady could still deliver at his age. Fortunately, Father Time sat the playoffs out as Brady and the Bucs went on their magical run. However, they did get a helping hand from Lady Luck. It began with the Eagles playing not to win against Washington Football Team which meant that Washington would win the NFC East, and not the Giants, who have a good history against Brady in the postseason. Thus, the Bucs’ first playoffs opponents were Washington whose quarterback was starting his first ever NFL game. Next up were the New Orleans Saints with their quarterback Drew Brees who lacked any arm strength. Those factors were significant in those victories.
The NFC title game was in hollowed Lambeau Field against the Packers and the Bucs benefitted from the poor decision making and play calling from the Packers such as their defensive formation on Brady’s 39 yard TD throw to Scott Miller with one second left in the first half. The Packers then botched their attempt to take the lead when Aaron Rogers decided to pass the ball instead of running into the endzone and then Packers coach Matt Lafluer decided to kick a field goal instead of going for it on 4th down. Finally, Lady Luck shined one last time when Chiefs’ offensive line were short two starters and followed that with quarterback Patrick Mahomes picking up an injury early into the Super Bowl, which meant he couldn’t terrorize the Bucs defense with his mobility and scrambling.
So, my Bucs are champions again after they ended the season on a hot streak and followed it up with a superb run in the playoffs. Tom Brady and the main core of the players are coming back for next season so can they repeat? Hopefully lightning will strike twice and the Tampa Bay area fans will enjoy more victory parades from their local teams. Now if only the Rays can join the party and win a World Series.
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