Alex Smith
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Rams 32-18 to advance to the NFC championship game. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
3 title game quarterbacks have similar draft history

By Josh Dubow Jan. 20, 2021 02:34 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 14, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Jan. 14 1943 — Montreal’s Alex Smart scores three goals in his first NHL game and leads the Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrate a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Bucs excited to have third crack at division rival Saints

By Fred Goodall Jan. 11, 2021 04:44 PM EST

Washington Football Team's Antonio Gibson rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Washington goes from 'Why not us?' to 'Who's the QB?'

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 11, 2021 04:18 PM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) his chased down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Heinicke impresses, but Washington comes up short vs. Bucs

By Howard Fendrich Jan. 10, 2021 12:42 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrate a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Brady outduels Heinicke, leads Buccaneers past Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 09, 2021 11:42 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates after the Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
NFL Today, Wild-Card Weekend

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2021 08:58 PM EST

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. The 36-year-old’s journey back from a broken leg and 17 surgeries was a long one, but the difference with him at quarterback has been simple: Smith doesn’t make major mistakes, manages the game and is the cool hand coach Ron Rivera wanted in control of his young team. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)
Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 09, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrate his touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games

By Barry Wilner Jan. 09, 2021 05:22 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Darious Williams (31) looks back as he scores on an interception from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Latest: Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Brady, Bucs

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2021 12:42 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during an NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers play the Washington Football Team in a playoff game Saturday night. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
David-Goliath: Rivera eyes 2nd W with sub-.500 playoff team

By Howard Fendrich Jan. 08, 2021 11:16 AM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown as Houston Texans' Jacob Martin (54) chases during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston. The Titans play the Baltimore Ravens in a wild-card playoff game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Bucs and Browns reach territory Tom Brady visits annually

By Barry Wilner Jan. 08, 2021 10:51 AM EST

Chicago Bears' Mitchell Trubisky thorws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 07, 2021 07:15 PM EST

Tom Brady's 11-5 Bucs at Alex Smith's 7-9 Washington in NFC

By The Associated Press Jan. 07, 2021 01:53 PM EST
TAMPA BAY (11-5) at WASHINGTON (7-9) Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC OPENING LINE — Buccaneers by 6 1/2 ...

FILE - At left is a 2020 file photo showing Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young. At right is a 2021 file photo showing Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Tom Brady plays his first NFL playoff game not in a New England Patriots uniform when he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit defensive rookie of the year frontrunner Chase Young and NFC East champion Washington in the wild card round. Young said after clinching a spot that he wanted Brady, and now he’ll get that chance. (AP Photo/File)
Brady vs. Young showdown highlights Buccaneers at Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 07, 2021 01:35 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 07, 2021 09:35 AM EST
Jan. 13 1962 — Wilt Chamberlain scores an NBA regulation-game record 73 points to lead the Philadelphia Warriors to a 135-117 triumph over...

Fedex Field scoreboard displays the Washington Football Team name during warmups before the start of a NFL football game between Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Landover, Md. Washington has dumped its 86-year-old team name, handed over an investigation into workplace misconduct to the NFL, seen minority owners and Dan Snyder battle it out in court, coach Ron Rivera battle a form of skin cancer and reached the playoffs on the arm of a quarterback who hadn't played in two years because of an injury that looked career-threatening. All in a few months' work for arguably the biggest soap opera in professional sports with a playoff game against Tom Brady up next. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Washington in playoffs after tumultuous, whirlwind months

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 06, 2021 06:57 PM EST

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 05, 2021 03:57 PM EST

Washington Football Team's Kamren Curl (31) reacts with Jon Bostic (53) after intercepting a Philadelphia Eagles' pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Chase Young-led defense won NFC East for Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2021 04:08 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
NFL playoff field: powerhouses, pretenders and a 7-9 team

By Barry Wilner Jan. 04, 2021 02:49 AM EST