Jamel Dean
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Raymond James Stadium rises in the distance ahead of Super Bowl 55 Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The venue is hosting Sunday's Super Bowl football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2/7/2021

Feb. 06, 2021 03:06 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Green Bay Packers' Allen Lazard during the first half of the NFC championship NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Young Bucs secondary braces for another dose of Tyreek Hill

By Fred Goodall Feb. 04, 2021 06:41 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) holds the championship trophy after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Defense could be decisive in Super Bowl of dynamic offenses

By Barry Wilner Jan. 29, 2021 03:33 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White, right, intercepts a pass in front of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
NFC Matchups: Where else to start but Brady and Rodgers?

By Barry Wilner Jan. 22, 2021 01:30 PM EST

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, file photo. Rodgers had his worst game of the season in Green Bay’s 38-10 loss at Tampa Bay Back on Oct. 18, as he threw two game-changing interceptions and completed less than half his pass attempts. Rodgers gets a chance to make amends for that performance Sunday when the top-seeded Packers host the Bucs in the NFC championship game. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Packers realize how much Rodgers has at stake this weekend

By Steve Megargee Jan. 20, 2021 08:20 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Top cornerbacks standing out on NFL's Super Bowl hopefuls

By Greg Beacham Jan. 15, 2021 04:36 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 01:26 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14

By Fred Goodall Dec. 13, 2020 04:30 PM EST

Trainers check New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) after an injury during the second half of NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Colts have left tackle Castonzo, LB Okereke vs. Raiders

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 12:23 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts as he walks to the bench after throwing an interception to Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Buccaneers welcome bye to rest up for season-ending stretch

By Fred Goodall Nov. 30, 2020 07:35 PM EST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hinton promoted with all 4 Denver QBs out

By The Associated Press Nov. 29, 2020 12:29 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Samson Ebukam (50) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Bucs puzzled by inconsistency against playoff contenders

By Fred Goodall Nov. 24, 2020 06:57 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (17) runs after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Goff throws for 376 yards, 3 TDs in Rams' 27-24 win vs Bucs

By Fred Goodall Nov. 23, 2020 11:47 PM EST

Fans sit in the stands before the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte , N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers 11/15/2020

Nov. 15, 2020 11:26 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11/8/2020

Nov. 08, 2020 08:10 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants 11/2/2020

Nov. 02, 2020 08:28 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Las Vegas Raiders 10/25/2020

Oct. 25, 2020 03:56 PM EDT

Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) kneels on the field as Tennessee Titans players celebrate after the Titans won 42-36 in overtime at an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
NFL Today, Week 6

By The Associated Press Oct. 18, 2020 09:39 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) scores a touchdown in front of Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Brady outplays Rodgers, Buccaneers rout Packers 38-10

By Fred Goodall Oct. 18, 2020 07:53 PM EDT