Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians 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/Mike Roemer)
Arians' hiring put struggling Bucs on path to Super Bowl 55

By Fred Goodall Jan. 25, 2021 06:16 PM EST

Workers removed the tarp on Lambeau Field before the NFC championship NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers 1/24/2021

Jan. 24, 2021 12:36 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

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Bills' Diggs among NFL elite receiving company this weekend

By John Wawrow Jan. 22, 2021 02:35 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich 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)
Leftwich helping Brady transform potent Buccaneers offense

By Fred Goodall Jan. 22, 2021 02:27 AM EST

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers waves to spectators 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)
All eyes on QBs as Packers host Bucs for NFC championship

By Steve Megargee Jan. 21, 2021 04:27 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) makes the catch against New Orleans Saints free safety P.J. Williams (26) during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Brady, talented Buccaneers playmakers developing chemistry

By Fred Goodall Jan. 20, 2021 06:40 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne throws a pass during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Mahomes, other QBs in final 4 share affinity for deep throws

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 19, 2021 05:11 PM EST

Buffalo Bills' Taiwan Jones (25) celebrates with Dion Dawkins (73) after an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 17-3. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Still playing: Bills, Bucs risen from Super Bowl droughts

By Barry Wilner Jan. 18, 2021 02:40 AM EST

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, right, runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Brady, Bucs, end playoffs for Saints, Brees, 30-20

By Brett Martel Jan. 17, 2021 10:03 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees waves to his family and fans after an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. The Buccaneers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brady vs Rodgers, possibly Mahomes vs. Allen in title games

By Josh Dubow Jan. 17, 2021 06:49 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees warms up before the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints 1/17/2021

Jan. 17, 2021 05:06 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Alvin Kamara (41) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Saints' Brees sees playoff clash with Brady's Bucs as fate

By Brett Martel Jan. 14, 2021 06:59 PM EST

Brady, Brees bring big numbers into Bucs-Saints playoff tilt

By The Associated Press Jan. 14, 2021 04:02 PM EST
TAMPA BAY (12-5) at NEW ORLEANS (13-4) Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET, Fox OPENING LINE — Saints by 4 RECORD...

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore II during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of champ Chiefs

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 14, 2021 02:52 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)
Bucs excited to have third crack at division rival Saints

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

From l-r., Dale Shaw, Bart Longson, Derick Bowers, Steve Novak, Chad Hill, Bruce Stritesky and Terrence Miles pose for their Officials Portrait before the start of the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Football team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team 1/9/2021

Jan. 09, 2021 08:08 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