The Green Bay Packers won the coin toss prior to the NFC Championship game and deferred, giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the chance to start with the football at Lambeau Field.
They might regret that decision when the game is over.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense went right down the field to cap off a nine-play drive with a touchdown strike from the veteran quarterback to talented wide receiver Mike Evans. The drive included three critical third-down conversions, all of which came at the hands of Brady and the passing game.
On the first third-down conversion, Brady was able to find Evans along the left side of the field on a vertical route, dropping in a perfect touch throw for the long completion:
Brady to Evans!
Bucs on the move early. #NFLPlayoffs #GoBucs
📺: #TBvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/cHuzDq5flQ pic.twitter.com/UyseLGqdEO— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2021
What is notable about this play is that Green Bay brought pressure, trying to blitz to get Brady off the spot. Tampa Bay’s protection held, and Brady was able to drop in a perfect throw to Evans for the conversion.
The second third-down conversion came on a 3rd-and-9, with the Buccaneers flooding the right side of the field as you often see from a Bruce Arians offense. Brady was kept clean in the pocket and found Chris Godwin on an out route to move the chains in the long yardage situation.
The touchdown again came on a third down, with Brady lofting a throw to the back corner of the end zone under which Evans settled:
.@TomBrady to @MikeEvans13_ in the red zone: Automatic. #NFLPlayoffs #GoBucs
📺: #TBvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/cHuzDq5flQ pic.twitter.com/Ao5JvDLpKh— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2021
Once more Evans worked out of the slot, getting vertical in the passing game. Green Bay tried to stunt and bring pressure from the second level, but once more the Tampa Bay offensive line held, and Brady was able to strike.
For Tampa Bay, this could not have been a better start. The Packers defense will need to make some adjustments as this game wears on.
