The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going all-in for 2020, not only looking to end their postseason drought — which currently stands at 12-straight seasons — but also get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2002, which just so happens to be the last time they won a playoff game.
The thought of a Super Bowl run may have seemed like a pipe dream for most Bucs fans just a few short months ago, especially after watching the 2019 season end with a Jameis Winston pick-six.
But now that six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is the new sheriff in town, the Bucs look like a legitimate threat to contend next season. Should Brady lead the Bucs to the Super Bowl, he’ll become the first quarterback ever to play the big game in his home stadium, as Super Bowl LV will take place outdoors at Raymond James Stadium next year.
Brady certainly has plenty of Super Bowl experience, having played in nine of them with the New England Patriots, but, out of those nine Super Bowl appearances, only one of them took place outdoors: Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Alltel Stadium, now TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Patriots won that game 24-21, giving Brady his third Super Bowl title. He had a pedestrian performance in that game, at least by Brady standards, going 23-for-33 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time Brady wasn’t named Super Bowl MVP, with that honor going to wide receiver Deion Branch, who finished the game with 11 receptions for 133 yards.
I’m sure Brady would love another crack at playing a Super Bowl outdoors. And, what better way to do that than in his new home of Raymond James Stadium next year?
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