Week 16 follows Sunday with three matches on Sky Sports NFL: Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh from 6pm, followed by LA Rams @ Seattle (9.25pm) and Tennessee @ Green Bay (1.20m)
The Associated Press
Last Updated: 26/12/20 10:26 pm
Tom Brady needed just half a half to set personal records and license as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a place in the NFL playoffs
Tampa Bay earned a place in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2007 with a 47-7 victory inspired by Tom Brady over the Detroit Lions.
Brady threw four passes in the first half – the only half he had to play – as the Bucs (10-5) set a franchise record with 588 yards and grabbed the second-longest postseason draw at the NFL behind Cleveland’s 18-year run – which the Browns can finish on Sunday.
With a 34-0 lead at half-time, the largest half-time lead in the franchise’s history, the Bucs stopped Brady as Blaine Gabbert played out the rest of the tournament, throwing a 25-ball pass. -slat to Rob Gronkowski on his first snap – one play after Detroit ran back D’Andre Swift went down – and a 22-yard pass to Mike Evans later in the third quarter.
Brady was 22-of-27 for 348 yards with a combination of deep passes down the field and darts in traffic. The six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback threw a pass to Gronkowski, Evans, Chris Godwin, who made a one-handed grip, and Antonio Brown from 33, 27, seven and 12 yards.
- Buccaneers passing: Tom Brady, 22/27, 348 yards, 4 TDs
- Rush Head: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, 15 carries, 62 yards
- Head receiving: Mike Evans, 10 catches, 181 yards, 2 TDs
Brady teamed up with Mike Evans for two rub groups on a special day for the Buccaneers
Brady, 43, started his 298th game to tie Brett Favre’s record for NFL quarterback.
Detroit was nothing like the Buccaneers.
The Lions (5-10) started the game without interim coach Darrell Bevell and several assistants on the defenders due to a Covid-19 contact discovery.
They also played much of the game without quarterback Matthew Stafford. He had been reluctant to play with hip and thumb injuries and then injured his right finger on the opening track and did not return.
Chase Daniel struggled instead to move the ball a lot for the Lions, who avoided shutting out for the second time this season in the third quarter when Jamal Agnew returned a 74-yard touchdown for a boat. -sails.
He was replaced by David Blough in the fourth quarter, who started five games for the Lions last season in his rookie year.
On record day, Brady ‘s four touchdown appearances mean he has now thrown a 36-vote cast in his first season with the Bucs. He also set a personal record with 348 yards passing before halftime.
Brady and Gabbert came together to throw the Bucs record six touchdowns as Tampa Bay set team records in points (34) and yards (410) in the first half while wide receiver Evans, who had 10 catches for 181 yards, twice for her team record with 13 receiving touchdowns in one season.
Rob Gronkowski scored two of the Buccaneers ’six touchdowns in Detroit
Tampa Bay were outscored 59-7 in the opening quarter of the last six games and looked like they would start slowly again when Brady was sent off. third down of the opening driver.
- Lions passing: Chase Daniel, 13/18, 86 yards
- Rush Head: D’Andre Swift, 10 carries, 45 yards
- Head gets: Danny Amendola, five catches, 37 yards
The next thing – This is the last week of the regular season and Tampa Bay will be looking to keep their momentum going as they travel to Atlanta NFC South rivals during Detroit ‘s disappointing season. finish at home for their Northern NFC rivals Minnesota who have also gone out on the postseason.
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