Just under 24 hours away from the oldest quarterback matchup in NFL Playoff history, both the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to advance to the NFC Conference Championship game. Regardless of who takes home the win tomorrow night,(5:40 CT) either team will have to make a trip to Lambeau to face the number one seeded Green Bay Packers, who handled the L.A. Rams in the early Saturday game, 32–18.
Brady is looking to finally best the Saints this year after getting swept by a division rival for the first time in his 20 year career. In Week 1, Tampa Bay opened their season 0–1 after traveling to New Orleans, and getting beat 34–23. 56 days later, New Orleans made the trip to Tampa Bay, demolishing the Buccaneers, 38–3. Tampa Bay is looking to ride their momentum off of last week’s playoff win in Washington, taking care of the Football Team, 31–23.
Brees, however, is looking to make his 2nd NFC Conference Championship Game in three years. After nearly a decade filled with playoff heartbreak, New Orleans is eager to finally earn their second trip to the Super Bowl. Last week, they took care of business in the Superdome against an 8–8 Chicago Bears team, 21–9. Before last week, New Orleans had never defeated the Bears in post-season history.
Statistically speaking, this is New Orleans’ game to lose. In eight road playoff games, Tom Brady has went 4–4, throwing for 10 interceptions, and 9 touchdowns. In the Brees/Payton era in New Orleans, the Saints have a combined 7–2 playoff record in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In points per game, New Orleans ranks 5th in the NFL, while in points allowed, they rank 5th as well. Tampa follows suit with impressive numbers as well, ranking 3rd in points scored per game, and then coming in at 8th in points allowed per game.
Despite any stat line, previous games, superstitions, etc., tomorrow’s game is for all the marbles in the NFC playoff race. It’s win, or go home. Both teams are heating up at the right time, creating a very tense atmosphere for fans, players, coaches alike. The rivalry continues on for the 3rd time in just 19 weeks. Will it be Brees, and the balanced Saints earning a trip to Lambeau? Will Brady and his arsenal of weapons be too much to handle for the New Orleans’ defense? We’re in for a slugfest, and I can not wait.
