Tom Brady scores 1st TD in battle vs Drew Brees, cashes in turnover for early lead
In the game that was featuring all field goals at the start, Tom Brady was able to get the game’s first touchdown to put the Buccaneers up 10-6 (temporarily).
On 1st-and-goal inside the five-yard line, Brady found star receiver Mike Evans for the touchdown as he was being covered by Marshon Lattimore:
Brady to Evans gives the Bucs the lead!#GoBucs #NFLPlayoffs
📺: #TBvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/kJOiprK712 pic.twitter.com/iKNyEjQKEM— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2021
Tampa Bay was able to take over deep in Saints territory due to Drew Brees throwing an interception to Sean Murphy-Bunting. It was Brees’ first interception while targeting Michael Thomas since 2018:
The last time Drew Brees was intercepted targeting Michael Thomas was the 2018 NFC Championship.
He threw 149 consecutive passes to Thomas without being picked off.
Brees has 11 interceptions in his last 10 postseason games (2 interceptions in first 8 postseason games) pic.twitter.com/4nHtAfxVAS
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 18, 2021
So far in the game, Brady is just 4-for-11 for 35 yards with that touchdown pass. Evans has that one touchdown catch for three yards through over a quarter and a half.
The lead would be short-lived though as Saints backup quarterback Jameis Winston would throw a touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith on a trick play. Smith has 69 yards receiving on two catches.
You can catch the remainder of the game on FOX.