WHAT’S NEXT?
The New Orleans Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the Divisional Round Sunday, Jan. 17 at 6:40 p.m.
GALLERY OF GAME PICTURES:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of the team’s NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrate a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Brown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) scores a touchdown during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (28) is taken down by Washington Football Team middle linebacker Jon Bostic (53) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) breaks away from Washington Football Team free safety Jeremy Reaves (39) as he runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) is hit from behind by Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Football Team on the field during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn (30) jumps over Washington Football Team cornerback Jimmy Moreland (20) as he runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop (3) kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)
FOURTH QUARTER: 31-23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
THIRD QUARTER: 18-16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SECOND QUARTER: 18-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FIRST QUARTER: 9-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Countdown begins for Buccaneers, Washington Wild Card game
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — We’re just over an hour until kickoff for the Buccaneers-Washington Wild Card game.
Washington Football Team’s Alex Smith will not be in uniform Saturday night against Tampa Bay. Taylor Heinicke starts at quarterback against Tom Brady and the Bucs. Smith’s strained right calf didn’t respond to treatment enough for him to even take part in the QB rotation with Heinicke that coach Ron Rivera was contemplating.
The 36-year-old Smith had significantly reduced mobility last weekend in a victory at Philadelphia because of the injury that caused him to miss the previous two games.
Heinicke is making his playoff debut just over a month since Washington signed him to the practice squad. He has just one regular-season start and seven games of experience on his resume.
Brady will be looking to add to his six-time Super Bowl champion legacy playing his 42nd NFL playoff game and first not in a New England Patriots uniform.
The Buccaneers have many advantages, and it’ll likely take Washington’s pass rush getting to Brady early and often to have a chance.
Stick with News Channel 8 for the latest updates on the game.
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