The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the Super Bowl inside their home stadium, but the path to Raymond James Stadium passed through FedEx Field, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Lambeau Field.
The Buccaneers became the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl since the Green Bay Packers in 2010. Tampa Bay clinched the fifth seed in the NFL playoffs after an 11-5 regular season, finishing second in the NFC South to the New Orleans Saints.
That meant Tom Brady and Co. traveled to face the Washington Football Team, who were the No. 4 seed because they won the NFC East despite a 7-9 record. That game was closer than some thought, but Tampa Bay beat out backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke and the Burgundy-and-Gold, 31-23.
Then came the Saints, who had beaten the Buccaneers twice in the regular season. Brady had his revenge, though, securing a meeting with Aaron Rodgers — who led the Packers to that 2010 championship as a wild card team.
Tampa Bay dispatched Green Bay, too, then steamrolled the Kansas City Chiefs for Brady’s seventh ring.
The Buccaneers join a list that also includes the New York Giants in 2007, who as a wild card toppled Brady and the New England Patriots. There’s also the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, Baltimore Ravens in 2000, Denver Broncos in 1997 and then-Oakland Raiders in 1980 as wild card teams to go all the way since the system began in 1970.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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