Tom Brady is one reason. Another is the continued growth of a young defense that’s doing its part to help the six-time Super Bowl champion transform the team into a consistent winner.
The Bucs (3-1) haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, a stretch of 12 consecutive seasons that’s the second-longest postseason drought in the NFL.
A three-game winning streak has them in unfamiliar territory — alone atop the NFC South standings, where they’ve finished last much of the past decade-plus.
“Once you get there,” said coach Bruce Arians, noting Brady’s leadership and the team’s growing belief in itself, “you want to stay there.