The championship defense is back in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers battled through injuries during the regular season but got key defenders back for the postseason. Todd Bowles' unit showed it's still dominant in Sunday's 31-15 win over the Eagles.

As we head into the 2021 NFL playoffs, who is poised to emerge in this searing tournament spotlight? Bucky Brooks identifies one X-factor for each of the 14 postseason teams.

One day after Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett was removed from the COVID list, LB Lavonte David and RBs Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard were designated to return from injured reserve. Also, the latest NFL roster and injury news from Wednesday.

The eight finalists for the 2021Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award have been named, the NFL announced on Thursday. 

Leonard Fournette is officially done for the rest of the regular season.

The Buccaneers on Thursday placed their starting running back, as well as linebacker Lavonte David, on IR. The two will miss at least three games but will be eligible to return for the start of the playoffs.

Rob Gronkowski has been ruled out of Tampa Bay's Week 6 game against Philadelphia due to a rib injury suffered in Week 3. The team announced the decision on Gronkowski's status following Wednesday's practice ahead of the Buccaneers' Thursday night contest versus the Eagles.

Can the Seahawks survive a month without Russell Wilson? Will the Dolphins overcome sloppy defensive play? Judy Battista identifies seven teams at risk of falling apart due to injuries and weaknesses.

Stopping today's high-octane offenses is a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Adam Schein projects the top nine NFL defenses in 2021. Who claims the No. 1 spot? Which stout units just missed the cut?

Editors Ali Bhanpuri and Tom Blair assess the 30 best players over the age of 30 heading into the 2021 NFL season. How high did Tom Brady climb from last year's list? Is anyone above Aaron Rodgers?

It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2021 NFL season. 

Fred Warner and Darius Leonard just signed massive contract extensions, but neither player is No. 1 on Willie McGinest's list of top 10 off-ball linebackers. See who gets that honor.

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks takes a look at what's on the line for Giants QB Daniel Jones in 2021. Plus, who are the top five Batman & Robin-like duos in the NFL? And what shrewd move are the Cowboys making when it comes to utilizing CeeDee Lamb?

Tampa Bay returns all 22 starters from its Super Bowl-winning season, but Marc Ross says a different team currently boasts the most complete group in the NFL. Check out the top five rosters entering the 2021 season.

What is the best possible team money could buy in 2021? NFL Media researcher Anthony Holzman-Escareno builds the ultimate 53-man roster while remaining under this year's $182.5 million salary cap.

The New England Patriots went on a spending spree in free agency this offseason, signing a plethora of new talent. However, the Pats aren't Jim Trotter's free agency winners. That honor belongs to two teams who've taken care of their own.

NFL free agency is off and running, with a flurry of activity to open up the new league year. So far, which teams have made the biggest moves -- and non-moves? Marc Sessler provides his unique analysis.

The Patriots and Buccaneers were both active on Day 1 of the NFL's legal tampering period but took very different approaches. Gregg Rosenthal identifies their paths along with the biggest takeaways from Monday's moves.

The Buccaneers and linebacker Lavonte David have agreed on a two-year extension worth $25 million, Ian Rapoport reports. The deal includes three voidable years to reduce David's cap hit in 2021, per Mike Garafolo.

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks reveals the one decision Russell Wilson must make at this stage of his career and prioritizes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' long list of free agents. 

As we enter prime roster-reconstruction season across the NFL, Adam Schein identifies nine pending free agents who simply CANNOT be allowed to walk out the door.

After winning Super Bowl LV, the next task for Tampa Bay Buccaneers brass is to retain much of the talent that helped lift a Lombardi Trophy to make a run at a repeat.

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks breaks down Tampa's blueprint for stopping K.C. and explains why teams should be cautious about chasing Carson Wentz.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters Monday -- the day after Kansas City's humbling loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV -- that he and his team need to find ways to be more efficient next season.

The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers face a number of roster questions heading into the offseason, but head coach Bruce Arians is confident Tampa Bay will return the majority of this year's title team.

Jim Trotter examines the dominant performance of Todd Bowles' Buccaneers defense, which completely stifled the mighty Kansas City Chiefs offense in Super Bowl LV. 

See the highest graded players according to Pro Football Focus from Week 15 of the NFL season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David's punch hands the ball back to the Bucs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David stops New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara on fourth down.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero lists which Tampa Bay Buccaneers players will miss Week 7.

Watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers best plays though the first four weeks of the 2021 season.

Here are 3 matchups to watch when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 of the 2021 season.

NFL Media's Cynthia Frelund reveals her All-Analytics Team defense entering the 2021 season, based on projected Win Shares.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has been voted as the No. 43 player in the NFL on the "Top 100 Players of 2021" rankings.

Watch the full highlights of the 2021 preseason Week 1 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tamp Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David rips ball from Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine for early takeaway.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David reveals personal goal for 2021 season.

NFL Network's Terrell Davis shares his top five linebackers entering the 2021 NFL season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David previews Bucs' opener vs. the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

NFC South Roster Reset: NFL Network's James Palmer breaks down the biggest offseason changes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David joins "Free Agency Frenzy" to discuss his return to the Tampa Bay for the 2021 season.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports linebacker Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers agree to two-year deal.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo: "There is still a good chance" Lavonte David returns to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports on Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte David's future with the team in free agency.

Which Tampa Bay Buccaneers free agents are most likely to leave this offseason? NFL Network's James Palmer weighs in.

Watch the best plays by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense from the 2020 NFL regular season and 2020 playoffs.

Watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlights from Super Bowl LV.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte Davis answers media questions ahead of his team's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

NFL Network's DeAngelo Hall's Top 5 impactful players of Super Bowl LV.

Listen to the best mic'd up sound from Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFC Championship to move on the Super Bowl LV.

NFL Network's DeAngelo Hall says Tampa Bay Buccaneers have NFL's top ILB duo in Lavonte David, Devin White.