NFL playoffs: Tom Brady leads Buccaneers to NFC title game, Patrick Mahomes hurt in Chiefs win

Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns and ran for another Sunday to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over New Orleans in the NFL playoffs, while defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City withstood Patrick Mahomes suffering a concussion to oust Cleveland.

Six-time Super Bowl champion Brady, and a defensive unit that forced four turnovers, sparked the visiting Bucs over the Drew Brees-led Saints while Mahomes threw for one touchdown and ran for another before exiting in the third quarter of the Chiefs' 22-17 triumph.

"The defense was the key to the game. It was huge," Brady said. "Our defense really balled out, got the turnovers we needed."

Both winners advanced to within one game of next month's Super Bowl in Tampa, the Buccaneers booking a date next Sunday at Green Bay in the NFC Championship game, while the Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills in next Sunday's AFC Championship game.

In his first Bucs season after 20 years in New England, 43-year-old Brady beat 42-year-old Brees in a duel of the all-time NFL passing yardage leaders.

That earned a showdown with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who lost 38-10 to Tampa Bay in October.

"It's great for our team. We worked hard to get to this point," Brady said. "We're going to be playing a great football team. Aaron Rodgers is playing incredible."

Mahomes, last year's Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, completed 21-of-30 passes for 255 yards but suffered a concussion when slammed to the turf by Browns linebacker Mack Wilson.

"When any of our teammates go down, we all step up for one another," Chiefs receiver Tyrann Mathieu said.

Mahomes must complete NFL concussion protocols before he can return to face the Bills, who lost to the Chiefs 26-17 in October.

"He's actually doing very well. He's feeling pretty good," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "He got hit in the back of the head and kind of knocked the wind out of him and everything else with it.

"He's doing great right now ... we'll see where it goes from here."

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes kneels on the field after getting injured. AP

At New Orleans, Brady drove the Bucs 61 yards in 11 plays over 5:52 to set up Ryan Succop's 36-yard field goal and put Tampa Bay ahead 23-20 early in the fourth quarter.

Devin White, who already had a fumble recovery, intercepted Brees on the Saints' next series to set up Brady's 1-yard touchdown run with 4:57 remaining to produce the final margin.

Mike Edwards intercepted Brees for a fourth Bucs takeaway with 4:17 left and Tampa Bay ran out the clock.

Brady completed 18-of-33 passes for 199 yards while Brees, who led New Orleans to a 2010 Super Bowl victory, completed 19-of-34 for 134 yards in what could be his NFL farewell.

"He's an incredible player," Brady said.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees speaks with Tom Brady after the game. AP

Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 23 and 42 yards to put the Saints ahead, but the Bucs took a 10-6 lead on Succop's 26-yard field goal and a 3-yard touchdown pass by Brady to Mike Evans.

New Orleans answered with a trick play 56-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston to Tre'Quan Smith but Succop's 37-yard field goal ending the second quarter pulled Tampa Bay level at 13-13.

Smith caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Brees 5:17 into the third quarter for a 20-13 Saints lead.

White recovered a fumble by Jared Cook to set up Brady's 6-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Fournette -- his 77th career playoff TD toss -- to equalize at 20-20, setting up the final drama.

'HenneThingIsPossible'

At Kansas City, Baker Mayfield flipped a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry to lift Cleveland within 19-10 early in the third quarter.

On Kansas City's next possession, Mahomes was slammed down by Wilson and knocked out of the game.

Chad Henne replaced the injured Patrick Mahomes to help Kansas City to victory. AP

"I pray you back next week," Wilson tweeted after the game. "Go be great like you have been." In reply, Mahommes tweeted: "All good brother!"

The Chiefs added a 33-yard Harrison Butker field goal but Cleveland marched 75 yards on 18 plays in 8:17 and pulled within the final margin on Kareem Hunt's 3-yard touchdown run.

After a Karl Joseph interception ended a Chiefs drive, Kansas City forced a Cleveland punt and the Chiefs ran out the clock, thanks to a 13-yard run by reserve quarterback Chad Henne and his 5-yard pass to Tyreek Hill for a fourth-down conversion.

"HenneThingIsPossible," Mahomes tweeted after the victory.

"I'm proud of Chad and the way he handled everything," Reid said.

Mahomes opened the scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce for a 13-3 Chiefs' lead. Butker field goals of 28 and 50 yards brought a 19-3 halftime lead.

"We hurt ourselves in the first half and they capitalised," Mayfield said. "We gave it our all. It's just unfortunate to come up short. It sucks."

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

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Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer