I’m not sure there’s ever been an NFL season quite as weird as the one we’re wrapping up now (thanks, pandemic). But even if there had been no lock-downs this season, Super Bowl LV would still be a weird one.
Why? Because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be playing against the Kansas City Chiefs at their home — Raymond James Stadium. This marks the first time in Super Bowl history that a team has the home-field advantage.. Unfortunately for the Bucs, a home field advantage in the 2020 season hardly means a thing without the crowds. I almost feel bad for them because they need every advantage they can get.
This is the expected scenario this season, right? The fresh-faced superstar going up against the war-weary veteran. Brady may have ditched the Patriots, but there’s no denying that he pushed the Bucs into a Super Bowl playoff.
At only 25 years old, Mahomes is still fresh off his first Super Bowl win. Brady has enjoyed six in his career (so far) and is gunning for lucky number seven.. Providing that the Chiefs can hold off the Buc’s defensive front and give Mahomes the little time he needs to hone in, the Chiefs are favored to win this year despite the Buc’s home-field advantage. Mahomes has led his team to victory extremely reliably, even after slow or rocky starts.. Brady, on the other hand, may be experiencing some slippage. He threw 12 total interceptions during the season, three of which were against the Packers. While they managed to overcome that and land their spot against the Chiefs, that’s not the kind of Tom Brady that will win another ring.. Brady is struggling with firing under pressure and his quick throw game is not up to par with Mahomes’. The offensive line will have to overcome the Chiefs’ defense long enough to give Brady the ample time and space he needs to be Tom Brady. That’s a lot of pressure.
So how can the Buccaneers win? With Herculean effort. Absolute perfection is the only way — with both offense and defense. They must slow Mahomes down while playing defense AND slow the Chiefs defense down to give Brady room while playing offense. Any slippage in either is going to equal a Chiefs win.
But with Todd Bowles coordinating defense, it’s not out of the question to be a thorn in Mahomes’ side. After all, Bowles worked with Chiefs coach Andy Reid back when they were both with the Philadelphia Eagles. He may have some insight into how Reid’s mind works… But Reid isn’t exactly known for his predictability, is he?
The Chiefs have this in the bag. They’re running on all cylinders and Mahomes can handle any defense. At 44-11 over the past three years, they are the best in league. All they need to do is play as well on February 7 as they did against the Bills and the Bucs won’t stand a chance.
As much as I want to avoid underestimating Tom Brady, the Chiefs’ offense has been absolutely dynamite and incredibly difficult to stop. If the Chiefs can keep up pressure on Brady, this Bowl is already over.