By Lourence Alturino
Image from CBS
Leaving aside how we got here, the biggest sports game of the year is here. Super Bowl 55 has arrived. The best QB in the league vs the highly acclaimed "GOAT". The reigning Super Bowl MVP vs the living legend with 6 rings. Mahomes vs Brady. Buccaneers vs Chiefs.
The Quarterback Battle
Patrick Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, has taken the league by storm ever since his historic first season as a starter in 2018. In that season, Mahomes proved that he is one of the game’s best with his MVP winning season of 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 66.03 completion percentage, and 113.8 passer rating. Last season, he cemented his legacy once and for all, with a Super Bowl 54 comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Yes that hurt to type as a diehard 49ers fan. This year, the Kansas City lead thrower, put up another MVP-level season with 4,740 yards (2nd in the NFL), 38 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 66.3 completion percentage, and 108.2 passer rating. Great career so far for the young QB, but definitely not close to his opponent, Tom Brady.
Tom Brady is universally considered as the greatest quarterback of all time, if not the greatest football player of all time. Need any reason as to believe why he’s the greatest? In his long career, he has obtained 6 Super Bowl rings (the most by any NFL player ever), 3 league MVPs, 4 Super Bowl MVPs, and 5 All-Pro team selections. Brady, who is usually known as the passer for the New England Patriots, signed with Tampa Bay this past offseason after 20 years in New England. The craziest thing is that the Tampa QB is 43 years old, entering his 21st season in the league. Even at 43, Brady had put together a really good season to lead the Bucs to 11-5, the 5th seed in the NFC. Tom threw for 4,633 yards (3rd in the NFL), 40 touchdowns (Tied for 2nd in the NFL), 12 interceptions, 65.7 completion percentage, and 102.2 passer rating.
Both men of different generations are on a massive mission. Both of their legacies and careers of the men under center can change drastically on Feburary 7th. Can Mahomes become a back to back champion and MVP or will Brady finally get number 7?
Key Players for Kansas City
Tyreek Hill, the fastest and one of the best pass catchers in the league, has been a major key of success for the Chiefs throughout his entire time on the team. The Kansas City lead receiver is a big play threat in every game. Andy Reid (Head Coach for the Chiefs and one of the best in the NFL) and Eric Bieniemy (Offensive Coordinator for KC and again one of the best at his job) have always designed deep passes and certain plays for Mahomes to get the ball in Hill’s hands. His speed is a massive problem for any defense because he catches that ball, there is no one who can keep up with him nor tackle him with his crazy elusiveness. This year, he put up 1,276 yards, 15 TDs (2nd in the NFL), 87 Receptions, all on 135 total targets. Also, don’t look too deep into his 5’10 stature, as he has some of the best jumpball ability out there.
Travis Kelce, heavily debated as the game’s best tight end and also one of the best players to throw the pigskin to, has been the man in Kansas City even before Mahomes was drafted in 2017. Kelce is an absolute unguardable problem in the middle of the field. The tight end has a historic ‘20-’21 season with 1,416 yards (Most ever for a TE in a single season and 2nd in the NFL), 11 TDs, 105 Receptions, all on 145 total targets. Let’s just say Lavonte David, Devin White, and any CB are gonna have a big challenge defending Kelce.
Tyrann Mathieu is one of the league’s premier defensive backs. This season, the so-called “Honey Badger” has put 62 Total Tackles (48 Solo) and 6 INTs. All for an All-Pro selection, which would be his 2nd selection in his career. Basically, Tom Brady is going to have a tough time trying to get the ball down the field with Mathieu in coverage and blitzing for pressure.
Key Players for Tampa Bay
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are widely considered as a top wide receiver duo in the league. This is Evans’ first time in the playoffs and the Super Bowl itself obviously. Evans has proved time and time again that he is a top receiver, especially this season. The lead receiver for Tampa Bay had 1,006 yards, 13 TDs, 70 receptions, all on 109 total targets. To summarize, Mike Evans is really good, just like his teammate, one time Pro Bowler Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers’ statistically most common slot receiver is one of the most underrated players the NFL has. Godwin battled through injury a lot this season, but he still hauled in 840 yards, 7 TDs, 65 receptions, all on 84 total targets. Don’t let these stats deceive you, Chris Godwin is a great wide receiver.
The Buccaneers’ linebacker core is probably the best in the entire league when you really think about it. Shaq Barrett is an elite pass rusher and Jason Pierre-Paul has been playing the best football he’s ever played in a while. Both combined for 17.5 sacks in the regular season and had also combined for 5 sacks together against Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game. Not only do they have an elite pass rush with their outside linebackers, but they have even better inside linebackers. Lavonte David is a star and his ability to cover a ton of ground on the field is huge for this defense. David had 117 total tackles (82 Solo), which is a ton in one season. His teammate, Devin White, has also become a star in his second year in the league. His speed and athleticism is huge against the Chiefs especially against Hill, Kelce, and Clyde. This season, he had a crazy season with 140 total tackles (97 solo).
Keys for KC to win
Take advantage of Tampa Bay’s 21st ranked defense in the pass. Do what you always do, protect Mahomes as best as possible, put the ball in Hill’s and Kelce’s hands and expect them to get 6 every drive. Especially Tyreek’s hands, with his crazy performance in Week 12 against the Bucs. The Kansas City pressure on the line from Frank Clark and Chris Jones has caused problems for good QBs in the past like Josh Allen in the AFC Championship Game.
Keys to TB to win
Create pressure on Mahomes like you always do. There are a couple reasons why TB had 48 sacks in the regular season, which was 4th in the league. JPP, Shaq Barrett, and Devin White should create constant pressure for the KC O-line who already has former 1st overall draft pick offensive tackle Eric Fisher out for the game.
Final Score Predictions
This should be an absolute war. The story is there for this to be a memorable Super Bowl. Mahomes definitely still has a chip on his shoulder to avenge his loss against Brady in the AFC Championship Game in 2018. Brady wants a second ring on his second hand. This is a really hard game to predict because it can go either way. My final prediction is for the underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-31. There is a very popular saying to never bet against Brady and I will be standing with that certain statement for the big game on February 7th.
Comments