We have made it to the final game, Super Bowl LV. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first team to host a Super Bowl. The NFL announced 25,000 fans will be in attendance, including 7,500 vaccinated healthcare workers. The game will be the ultimate matchup of the best quarterback of all time facing off against the guy threatening his title. Despite Kansas City winning the regular-season matchup, Tampa Bay are favored in this predicted scoreline. Here is a breakdown of both teams since their Week 12 matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After getting past both Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, Bruce Arians and Tom Brady are headed to Super Bowl LV in their first season together. This will be Brady’s tenth Super Bowl appearance. He will be the oldest player to ever play in a Super Bowl, but he’s playing like he’s still in his twenties. His 5,493 passing yards this season including the two playoff games are the fourth most in his career. The QB has said he will consider playing past the age of 45 which is when his contract ends.
The Bucs have won seven straight since the loss to Kansas City. Brady has played at an extremely high level. However, it’s the defense that really stepped up, especially in the postseason. Linebackers Devin White, Jason Pierre-Paul, Shaquil Barrett, and Lavonte David made Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable the entire game. Brees threw three interceptions and Rodgers was sacked five times. However, now the group faces an even harder task of containing Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is headed back to the big game. They look to become the first team to repeat as champions since none other than Tom Brady and the 2004 Patriots. QB Patrick Mahomes is still the best player in the league and the Bucs will have their hands full containing him.
Kansas City jumped out to an early 17-0 lead when they played Tampa Bay, mostly due to Tyreek Hill having a monster game. Hill finished the game with a ridiculous thirteen receptions for 269 yards and three touchdown passes. Tampa Bay has to find a way to contain the speedy receiver. Tight end Travis Kelce had 82 yards against the Bucs and has established himself as the best tight end in the NFL. Kelce finished the season with 1,416 yards, an NFL record for tight ends.
Mahomes should be fully healthy after suffering a concussion that knocked him out of the game against Cleveland. He was also dealing with a turf toe issue, but judging by his three TD pass performance against Buffalo, he looks ready for Super Bowl LV. He told reporters he feels a lot better and the rest has helped. Other players like Sammy Watkins, Clyde Helaire-Edwards, and Le’Veon Bell also used this time to get healthy. All three hope to make an impact in Super Bowl LV.
