Super Bowl LV is tomorrow, featuring an all-time great quarterback matchup and more compelling storylines that you can shake a stick at.
Here are our staff picks for Sunday’s game between the Bucs and the Chiefs.
Anthony Rizzuti
Has anyone noticed that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really are Florida’s version of the Kansas City Chiefs?
Tom Brady, like Patrick Mahomes, is the face of a generation at the quarterback position, even if said face may have needed help from some of the state’s finest southern cosmetics and crackpot diet fads. Rob Gronkowski may be the oft-shirtless bro who attends all the boat parties, but he’s just as prolific a tight end as Travis Kelce is. And Antonio Brown, who dominated defenses in his day even despite his size like Tyreek Hill, has been the subject of more than a few “Florida Man” stories at this point.
Anyway, these two teams are built similar, at least on offense. Their myriad of aerial weapons, potent running back committees and chess masters on the sideline have helped send organizations teams through their respective conferences. Their defenses aren’t too shabby either, each boasting a handful of standout playmakers that can turn a game on its head in an instant.
So, with these two teams matching up well in what may be a close one (especially with the rainy forecast ahead), Super Bowl LIV could come down to whoever blinks first. If that’s the case, I’m much more willing to bet that this seasoned version of Brady, who threw three picks to Green Bay two weeks ago, slips up before (and more often) than sport’s best player in Mahomes.
The pick: Kansas City 27, Tampa Bay 20
Erik Williams
The goat is back in the Super Bowl and better than ever.
The Bucs have been one of the best defensive units in the league all season, and it starts with their incredible front seven. They should be able to shut down the run game and put it all in Pat Mahomes’ hand, which is not necessarily a good thing but it sure beats the heck out of trying to beat the Chiefs’ air attack plus an effective run game,
The key though is getting pressure on Mahomes. Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul have a good shot at that, especially with multiple injuries along the Chiefs’ offensive line. Getting Antoine Winfield back at safety will be huge for the Bucs also, as he will be able to help over the top to try and take away the deep threat of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman.
It sounds crazy to say, but if the Bucs can just get 3-4 stops on defense they have a very good chance at winning this game. We already know Tom Brady is going to do his thing on offense, so this W for Tampa Bay will ultimately come down to their defense stepping up in critical situations.
The pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tim Weaver
When these teams met at the end of November, KC only managed a three-point win despite a hilarious line from Tyreek Hill (13 catches, 269 yards, three touchdowns) and two interceptions from Tom Brady. That might lead you to believe these teams are relatively evenly matched and therefore Sunday’s game could be a close one.
While Brady has made history defying the odds too many times to totally count him out, it’s also difficult to see his team overcoming the world-stomping elephant in the room.
Even with the greatest competitor in the history of the sport, a star-studded offense, a lethal defensive front-seven and home-field advantage to boot, the Bucs just don’t have enough firepower to overcome the force of nature that is Patrick Mahomes’ arm. The other day on Twitter I called him a 100-year talent without thinking too much about it – but when you really consider what we’re seeing from him it’s hard to come to any other conclusion. We have never seen the kinds of things Mahomes is doing and we may never again. Leads don’t matter. Defense doesn’t matter. Injuries don’t matter. He transcends every obstacle that comes along and does it with a smile.
Mahomes’ century-defining creativity forces everyone to re-evaluate the way the position is played, scouted and discussed. As long as he’s healthy and has an even half-respectable group of offensive skill players (he has two of the best in the NFL), the Chiefs are going to keep winning Super Bowls regardless of what their opponents throw at them.
The pick: Kansas City 31, Tampa Bay 10.
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