Through an NFL season that always felt a little bit in doubt thanks to a raging global pandemic, one thing seemed mostly certain: The Kansas City Chiefs were simply on a tier of their own.
Now, after a 14-win season and relatively easy route through the playoffs (it was never in doubt, even when Chad Henne had to play QB), the defending Super Bowl champions will be the first team to try to win a Lombardi Trophy at its opponent’s home stadium.
And Kansas City will have to beat Tom Brady, the greatest winner the NFL has ever known, to do it.
Yet none of that sounds very daunting, if you’re a Chiefs fan. Because the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. And Mahomes has Andy Reid designing brilliant plays for him. And Reid has skill players Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill to manipulate defenses with.
There’s a reason the Chiefs are a 3-point favorite.
Still, a few things need to go right for the Chiefs to become the first back-to-back champion since the Patriots did it in 2003 and ’04.
Here’s a look at the keys to the game. (If you’re wondering how the Bucs can pull off the upset, read what Steven Ruiz has to say here.)