Super Bowl LV Preview: Kansas City vs. Tampa Bay
Super Bowl title is on the line between the reigning champions and a franchise on the brink of history.
The first meeting, let’s just conclude that the first meeting was compelling.
A late November meeting between the two teams was decided by a field goal despite a record-setting first quarter by a star receiver for Kansas City. After two big touchdowns by receiver Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs found themselves possessing a 17-0 first quarter lead. But a near comeback by Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers left the national audience on the edge and an interesting quote by CBS announcer Tony Romo at the end of that contest ultimately comes full circle.
The Buccaneers are on the verge of creating history. They are already the first team in Super Bowl history to play in and host the same Super Bowl. Simply fascinating how things transformed once Brady became a Buccaneer this past offseason. The Chiefs themselves are trying to be the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champion since well, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in 2004-2005. The next NFL dynasty may plant it’s flag on Sunday with a young Chiefs team built around their multi-layered offense. Let the small talk commence. On to the preview.
Time: Sunday, February 7th, 6:30 PM EST
Network: CBS
Chiefs Keys To Victory
Avoiding turnovers should be a MAJOR point of emphasis for the Kansas City offense. The Buccaneers defense was sixth in the NFL in total takeaways in the regular season and tied for first in total takeaways in the postseason. Offensive takeaways was not a major concern for the Chiefs offense as they only relinquished the football to the opposition just a total of 16 times over the course of the regular season. However, this Buccaneers defense has built a pedigree of not only getting turnovers but timely turnovers to generate game-swinging momentum.
With Hill and Travis Kelce, the duo have garnered a 120 and 126 passer rating respectively, when targeted 15 yards or more during the regular season. Both were also seventh and eighth respectively in yards after catch totaled. While all eyes are on them, the trio of Mecole Hardman, Sammy Watkins, and Demarcus Robinson will have to reap the benefits of playing along side their talented duo.
Bucs Keys To Victory
The Buccaneers are on a seven-game winning streak which includes the regular season and the playoffs. During that winning streak, Brady has totaled 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also have five games that totaled 104.3 or more in passer rating. He eclipsed that passer rating just six times in the 12 games prior to their win streak. To say he is on a tear is putting it mildly.
This is a Buccaneers defense that were able to get after the quarterback consistently. They were fourth in sacks, second in quarterback pressures, third in quarterback knockdowns, third in quarterback hurries, and second in the NFL in total blitzes. Bottom line, they know how to get after the quarterback. In the regular season meeting, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked just twice en route to throwing for 462 yards and three touchdowns. The Buccaneers defense led all teams in the postseason with seven sacks. This is the one aspect that Tampa Bay has to win on defense.
Prediction
This is a tough Super Bowl to predict. Simply because of the presence of both quarterbacks. Brady is deemed as the greatest of all-time in the eyes of many. While Mahomes is viewed by most as the next in line when it comes to great quarterbacks in this league. At the tender age of 25, Mahomes has a growing list of accomplishments (Super Bowl champ, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP, 1-time All-Pro).
Hill gashed the Tampa Bay secondary with 269 total receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 27-24 win for Kansas City. Since then however, things have looked mighty different for the Buccaneers defense. In their seven-game win streak, they have only allowed over 300 passing yards twice.
Beating a team twice in the same season is more than difficult. Beating the same team twice that has Brady at quarterback is even more difficult. But then again, the talent on the Kansas City offense is more than capable of accomplishing such.
Keep an eye on the weather here. There is a chance that we see some rain and possible storms. If that does occur, it will have an effect on the passing game a bit. Right now, Tampa is better equipped to lean on a run game to set and maintain a tone, especially with the Bucs having the top-ranked run defense in the NFL.
Both quarterbacks will show why they stand atop the NFL. However, if there is one defense that is the more reliable to make those game-changing plays, it’s the Buccaneers. Something they have showed quite often over the second half of the season.