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Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes. The GOAT vs the next generation. A Super Bowl matchup that we couldn’t even fathom two years ago. The #5 seed in the NFC against the #1 seed in the AFC. Kansas City Chiefs vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It all comes down to this and I couldn’t be more excited. Now let’s get into it.

No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) at No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)

The Case for the Bucs

The first Super Bowl to ever have a team playing in its own stadium. Of course it had to be Tom Brady, the man that seems to hold half of all records in the NFL. This years matchup is arguably the best matchup we’ve had since Brady and the Patriots faced up against the Atlanta Falcons four years ago. A game that will forever hold a place in the history of this league, crazy to think that it has already been four years since it happened. Both teams have had two very different paths to the big game. After starting the season 7-5 the Bucs have been on a seven game-winning streak with the offense finally clicking on all cylinders. With the #1 run defense in the league getting their stalwart defensive tackle Vita Vea back last week, the Bucs held both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams to forty yards combined. The defenses’ ability to create turnovers in the playoffs has been the key to winning three straight road games to make it to this point. In the past three games alone, the Bucs defense have forced seven turnovers. Coincidentally, the last game this Bucs team lost was against their Super Bowl opponents, the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was only decided by three points as the final score was 27-24, but the Bucs are honestly lucky it looked that good on paper. Tyreek Hill put on a historic performance, catching the ball 13 times for 269 yards and 3 TDs. 200 of those yards came in just the first quarter. Incredible. The Chiefs jumped out to a 17-0 lead and basically just managed the game until the clock hit zero. Now obviously we know that no lead (especially in the playoffs) is safe with Tom Brady on the opposing sideline, but they can’t let the Chiefs get off to another fast start. With starting left tackle Eric Fisher out this Sunday with an achilles injury, expect defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to dial up some pressure to get after the MVP quarterback. The front four of Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, and Shaquill Barrett is a recipe for disaster for any offensive line so don’t be surprised if they erupt for at least three sacks on the night. Not to mention that behind that d-line is two of the best linebackers in the game in Devin White and Lavonte David. On the offensive side of the ball is the greatest football player of all time (according to Commissioner Roger Goodell) surrounded by his weapons. The combo in the backfield of Jones and Fournette is worrisome in any defensive film-room, the wideout group is deadly, and the o-line is polished as they only allowed two sacks in the last two games. You can’t forget about big game veteran Rob Gronkowski, who has had a limited impact in the passing game (to his standards) this year but has shined as a run blocker in Bruce Arians’ offense. The game is most likely going to be a close battle but like I’ve said in my previous articles it’s going to come down to the Bucs front seven getting after the quarterback and establishing the run game with Fournette and Jones. Now on to the Chiefs.

The Case for the Chiefs

The defending champs are back to keep hold of their trophy as Andy Reid will coach in his third Super Bowl in the state of Florida itself. The offense didn’t lose any pieces besides Damien Williams to a COVID opt-out before the year. While Williams was obviously a big part of their championship run last year, they drafted running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU with the 32nd pick in this years draft. Edwards-Helaire went on to rush for 803 yards and 4 TDs in only 13 games. The trio of Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce have once again ran through the league with ease. Hill and Kelce both finished in the top five for receiving touchdowns while Mahomes threw for 38 TDs and 4740 yards on the year. Their #11 ranked defense is led by ballhawk Tyrann Mathieu at safety, run stopper connoisseur Chris Jones, and explosive pass rusher Frank Clark. The keys to success for this Kansas City repeat is to get off to a hot start and keep Brady and the Bucs offense off of the field. If the defense can help Mahomes and co. establish an early lead, this will open up the playbook for Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy to take advantage of their mismatches on the outside. Losing Eric Fisher is huge for the Chiefs as the former #1 pick is the blindside protector for the Chiefs half a billion dollar man. Wideout Sammy Watkins is also questionable for the big game however with Hill and Kelce fully healthy I expect the Chiefs offense to achieve at least some success on Sunday. The Chiefs beat the Bills in the AFC Championship game by getting explosive plays from Hill, Kelce, and Mecole Hardman as Mahomes threw for 325 yards and 3 TDs. The defense held the Bills seemingly unbeatable duo of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs to only 77 yards and no touchdowns. Now it’s time for my final prediction.

Final Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33, Kansas City Chiefs 27

There’s one thing I will never do as long as I am alive. That is bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs. No matter how old this man gets (43) he still has the ability to lead his team to where they need to go. After throwing 40 TDs this year and ending the regular season on a four game winning streak the Bucs offense has looked like they have gained the chemistry that was needed at the beginning of the year. It all depends on who wins the turnover battle and the battle in the trenches for the Lombardi Trophy. Right now I think the Bucs have the trenches battle won and my gut is telling me that Tom Brady is going to get his 7th ring this Sunday. Regardless of the result I’m so excited to see this game and hopefully it lives up to the hype. The 2020-2021 season has been a wild ride and we have made it to the end. My next football related article will be either a free agency recap or the 2021 mock draft. Till next time this is YSN, signing out.