FAVORITE TEAMS

The time has come and not even COVID can stop this biggest game of the year. On one side, the Chiefs were expected to return after winning last year’s Super Bowl over the 49ers. On the other side, the Buccaneers made a surprising run to the Super Bowl, but when you have Tom Brady on your team, anything’s possible. They also become the first team to play a Super Bowl in their hometown. It is the second meeting between the Chiefs and Buccaneers since Week 12 and Patrick Mahomes’ and Brady’s fifth all-time meeting. Mahomes makes his second straight Super Bowl appearance while Tom Brady makes his 10th all-time Super Bowl appearance and returns after missing last season with the Patriots. Prior to that, he went to three straight and won two of them.

So let’s quickly recap the Chiefs-Buccaneers Week 12 meeting. The Chiefs won 27-24 after Tyreek Hill’s record-setting day with over 200 yards receiving…in the first quarter!

Even though the Chiefs set the tone early with 17 first quarter points, the Buccaneers beared down the rest of the game, allowing 10 points, including a 4th quarter shut out. The Chiefs also showed signs of red zone struggles and pressure from the Buccaneers, including a forced fumble and loss of possession. After the first second half score, they punted three times, especially after a 9-play drive before ending the game on their last possession.

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers struggled in the first half and punted the first four possessions. After that, their last six possessions (excluding a kneel down at the end of the 2nd quarter) resulted in three touchdowns, a field goal, and two interceptions in between those situations. The two picks were due to Brady forcing the ball where he shouldn’t be and both were in Chiefs’ territory. It could be a different result if not for those two turnovers.

Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady tie at 2-2 all-time. Both expect to put up plenty of yards, but high-scoring is 50-50 with two of the better defenses in the NFL. The game is expected to be close and last possession may go to Tom Brady for the game-winner or Patrick Mahomes ending to prevent Brady from one more possession. Tampa Bay expects to have their players healthy while Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher and linebacker Willie Gay are questionable. If Fisher isn’t healthy, the pressure shifts to their backup against the Bucs’ formidable front seven.

The long and old saying in the NFL is to never bet against Tom Brady. The same goes for Patrick Mahomes and both have capable weapons along with their defense. But let me break down a quick stat for you all. Since Patrick Mahomes became the Chiefs’ quarterback in 2017, the team is 20-4 on the road in regular season games and never had to play a playoff road game in his career. The Super Bowl may be neutral, but it’s more like a road game to the Chiefs. As much as I respect Tom Brady for his 20-plus year success with both the Patriots and the Buccaneers, there’s a new Goat in town and the Chiefs plan to run the NFL as the new dynasty. They should have the last possession to end the game for a back-to-back Super Bowl victory for the first time since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005.