Ever since the NFL regular season ended over a month ago, we have received plenty of action as expected from the league.
Of course, we have the on-field craziness of the playoffs, but we also have had plenty of news and rumors that have been flying around left and right for teams, as well. Such examples include the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff swap between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, coaching hires and fires, and the Deshaun Watson trade rumors that are in the driver's seat of what is expected to be a chaotic Quarterback Carousel this offseason.
Despite all of the madness throughout the league in recent weeks, nothing will beat the lead-up towards the most-anticipated sporting event of the year: Super Bowl 55.
This time around, we will have a battle between Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers v.s. Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. In this article, I will give my preview of the big game and predict who will win it all.
If you haven't already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
The Brady Effect
Once the 2019 season ended for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were in an interesting spot. They were a young, talented team with one of the best Head Coaches in the league in Bruce Arians, who then completed his first season with the team. The team sported a top-three offense in the league filled with weapons, including the unquestioned best Wide Receiver duo that season of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While in the middle of the pack in the league, the defense had their fair share of talent and was elite in terms of stopping the run.
However, that was not enough, as they finished with a 7-9 record, which was headlined by Quarterback Jameis Winston's 30 Touchdown-30 Interception season. It seemed that Winston was able to rack up yards and touchdowns with ease, but his immensely erratic and risky style of play was not cutting it for the Buccaneers. In free agency, they decided to let Winston walk away and shock the NFL world by acquiring his replacement: Tom Brady.
Tom Brady In Mid-Celebration During The Buccaneers Playoff Victory Over The Washington Football Team
(Credit: The Japan Times)
It was understandably hard to envision that we would have ever seen the Quarterback don a non-Patriots uniform in his professional career. But we eventually learned that his departure from New England was in the works before the end of 2019, and he eventually chooses to travel south and join the Buccaneers. Expectations ranged from Super Bowl contenders to underwhelming failures. How would he fare with a new team and new coach for the first time in your 20-year career? It was a question many (including myself) were concerned with, but as you could tell by now, we were wrong.
With a star-studded cast of targets and improved Offensive Line, Brady was able to smoothly transition to his new team. His offense was a top-seven unit in the league, all while considering that Chris Godwin had a disappointing season, Tight End O.J. Howard ended his season early with an Achilles injury, and the rushing attack was a bottom-five unit in the league. Brady was able to finish the season with 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns. Could you imagine what more he could have done with a healthy Godwin and Howard in the mix? We may never know how that could turn out, but Brady was fortunate to have enough vital help around himeven without those players.
The offensive success should be a surprise to no one, but how about that defense? They were still beatable in terms of passing defense, but their rush defense was the best of the year by a mile. The Buccaneers gave up about 80 rushing yards per game; in second place was the Indianapolis Colts with a ten-yard difference of 90 yards per game. Led by sophomore sensation, Linebacker Devin White and veteran leader, Linebacker Lavonte David, the unit catapulted into the top-six in the league. They posed as a threat for any offense they faced.
It is easy to forget that before 2020, the Buccaneers were one of the most laughable franchises in the league. The last time they were in a playoff game was in 2007 when they lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. The last time they even won a playoff game was their ballistic victory in Super Bowl 37 at then-Head Coach Jon Gruden's helm. Now, they finished 11-5 (with all of their losses being against playoff teams, including the Bears), won three-straight road playoff games, and rewarded themselves with becoming the first team in NFL history to play at their home stadium in the Super Bowl. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out, but it all would have never been possible without TB12.
Surprise, Surprise, The Chiefs Are Dominant Again
For the third season in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs have made their way to the AFC Championship. For the second season in a row, they knocked past their opposition and punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. But their recent dominance begs the question: Are you really that surprised?
Look at this team! Not only is it loaded, but it is practically unfair. Led by god-sent Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the offense is the most potent in the league. Travis Kelce is the undisputed best Tight End in the league and had one of the best seasons a Tight End could ever ask for. Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill is the game's most dynamic and one-of-a-kind playmaker out there, and the Offensive Line may be the most underrated in the entire league. Did I mention Head Coach Andy Reid at the helm? Good lord.
The offense is so talented and electric that hardly anyone is talking about their underwhelming rushing attack. Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire came in as the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, as there arguably no better fit for a player such as Helaire for a team such as the Chiefs. The sky was the limit for him, but (despite missing three games) he only finished with 803 yards and four touchdowns. Does that matter, though? Did the Chiefs falter in any way? Nope. Of course, the Chiefs would have loved to see their first-round draft pick live up to expectations, but it appeared like they hardly blinked without him being dominant out there.
The Chiefs' defense (once again) was an interesting case this season. Similar to Tampa Bay, they are beatable but have talent all over that side of the ball. The Chiefs finished middle of the pack in terms of yards allowed but were upper half of the league in terms of the least amount of points allowed. Lead by Defensive End Chris Jones and Safety Tyrann Mathieu, this group may have cracks in it but specializes in creating turnovers and pressure.
This season, the Chiefs steamrolled through their entire schedule with a 14-2 record and clinched the sole AFC bye. Their only losses were a stunning upset by the Las Vegas Raiders and a final-week defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, where the Chiefs rested their key starters. Otherwise, it was nothing but victories for the reigning champs. The offense helped carry any shortcomings the defense has shown, and expectations for them are sky high once again.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Scoring His First Career Touchdown In The Season Opener
Against The Houston Texans (Credit: Arrowhead Pride)
Remember how I mentioned that Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a disappointing year? What if he suddenly turned things around? What if Andy Reid decided to feature him in the Super Bowl? The season is not over just yet, and if there is any time for the rookie rusher to shine, it is this Sunday when it matters most. If Mahomes can lead his offense and perform the way they typically do AND have Helaire go off? A unit that is already intimidating as it is will somehow become even scarier to deal with.
The Chiefs are the best team in the league and have easily earned their chance to make it to the Super Bowl yet again.
G.O.A.T. v.s. Baby G.O.A.T.
There are many aspects to be excited about in regards to this year's Super Bowl. However, the main attraction towards this game is undoubtedly Tom Brady v.s. Patrick Mahomes.
Tom Brady is the greatest player to ever play the game; there is simply no point in arguing against that notion anymore. He was the main component of a dynasty in New England, but questions arose when he left about whether or not he could ever find success with another team. For years, it has been a running joke that Tom Brady was a "system QB" for years, something my friend Will and I would laugh about for a while. But, other people found that notion to be legit. Many believed that Head Coach Bill Belichick was the real reason why the Patriots won six Super Bowls. There were even people that thought Brady was washed up and could never perform effectively again. Brady had all the pressure in the world against him, but (of course) he would do what the greatest football player ever would do and erase the doubts off of everyone's mind.
Brady has six reasons to back up the fact that he is the greatest of all time, but as the rest of the NFL world has seen in recent years, he was a young threat coming at him in Patrick Mahomes.
What more can you say or show about Mahomes that you have not seen or heard already? He has the record for fastest to 10,000 career passing yards, fastest to 100 career passing touchdowns, best QB rating of all time (so far), a Super Bowl victory, and a Super Bowl MVP award. That is only a tiny fraction of the countless number of awards and records he has been able to collect in four professional seasons. He is the young prodigy that the entire NFL world drools over. There is a reason he was able to secure a 10-year, $450 million contract and somehow still be worth it. He has already defined greatness in such a short span and, at just 25 years old, the sky is the limit for him.
A Photo Combining Patrick Mahomes & Tom Brady Individually Hoisting The Lombardi Trophy
(Credit: Action Network)
Of course, when a young player achieves so much and takes the league by storm, fans become quick to compare that player with the best before him. You see this in the NBA with Lebron James and Michael Jordan, the PGA with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, the MLB with Mike Trout and Babe Ruth; the list goes on. In the NFL's case, it is Patrick Mahomes and (you guessed it) Tom Brady. Through 21 seasons, no player a achieved more in their overall career than Tom Brady. Through his first four seasons, no one has accomplished more in their young career than Patrick Mahomes. Is it crazy to create a debate such as that, given the difference in career points for each player? Perhaps, but we, as fans, live for these types of arguments. It also speaks volumes about the amount of admiration and respect that each player has earned to this point.
Former QB and NFL Analyst (someone who will be calling the big game on CBS this Sunday) Tony Romo recently stated, "Patrick Mahomes is absolutely the only guy who can challenge Brady's greatest of all time, the GOAT…(he) has to win this game to have a chance to be the greatest of all time." At first, I shrugged that second notion off and thought it was nonsense. But then I realized that Romo is mostly correct.
First, Brady has six Super Bowl rings; at the moment, Mahomes has one. As easy as Tom Brady makes it look, winning the Super Bowl is no easy task (duh). Nothing is guaranteed for Mahomes, such as a long career, formidable team/coaching staff around him, etc. Is it the end of the world if Mahomes loses this Sunday? Not at all, but he needs to capitalize on every chance offered to him if he wants to become the greatest of all time. He is the rare, once-in-a-lifetime talent that has a golden opportunity to someday dethrone Brady. Brady will forever have his seemingly insurmountable legacy, and that will never change, and Mahomes still has a ton of work to do. But if the Chiefs win this Sunday, Brady has reasons to start to be nervous about Mahomes.
My Super Bowl Prediction
In Week 12 of the 2020 regular season, we saw these two teams square off against each other in the same stadium they will play in this Sunday. It was an epic, one-score bash where the Buccaneers made a comeback bid and only lost by three (27-24 final score). There were a total of 960 yards between each team (Tyreek Hill alone had 269 of those yards, a.k.a. 28%), and it became one of the most memorable games of the year.
People flirted with the idea of it becoming a potential Super Bowl preview at the time. However, given the likes of powerhouses such as the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in the conference, I did not think of Tampa Bay reaching the Super Bowl at all. Well, here we are, witnessing Tampa Bay sneak their way towards NFC reign and have the privilege of performing in their first Super Bowl in 18 years. Their obstacle? The defending Super Bowl Champions.
Now, we get to see a rematch of that epic Week 12 matchup between these two on football's biggest stage. With that being said, an annual prediction of mine must be followed, so here it goes:
Final Score: Chiefs 36 - Buccaneers 24
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Betting against Tom Brady may be one of the riskiest things to do in life. I have done it before, and boy has it bitten me in the rear multiple times. Brady and the Super Bowl go together as well as bacon and eggs, and he is just as determined as ever to go for his seventh Super Bowl ring, especially with a new team.
However, I am comfortable with risking myself being humiliated yet again and will pick the Chiefs to win.
To be completely honest, a significant reason why I am picking the Chiefs is that they were my Super Bowl pick before the start of the season. I have correctly predicted the winner of championships in other sports (2013 Boston Red Sox, 2017 Golden State Warriors, and thankfully, the 2016 Chicago Cubs). But I have sadly never been able to get a Super Bowl winner correct. In fact, most years I have been brutally incorrect, including my 2017 pick being the Oakland Raiders, who would finish the year 6-10. It has been a significant monkey on my back that I have been trying to get off. Now that my prediction this year is in prime position to win it all, I hope for victory.
Of course, preseason predictions aside, the Chiefs are simply too talented to pass up. I have already drooled over how amazing this team is, and quite frankly, there is no further explanation truly needed. I will let their play do the talking.
No team has been able to repeat as Super Bowl Champions since Tom Brady and his Patriots did in 2004 and 2005. The Seattle Seahawks were a yard away from becoming the next team to do so in 2013 and 2014, but they decided to pass on that idea (pun fully intended). This time, the Chiefs end the drought and etch their name in history furthermore. My pick for MVP will be Patrick Mahomes yet again, but this time he actually deserves the honor. I am still salty that he won it last year, even though Running Back Damien Williams clearly deserved it more.
Super Bowl 55 will be one like no other. In a year full of madness, uncertainty, and frustration in the Covid-19 world, the NFL did the once unimaginable and (barring a disaster in the next two days, knock on wood) make it through a full season. As fans, we are privileged to be able to witness a game with an unbeatable QB duel, explosive offenses, excellent coaching staffs, and chippy defenses. Let us hope the NFL season ends with a bang before we go several longs months without the sport we all cherish and love.
Enjoy the game, everyone!
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Thank You and (even though this is not a Bears article) Bear Down!