This Sunday February 7th will mark the culmination of a peculiar NFL season. This year’s football season was like no other, encompassed by a global pandemic. All NFL teams having to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocol, to ensure safety. Questions of how this season would turn out have been answered, leading to an exciting final act between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa Bay, Florida is the setting for Super Bowl LV and the battleground for the league’s top juggernauts. The Buccaneers will be the first team to play a Superbowl in their own stadium- the ideal situation for any team. However, the home field advantage is just icing on the cake. Especially for Buccaneers quarterback, Tom Brady, who on Sunday will be making his 10th Super Bowl appearance in effort for his seventh ring. Despite a rollercoaster of a season, head coach Bruce Arians has produced a chance for glory. The Buccaneers as an organization have only made the Super Bowl twice.
A fifth seed coming into the playoffs, Brady and the Buccaneers knocked off some impressive opponents in route to Sunday’s game. Defeating a good defensive team in Washington, beat Drew Brees and the Saints in the divisional round, and overcame Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field for the NFC championship in route to Sunday’s game. The Buccaneers have a talented roster. A wide receiver core of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Scotty Miller. They can run the ball too. The running back tandem of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II have shown to grow more confident as the season continues. Their offensive is a standout on any scouting report, but the defensive deserves some respect as well. A group including veterans DT Ndamukong Suh, LB Jason Pierre-Paul, LB Devin White, and upstanding DBs Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean. The Buccaneers, ranking second in passing yard per game, are looking to make history on Sunday afternoon. However, their opponents, the Kansas City Chiefs, have some history of their own to make .
The Super Bowl LIV champions are back to defend their title. Ironically, the Chiefs are trying to be the latest repeat champions since Tom Brady and his 2003-04 New England Patriots. However, a new brand of quarterback, Patrick Mahomes II has yet again led his team to the big game. In effort of his second championship ring in three seasons as the starting quarterback, accompanied by an NFL MVP trophy. His consistent spectacular performances have revolutionized the position, but football is a team sport, and his supporting cast is one of the best.
A one seed and heavy favorite throughout the season, The Chiefs had a shorter route to Raymond James Stadium. The team defeated the Cleveland Browns in a 22-17 victory before beating a promising Buffalo Bills team with QB Josh Allen 38-24. There is no doubt of the Chiefs immense skillset. The team has a plethora of offensive weapons that are sure to be on display Sunday. The Chiefs have an incredible aerial attack with WR Tyreek Hill, WR Mecole Hardman, and the always reliable TE Travis Kelce. Add a solid run game consisting of rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and RB Le’Veon Bell, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy proves to have the recipe for success – ranking first in total passing yard this season. However, the defense is something to marvel at as well. Led by All-Pro S Tyrann Mathieu and DT Chris Jones, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has crafted an ideal defensive group to accompany such an high-powered offense. Specializing in providing substantial pressure on the quarterback.
The two teams faced earlier in Week 12 in Tampa Bay. The two superstar quarterbacks combining for 807 yards and six touchdowns. The Chiefs ultimately won that game 27-24, but they’re facing a whole different team than the one they encountered in November. Super Bowl LV will be one for the history books. Not just for the players striving for football immortality, but the recuperating world watching.