Super Bowl 55 Prediction
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to take on the defending Super Bowls champion Chiefs in Super Bowls 55.
Well, Tom Brady has done it again. The greatest athlete of all time is playing in his tenth career Super Bowl and shooting to win his seventh. The only thing standing in TB12’s way is the “new kid on the block”, Patrick Mahomes. At only 25 years of age, Mahomes already has an MVP and a Super Bowl win under his belt.
In Brady’s first year as a member of the Tampa Buccaneers, he was able to push them over the hump from missing the playoffs to making the big game. He has proved all his doubters wrong that said, at age 43 he wouldn’t be able to be an elite level player or be able to lead his team to the Super Bowls.
The Tampa Bay offense has a plethora of weapons that can do substantial damage at any time. Their receiving core consists of Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, Scotty Miller, Rob Gronkowski, and Cameron Brate who have all been great options for Brady to throw the ball to this whole post season.
Tampa Bays front seven has caused many problems for offenses this whole season. Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul feasted against the Green Bay Packers and with a healthy Vita Vea back and Ndamukong Suh playing at a high level, this defensive line looks like one of the best I have ever witnessed.
Linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White are miss match nightmares because, of their ability to cover tight ends and running backs and hit hard against down hill runners. Tampa is hoping that their two star safeties, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead, are healthy for the Super Bowl because, without them Tampa could be in for a long game against a high powered Chiefs offense. The only weakness in the Buccaneers defense is their cornerbacks and this could lead to a mismatch nightmare.
Defensively for the Chiefs, they look solid. On the defensive line, they are stout against the run with All-Pro nose guard Chris Jones and have an elite pass rusher with Frank Clark. The duo combined for 13.5 sacks this season but, the Buccaneers o-line is very talented. On the interior, center Ryan Jensen has been throwing 300 pound defensive linemen around with ease and at right tackle, rookie Tristan Wirfs has played immaculate.
The Chiefs linebacking core is their achilles heel. Anthony Hitchens has had a mediocre season racking up 44 tackles in 14 games and their other starter Damien Wilson notched 43 tackles and one forced fumble. This could lead to a huge mismatch in the run game.
Probably the second best position group for the Chiefs is their defensive backs. Safeties Dan Sorensen and All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu have combined for nine interceptions and two touchdowns. Their cornerbacks are ten times better than those on the Tampa Bay sideline but, they are still going to be in for a tough game against an elite bunch of receivers.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had another MVP caliber season and is firing on all cylinders. With a backfield consisting of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Le’Veon Bell, and Darrel Williams, they can rotate the three and try to wear down the Bucs elite linebackers.
Kansas City has an absolute track team of receivers with Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins that could have a field day against the meek Tampa Bay corners. While they have speedsters on the outside, they also have the leagues best tight end, Travis Kelce.
A few key matchups to watch out for in this matchup are Buccaneers rookie tackle, Tristan Wirfs against Kansas City pass rusher, Frank Clark. Clark has elite quickness and some of the leagues best pass rushing moves but, Wirfs is a mountain, standing at 6’5, 320 pounds.
Another one to watch will be the Chiefs safeties guarding the tight ends from Tampa. Sorensen is a better run support safety than Mathieu but, if Sorensen guards Gronk, who is primarily used as a run blocker that would be Kansas Cities best bet.
Mathieu can guard Cameron Brate who is usually a massive threat along the goal line. While Tyrann is a little undersized, he is super quick and has no fear of laying a hit.
The last key matchup is Tampa linebacker, Devin White against the leagues top tight end, Travis Kelce. White is a super freak athletically that is awesome in coverage but, Kelce is fast and extremely physical. This will be the best matchup of the game.
My prediction for this game is a high scoring affair that ends with Tampa Bay on top 42 to 37. Tom Brady will win the Super Bowl MVP after he throws for 325 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.