Greatest Tom Brady
Is looking for his 7th Super Bowl crown
When the Buccaneers have the ball
If Tampa Bay is on offense in the final minutes in a tight game, it’s surely time for the Chiefs to worry.
There are only two ways to beat a
Tom Brady (right) team in a Super Bowl. One is to outscore it in a shootout, as the Eagles did three years ago. The other is to mount consistent pressure up the middle and from the outside to make him throw before he wants to or can get set. Remember, Brady was intercepted on three consecutive series in the NFC championship.
The onus for protecting him falls on a solid O-line featuring left guard Ali Marpet and rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs. They must deal with Kansas City DT Chris Jones and DE Frank Clark, plus an assortment of linebackers and defensive backs coming after their quarterback on blitzes.
Brady won’t be running around to extend plays the way Patrick Mahomes can, but he also will be getting the ball out of his hand quickly and, at times, reading the Chiefs’ coverage before they even show it.
In Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (above) and Scotty Miller, plus tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate, Brady has receivers he is comfortable with.
While the Chiefs are exceptional at safety with All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen, cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed, Bashaud Breeland and Rashad Fenton aren’t at that level.
Special teams
The Bucs settled on Jaydon Mickens as the punt returner after several changes, mainly because of injuries. Signing Ryan Succop has been their best offseason decision and he has been reliable on field goals, though he missed five extra points. Punter Bradley Pinion has a strong leg, but punt coverage has been problematic in the postseason.
Coaching
Bruce Arians leaves the defense to coordinator Todd Bowles, and that arrangement has especially been effective the last two months. Brady has become more comfortable with the offensive schemes and OC Byron Leftwich, with many of the QB’s favorite plays incorporated in game plans.
Intangibles
Brady, of course, goes after a seventh ring in his 10th Super Bowl. He has already proven how overwhelmingly responsible he was for the Patriots’ dominance, but that actually drives him even harder to equal such achievements with his new team.
Oh yeah, there’s this: The Super Bowl is being played on the Buccaneers’ home field, a first in this 55th edition of the game. The stadium won’t be filled to anything near capacity, but familiar surroundings certainly can’t hurt.
America is preparing for a fireworks show. And a show they shall get. At this rate, Mahomes will have more Super Bowl rings than Brady by the time he’s 35. Chiefs 34, Bucs 26
The Chiefs are favored. The Chiefs are the defending champions. But this Super Bowl is about the greatness of one Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. Bucs 38, Chiefs 34
Tom Brady
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