Vs. Latest
Has the Chiefs one win away from back-to-back championships
The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and Buccaneers have not met in the playoffs . ... Tampa Bay went 8-2 against common opponents this season. Kansas City went 7-2.
If Andy Reid & Co. get off to a quick start, the game will not be close. As long as KC limits self-implosion and in-game injuries, the champs will defend their title. Chiefs 34, Bucs 20
KC has an NBA-style offense of big runs, and it’ll be the Mahomes Show. Too much firepower. Too bad for Brady’s almost-dream season. Chiefs 37, Bucs 27
When the Chiefs have the ball
Having clearly established itself as a force whether (left) is throwing to All-Pros (above) and
Hill, an impressive group of other targets, or handing off to Clyde Edwards-Helaire
— not to mention, the quarterback taking off himself — Kansas City excels at scoring quickly. And often.
So where would Tampa Bay have any chance of defending the speed demons and shifty targets?
For one, the Bucs have the league’s best linebacker corps: sack master Shaq Barrett, run stuffer Lavonte David, all-around standout Devin White. They are capable of at least giving Kelce, the sport’s best tight end, some trouble.
The Bucs showed how strong their pass rush can be in last week’s NFC championship victory over Green Bay. They sacked Aaron Rodgers five times, bothered him a slew more, and that was operating against a solid offensive line.
Mahomes has similar escapability to Rodgers, and is far more of a threat to flat out run the ball himself. Keeping him in the pocket and pressured is a key, and the Chiefs will be without starting left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles tendon). Barrett, edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul and inside presence Ndamukong Suh must be controlled by Kansas City.
With a strong pass rush, the Bucs can protect a secondary that makes big plays, but also can give them up. If safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., a rookie, and Jordan Whitehead can’t go or are limited by injuries, that could spell trouble, and Chiefs touchdowns. Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are the key cornerbacks trying to slow the KC express. No one on the Tampa defense can match the speed of Hill or Mecole Hardman.
Special teams
Punt units have been a bit of an issue for KC. Hardman’s muff against Buffalo was the latest in a string of questionable decisions. But he also had a return touchdown this season.
Harrison Butker, like Succop, is dynamic on field goals, less dependable on extra points. Rookie punter Tommy Townsend has done a solid job.
Coaching
Chiefs have the most innovative attack the NFL has seen since perhaps the Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf. Credit OC Eric Bieniemy for some of that, but Reid always has tested the limits. DC Steve Spagnuolo
is equally as aggressive, and his best teams always bring a potent pass rush. Ask Brady about how his 2007 unbeaten Patriots were manhandled by Spags’ D in the Super Bowl.
Intangibles
Kansas City seeks to become the first repeat champion since New England (led by Brady) in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Reid would solidify his already likely Hall of Fame credentials with a victory. Bieniemy would further display why he deserves a head coaching job.