Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Kansas City Chiefs: Super Bowl LV Predictions
The 2020-21 NFL season was one unlike any other, played against the backdrop of a pandemic. But with the season a success, there is only one game that remains: the Super Bowl. The two teams that remain are the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, led by rising legend Patrick Mahomes, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by ageless wonder Tom Brady. This sets up a matchup that any sports lover will enjoy, with the old legend facing off with the young upstart.
The Super Bowl is the biggest betting night there is, and gamblers of all experience levels will be looking to get into the action. As we all know, the Super Bowl betting celebration involves often many other things except the game itself. Some of the bets can be placed on things related to the half-time show for example, and much more. It is also important to remember that even though the Super Bowl is a US event, countries like Canada and UK, are following the event closely and it of course involves placing wagers on the game.
Now that the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't give the bettors the option of choosing a land-based bookmaker in most places, the best betting sites are the popular choice for placing a Super Bowl bet. Not only that, those betting sites also offer the bettor attractive bonuses and offers that can't be found in any kind of land-based betting agency.
If those online bookmakers were popular before the pandemic outbreak, now their popularity has raised a lot as there are not a lot of other options to place a bet on the biggest events in the world.
This game is primarily going to come down to whether the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense can get some stops. The Kansas City Chiefs offense is as potent as the league has seen, and they were firing on all cylinders last week when they hung 38 points on the Buffalo Bills. Led by Mahomes, but with elite playmakers in Tight End Travis Kelce and Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs offense is always going to get theirs. They led the league in yards per game this season and finished 6th in the league in points per game with just a shade under 30. But the Tampa Bay defense has stepped up and has a fearsome unit of their own.
The Tampa Bay defense has been getting after the Quarterback this postseason after they harassed Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship game. That will be a big key to slowing down Mahomes, although he is just as dangerous when forced out of the pocket. The Buccaneers defense is led by Lavonte David, Devin White, and Shaquil Barret, but also features several other young difference makers. The Buccaneers forced the 6th most takeaways in the league this year and had the 8th lowest points allowed per game. They have a top-10 defense that seems to be clicking right now, as they were instrumental in wins over the Saints and Packers this postseason. The Chiefs offense will present a unique challenge though.
The Buccaneers also have an elite offense. They were 3rd in the NFL in points per game, led by their passing attack. Tom Brady has some of the best weapons he’s had in his lengthy career on this team, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown all catching passes from him. Brady is also someone who’s been in this game a whopping 9 other times, so bettors and spectators can rest assured the moment won’t be too big for him.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs defense is an improved unit as well. Fresh off containing Josh Allen and the Bills for much of the AFC championship, they now turn their attention to Brady. The Chiefs defense was 11th in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game and features edge rushers Frank Clark and Chris Jones, as well as one of the NFL's best safeties in Tyrann Mathieu. The Chiefs defense is not an elite unit but has played well in coverage of late and performed in big moments in the playoffs.
Now that we’ve broken down some of the key matchups and players, it’s time for some predictions. While oddsmakers slightly differ, most have the line for the Chiefs at either -3 or -3.5. This means the Chiefs are a slight favorite, even though the game is being played at Raymond James Stadium, which is the Buccaneers’ home stadium. The total points over/under is listed by most places at around 56.5. Oddsmakers predict a high-scoring Super Bowl, which will end in a Kansas City Chiefs victory.
The two teams played earlier in the year, and the game ended in a 27-24 Chiefs victory, but much has changed since then. That loss plunged the Buccaneers to 7-5 and put them in a precarious position for the playoffs. Since that game, the Buccaneers have won 7 straight games, including beating the two best teams in their Conference by regular-season record. The Chiefs only loss since Week 5 of the regular season came in week 17 when they rested their starters. However, 9 of the Chiefs last 10 wins have come by single digits, so they’re not exactly blowing teams out.
While this prediction is simply a guess, as all predictions are, I would estimate this game is a shootout. As good as the Tampa Bay defense is, the Chiefs have gotten points on everyone they've played this year. Against two of the best defenses in the NFL, the Ravens, and the Saints, the Chiefs put up 34 and 32 points respectively. They will move the ball on anyone with the Quarterback and the weapons that they have. I also believe that Tom Brady will lead the Buccaneers to a high-scoring evening as well. Their offense has been clicking, and with Leonard Fournette finding a new gear in the playoffs, their attack is balanced and prolific. I would predict that the teams will collectively hit the over.
This is a matchup that I believe will see a lot of offensive players hit their over on yardage total. Some specific prop bets that I like are Tom Brady over 304.5 passing yards, Mike Evans over 64.5 receiving yards, and Tyreek Hill over 86.5 receiving yards. Since I am predicting a shootout of a game, I would guess a lot of offensive players will have high outputs.
Lastly, I predict this will be a game that will be close, but end in a Chiefs victory. My final score prediction is Kansas City Chiefs 35- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34. I believe the Buccaneers will cover the spread, but for Moneyline bettors, the game will be won by the Chiefs. While the Buccaneers have Tom Brady, who is as experienced in big games as any player ever, the rest of their team is relatively untested. The Chiefs have spent the past three years playing in big games, and their team is filled with guys who have stepped up in big games. I give the slight edge to the Chiefs to win this game because of their experience, the talent of Patrick Mahomes, and the brilliant coaching minds of Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy.
Super Bowl LV is a matchup between a budding dynasty and the leader of the NFL's last great dynasty. It is a game that has intriguing matchups on every level, and one that might provide NFL fans with something they'll remember for a long time.
