By Sean Gannon

The matchup that everyone wanted when Tom Brady signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally happened and what a surprising conclusion to an incredible 2020 season it was. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the game offensively and defensively. The Chiefs’ offensive line changes were a huge weakness for them all game; Mahomes was always under pressure having no time to throw the ball. The Buccaneers were not afraid to send in the cornerback blitzes or linebacker blitzes to add extra rushers to get after Mahomes, bringing him down three times in the Super Bowl. Todd Bowles (Buccaneer’s defensive coordinator) put an incredible amount of trust in his players and their game plan, and it paid off. An offense that was consistently scoring touchdowns almost every time they were on the field was nullified entirely, posting six points in the first half and three points in the second, not finding the endzone. Tampa Bay was hungry and was flying all over the field, locking down Tyreek Hill, only letting him get seven receptions for 73 yards, a vast improvement from their Week 12 in which Hill saw 13 receptions, 263 yards, and three touchdowns. They were able to catch two interceptions on Mahomes, one going to Antoine Winfield Jr off a deflection from the cornerback and the game winning interception from Devin White. The Chiefs shot themselves in the foot with a Super Bowl record eight first-half penalties for 95 yards and finishing with eleven for 120. For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, Kansas City was shut down and unable to run their offense.

A large part contributing to the Buccaneer’s success was the GOAT, who all game ripped apart the Chiefs secondary. And, of course, he became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl in a team’s home stadium, adding more records to his already illustrious career. Brady was lights out, going 21-29 (72.2%) 201 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to his longtime friend/teammate Rob Gronkowski, the other going to Antonio Brown. Gronk led the team with six receptions for 67 yards, and Fournette was a beast on the ground with 16 carries for 89 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown. The offense was moving throughout the entire game; the only mistake made by them was the botched snap late in the third quarter, giving the Buccaneers a 14-yard loss and forcing them to settle for a field goal putting them up 31-9 over Kansas City. It is funny that the people who scored for Tampa Bay were all brought in and not on this roster last season, which shows that Brady will throw the ball to the open man and not necessarily his best weapon.

While it would have been fun to see Devin White (12 total tackles, 1 Int) win Super Bowl MVP, it went to the GOAT because of his efficiency passing the ball and finding the endzone three times, giving him his 5^th Super Bowl MVP. At 43 years old, Tom Brady never slowed down once during the entire season, improving their deep attack as the season progressed. He defied all odds of ‘father time’ becoming the oldest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl. It seems like no matter how old Brady gets; it’s just not affecting him. With his 7^th Super Bowl win, he has eclipsed both the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise and the New England Patriots for most Super Bowl victories. Sadly, I did say that Kansas City was going to win, and the one thing I have learned from this Super Bowl, never doubt Brady and his ability to succeed. With 10 Super Bowl appearances, seven Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVP’s, Brady has arguably the most incredible resume in sports and solidified himself as the undisputed greatest of all time. The best show up in the most significant moments, and Brady was present throughout all 60 minutes of the Super Bowl. He did it once again, showing everyone why he is the best.