On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, winning by a score of 31-9.
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams failing to convert on third down on their opening drives. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady failed to connect with Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, while QB Patrick Mahomes just wasn’t able to get on the same page with speedy target Mecole Hardman.
The Buccaneers’ second drive was again unsuccessful, with Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark disrupting the pocket to sack Brady on third down. On the ensuing possession for Kansas City, Mahomes was able to march the Chiefs into Buccaneers territory. However, Mahomes’ last-second deep pass would bounce off speedy wide-receiver Tyreek Hill’s helmet. Kicker Harrison Butker would convert on a 49-yard field goal to score the first points of the game and give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead.
As the first quarter wound down, the Buccaneers were finally able to move the ball, headed by the rushing attack of running back Leonard Fournette and a couple of big passing plays. The drive ended with Brady finding his longtime tight end Rob Gronkowski for a touchdown, surprisingly giving Brady his first-ever touchdown in the first quarter of a Super Bowl.
The Buccaneers defense would step up during the Chiefs’ ensuing drive, forcing a three-and-out for Brady and the offense to add to their lead. The Buccaneers would force the ball all the way down to the Chiefs’ goal line. The Chiefs’ defense would come up with a clutch goal-line stand on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.
However, not much was made from this opportunity, as the Chiefs’ lack of protection for Mahomes and a huge drop by the normally reliable Travis Kelce on third down would force another three-and-out. A shanked punt by Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend gave the Buccaneers fantastic field position.
However, a tipped pass intended for Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans would be intercepted by the Chiefs’ All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, but a controversial holding penalty was called on the Chiefs, giving the Buccaneers a fresh set of downs. While the Chiefs were able to force a fourth down and a field goal, a Chiefs player would commit a neutral zone infraction on the ensuing kick, giving the Buccaneers new life. Gronkowski would cash in with another touchdown immediately after, extending the Buccaneers’ lead to 14-3.
Down two scores but with possession and the ball after halftime, the Chiefs weren’t out of the game just yet. However, with injuries to starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, the Buccaneers were able to overwhelm Mahomes, pressuring him for a Super Bowl record 29 times. Tampa’s versatility on the defensive line allowed them to double Kelce and Hill on most plays while leaving the secondary in a manageable one vs. one situation against the rest of the Chiefs’ receivers.
In the ensuing drive, however, it looked as if Mahomes had finally adapted to the Buccaneers’ relentless pass rush. He led an impressive five-minute drive into the red zone but was only able to come up with three points as the Chiefs’ offensive line faltered once again.
With under a minute left in the half, Brady did what he did best, with the help of some costly penalties committed by the Chiefs. With just 24 seconds left in the half, Brady would overthrow Evans deep into Chiefs territory, but a pass interference would give the Buccaneers a manageable field position near the end of the half. On first-and-goal, the Buccaneers would fail to score, but a controversial pass interference penalty would be called on Mathieu, putting the Buccaneers at the one-yard line. Former superstar WR and midseason pickup Antonio Brown would cash in the very next play, giving Tampa Bay a 21-6 lead entering halftime.
As their first two drives of the game stalled, the Buccaneers were able to establish the running attack, which opened up everything for Brady. On the other hand, the Chiefs’ failure to block effectively for Mahomes was costing them in the biggest game of the year, while costly penalties committed by the defense only added fuel to the fire. Going into the half, things did not look good for the Chiefs.
After a stunning halftime performance by the Weeknd, the Chiefs offense started off the second half with great offensive rhythm, but once again stalled inside Tampa Bay territory, settling for another field goal. The deficit would be cut down to 12 points, a manageable margin.
The Buccaneers would not let up, however. Fournette would take over on the Buccaneers’ opening possession of the second half, gaining 56 yards from scrimmage throughout the drive, capitalized by a 27-yard rushing touchdown. The Buccaneers extended their lead to 19 points, at a score of 28-9.
The Chiefs next drive started poorly as after a 3-yard run on first, Mahomes was sacked for a loss of 6 yards on second down. Facing third and 13 down 19, Mahomes took a deep shot but was intercepted by rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The Buccaneers kicked a field goal to go up 31-9, but were able to drain the clock to two minutes left in the quarter. The Chiefs managed to put up a good red zone drive, but could not come away with a touchdown, effectively sealing the victory for the Buccaneers.
For Brady, this victory marked his seventh title, more than any other franchise in history. He also took home his fifth Super Bowl MVP, furthering his status as the greatest of all time.
For the Buccaneers, the title marked their second championship ever and will be cherished for a while after years of hardship.
Article by Jackson Buss of Walter Johnson High School
Photo courtesy of Dennis C. Abrams via a Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0 License
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