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Super Bowl LV is fast approaching, and it promises to be one of the great matchups in recent memory. The poster boy for the NFL in Patrick Mahomes rolls into Tampa Bay to take on the greatest to ever do it in Tom Brady.
While many fans think the game will be won in one area or another, here at Franchise Sports we look into the weapons that Andy Reid has at his disposal as he looks for back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
It is no secret that Reid has an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the ball. Now it is time to look at who the Bucs are going to have to stop if Brady wants ring number seven.
Patrick Mahomes
This is a no brainer. Everyone knows what a weapon he is either throwing or running the ball and the Bucs defensive line must slow him down as much as possible. It will largely fall on players like Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, and even Devin White on the blitz to get after Mahomes and not give him time in the pocket.
No matter how good your back end is, if Mahomes is allowed time, he is going to pick you apart and if Tampa Bay wants to have a hope of coming out on top, then Mahomes has to be kept in check.
Tyreek Hill
The “cheetah” is perhaps the move explosive receiver in the league. His outrageous speed, route running, and his uncanny ability to always find space make him a serious threat. If you look at his two playoff games, against Cleveland and the Bills, and you can see just how damaging he can be.
Hill has 17 catches for 282 yards in just two games. He has no touchdowns but that does not diminish his importance. Against the Bills, Hill averaged 19.1 yards per reception, which shows his big-play threat. He can cut you up in the slot or on a go route on the outside.
It is almost at the stage where you have to double him regardless of where he lines up. The Bucs defence, led by Devin White, cannot afford Hill to get loose on the secondary otherwise the Chiefs will be putting up points at will.
Travis Kelce
Perhaps Patrick Mahomes biggest weapon. The tight end is simply unguardable. He is too quick for linebackers and too strong for players in the secondary. Like Hill, Kelce showed up big time in his two playoff games this season.
The tight end had 18 catches for 227 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland and Buffalo. His 13 catch, 118-yard two-touchdown performance against the Bills set a record for the most receptions in a Conference Championship game, going past Cowboy Michael Irvin who had the record for his performance against the 49ers in 1994.
Like Hill, Kelce is a true game-changer and has to be shutdown. He is the ultimate security blanket for Mahomes and has to be kept in check.
These three are the key for Kansas City to claim back to back Super Bowl victories. If Brady and his Bucs want to have any hope, then they must be slowed down.
The Chiefs are a high octane offense and can put some serious numbers up and Brady is going to have to keep pace with them if he wants a shot at his seventh Super Bowl ring.
This is going to be must-watch football.
