While 2021 hasn’t started off as we may have liked, we do have something to look forward to. On February 7, 2021, in Tampa, Florida, two of the NFL’s best teams will take the field in Super Bowl LV.  A few months ago, I couldn’t help but think about the possibility of this season getting cancelled, but ​thankfully, it hasn’t been. So, while I sit here and digest the long year’s past in both the world and, more specifically, the NFL, I thought it’d be interesting to look at which team ​Draftkings​ is projecting to come out on top this weekend–Kansas City or Tampa Bay, as well as offer my insight into who I think we have a good shot at seeing hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Let me start off by explaining what the odds I’m about to throw your way mean. The number next to the ‘+,’ for example, “+360,” is called a moneyline which represents the amount of cash per $100 you bet that you’ll receive if the selected team wins Super Bowl LV.  According to Draftkings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently listed at a moneyline of +145, given that they’re three-point underdogs.  While Tampa Bay is the mathematical underdog (and should be), are they really underdogs?

What we have on our hands here is a battle of father and son– the young and ever-so talented Patrick Mahomes versus the silent killer who never seems to fail in the harsh elements of January and February.  I’m talking about the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady, of course.  This matchup alone is enough to bring in millions of football fans alike without having ANY playoff ramifications.

This season, we’ve already been treated to this matchup once before when the Chiefs beat the Bucs 27-24.  The Chiefs got off to a fast (no-pun intended) start going up 17-0 in the second quarter after an electric first quarter performance by the Cheetah, Tyreek Hill, who connected with Mahomes for 203 yards and two touchdowns.  However, they were outscored 24-10 the rest of the game after TB12 almost worked some of his traditional magic, implanting in our minds (and that of Tony Romo, who stated it on air) that this matchup had serious potential to repeat at the same stadium come February.  

While I wasn’t sold on this definitely being this year’s Super Bowl delight back then, I certainly understand why it is after watching last weekend’s games.  In the NFC Championship, Tom Brady showed why he’s the G.O.A.T. by going into the Frozen Tundra and taking down the number one-seeded Green Bay Packers.  On the AFC side, the Chiefs took care of Buffalo rather handedly after a slow start.  What was really impressive about this victory was the great play of Kansas City’s defense, which hasn’t been said all that much this season.  It never let Josh Allen get into a groove which was key. 

Next weekend, this defense should have an even easier time containing the opposing quarterback.  But … it’s the G.O.A.T. times February which equals arguably the hardest quarterback ever to contain, even pushing age 75.  While the Buccaneers also played stout defense last weekend, we have seen a weakness in their pass defense ranking 21st in yards allowed and 20th in passing touchdowns allowed.  This could be a problem because Patrick Mahomes is a different breed and we all know this.

So what do I think will happen?  It’ll start as a shootout between the Buccaneers mix of youthful and elderly studs on offense and Kansas City’s fast paced group of superstars and then settle down towards the end of the first quarter.  Unlike in the November matchup, however, I think Tom Brady will do his thing and lead a game-winning-touchdown drive midway through the fourth quarter for a 36-34 victory.