SUper Bowl Power RankingS

Well, the regular season is done. The playoffs are done. Now all that is left is the Super Bowl and our Super Bowl Power Rankings. In a season that was filled with doubt and uncertainty, we have made it to the pinnacle of the sport we love. On February 7th 2021 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs will face off – the second time this season, but this time with the greatest prize of all up for grabs. The Lombardi Trophy. Tom Brady is no stranger to the final matchup of the NFL season but this one is a first for everyone.

Tampa Bay's Route

Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020

Tampa Bay will be the first team to play in a home Super Bowl. Even without a stadium full of your own fans, there is a boost to playing at your home stadium. Tampa Bay did it the hard way as they went on the road to play three playoff matches. First, they beat the Washington Football Team in Washington. After that they went on the road to play divisional rivals the New Orleans Saints. After losing to them twice in the regular season, the Buccaneers were too much for Drew Brees and his Saints. 

Finally, the Buccaneers had to travel to Wisconsin and take on the Green Bay Packers. Tampa dismantled this Packers team in Week Six of the regular season but Green Bay had improved vastly since then. After some poor defensive plays from Green Bay and some more excellence from Tom Brady, the Buccaneers were able to march onto the Super Bowl. Leaving Aaron Rodgers on the losing side of a Conference Championship Game again.

Kansas City's route

Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs 2020

Playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the reigning Super Bowl Champions the Kansas City Chiefs. After winning their division the Chiefs earned the top seed in the AFC and the first-round bye. Kansas would then welcome the Cleveland Browns into Arrowhead for a divisional-round matchup. Patrick Mahomes would go out with an injury and force Andy Reid to throw Chad Henne into the mix. Henne was able to hold on for the win and force a Championship matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

On Championship Sunday everything was geared up for a shootout between two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen were mentioned in the race for the MVP. Everything was geared up for a great game. Buffalo shot out to a 9-0 lead but then the Kansas monster woke up. Mahomes and crew went on to pile up 38 points as they advanced to the Super Bowl for the second straight year.

 Andy Reid now has the chance to join the likes of the 1966-67 Packers, 72-73 Miami Dolphins, 74-75 and 78-79 Pittsburgh Steelers, 88-89 San Francisco 49ers, 92-93 Dallas Cowboys, 97-98 Denver Broncos and the 2003-04 New England Patriots and win back to back Super Bowl titles.

To do that he will need to overcome a strong Tampa Bay team. A Tampa Bay team that has the greatest QB to ever do it. Patrick Mahomes might have something to say about that as he looks capable of challenging Brady for the title of G.O.A.T. Anyway enough build-up, onto the Super Bowl Power Rankings we go.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Super Bowl Power Rankings
Credit: Jeffrey Phelps (Associated Press)

Going into their Conference Championship Game the Buccaneers were already missing Antonio Brown and Antoine Winfield Jnr due to injury. To make matters worse they then lost starting safety Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead is hopeful to make it back in the starting lineup but for Brown and Winfield the wait will go on till next week. Some positive injury news for the Buccaneers was the return of the big nose tackle Vita Vea. After suffering a fractured ankle in Week Five he hadn’t played until the Conference Championship. 

With Vea commanding a double team in the middle, that leaves edge rushers Shaquill Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul free to focus on getting to the passer. With Kansas City missing their left tackle, Eric Fisher, this could be huge for the Buccaneers. After watching Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill torch their secondary to the tune of 246 yards and three scores in their Week 12 matchup they will be hoping to get both members of their secondary back. 

Tampa Bays’ defense has excelled through the playoffs but they face a different, much tougher, challenge against this Kansas City team. With so many options at his disposal, Mahomes has the ability to make any defense look daft. Tedd Bowles will need to dial up something special if he wants to help bring another Super Bowl to Tampa Bay.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Super Bowl Power Rankings
Credit: Yahoo Sports

Well, here we are again. Kansas City back in the Super Bowl. Back at the start of the season, everyone thought that Tampa Bay was building a dream team. Has the real dream team been the Kansas City Chiefs all along? Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback right now. Travis Kelce is the best tight end right now. Tyreek Hill is one of the best receivers right now. Tyrann Mathieu is one of the best defensive players right now. Kansas City are just difficult to stop.

The biggest concern for the Chiefs going into the game is the fitness of Mahomes. After his stint in the concussion protocol, it’s the turf toe injury that could hamper him. Added into the mix the fact that they will be without their left guard, Eric Fisher. Mahomes is the best quarterback on third down with his ability to scramble and get the first. If his toe prevents his scrambling, and the back-up tackle can’t protect him then he could find himself in a bit of bother.

That being said he is also excellent in the pocket. If he can be protected then he will be able to find one of the many weapons that he has at his disposal. Travis Kelce is on a tear just now and is furthering his credentials as the greatest Tight End to ever do it. The connection between Mahomes and Kelce is like no other and Tampa will have to disrupt Kelce at the line (if that’s even possible) if they have any shot slowing them down.

Never-mind the receivers, the Kansas City Chiefs have two running backs who are capable of creating big plays. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a strong runner who can run right at the Tampa linebackers and punch them in the mouth. Le-Veon Bell is now a veteran and even though he hasn’t excelled as a Chiefs player he is more than capable of something big. Needless to say, this game shapes up to be a classic with both teams deservedly competing in it.

MArk Ross

NFL Analyst

5/5