Bruce Arians has taken the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl in his second season as the team’s head coach. This is monumental because the Buccaneers have not played for a title since 2002. Arians’ team will be the underdogs on Sunday, but this game is expected to be highly competitive and well-contested.
Here are some things to expect from Arians in Super Bowl LV.
Pressure Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes was hit with the injury bug in this year’s NFL Playoffs. Mahomes suffered a foot injury in the AFC Divisional Round against the Cleveland Browns. He stayed in the game, but in the third quarter, Mahomes left with a concussion.
Mahomes played the following week in the AFC Championship Game and looked strong, but it was clear that his mobility was limited. I expect Arians to dial up a lot of pressure in Super Bowl LV.
Another reason to pressure Mahomes is because Chiefs’ left tackle Eric Fisher will not play on Sunday. Fisher tore his Achilles tendon in the AFC Championship Game. The Buccaneers’ defensive front is known for tormenting opposing quarterbacks.
The team has recorded seven sacks in the playoffs.
Expect Arians to Roll the Dice
The Buccaneers are matching up with the best team in the NFL in Super Bowl LV. However, this is not an unwinnable game for Tampa Bay. In fact, the Buccaneers almost defeated the Chiefs in Week 12 in a narrow 27-24 loss.
Tampa Bay has what it takes to win, but they are still facing the defending Super Bowl champions. For the Buccaneers to earn their first ring since 2002, Arians will need to take some risks.
This is not uncommon for the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the playoffs, the Buccaneers are 2-for-2 on fourth down conversions. It will not surprise me if Arians keeps his offense out on the field in questionable situations on Sunday.
Put the Game on the Back of Tom Brady
Everyone is saying that the Buccaneers need to run the football to win the game. If Tampa Bay can run the ball effectively, it will make them tough to beat. However, the run game did not get the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl.
Tampa Bay has two talented backs in Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II. Although, Tampa Bay averaged less than 100 yards per game in the regular season on the ground.
I think Arians will try to run the ball, but for the Buccaneers to win, Tom Brady will have to carry the load. There is not a better quarterback in the Super Bowl than Brady, and Arians knows this fact.
I imagine that Arians is going to ride or die with Brady in Super Bowl LV. If the offensive line can keep Brady upright, the 43-year-old can cause a lot of damage to the Chiefs' secondary. This will be Brady’s 10th start in the Super Bowl. He has won six rings and four MVP awards.
Arians will put his trust in the G.O.A.T. on Sunday.
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