The 2020 NFL season was capped off on Sunday night with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win Super Bowl LV. The Bucs became the first team in NFL history to win the title while playing in their home stadium, just one of the many clear advantages Tampa had over Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the rest of the Chiefs.
BRADY ADDS TO HALL OF FAME LEGACY
In his first year with the Buccaneers, Tom Brady captured his seventh Super Bowl ring and fifth MVP honor, after winning six and four, respectively, with the New England Patriots. The 43-year old threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns - two to longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski - to lead the Bucs to their first championship since 2003.
Brady has now won more Super Bowls than any other franchise in NFL history, surpassing the six won by New England and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His five MVP awards are also the most ever, with Joe Montana sitting in second with three. And while the legendary QB racked up the individual accolades, he was quick to credit those around him.
“It’s great to see big-time players making big-time plays,” Brady said. “Just love what they added to the team. Gronk is an unbelievable player, teammate, talent, work ethic, and commitment. A.B., since he got here, he’s done everything the right way. So impressed by him, proud of him. It takes a lot of people for us to get to this point. We all have great support systems in place, and I think everybody should be celebrating them tonight.”
MAHOMES COMES UP SHORT
On the opposite side, the Chiefs were only able to muster three field goals as Tampa’s potent defense stifled the league’s most lethal offense all game long. In the end, it resulted in Patrick Mahomes’ worst game he’s ever played - pro or college.
“They were the better team today,” Mahomes said. “They beat us pretty good, the worst I think I’ve been beaten in a long time".
“They took away our deep stuff. They took away the sidelines, and they did a good job of rallying to the football and making tackles. We weren’t executing early, had a few miscues. Guys were not on the same page. Credit to them. They played a heck of a game defensively and offensively to beat us.”
Mahomes was looking to become the first player in NFL history to win two Super Bowls and two Super Bowl MVPs by the time he was 25, but it was not to be. He finished the game 26-of-49 for 270 yards and two interceptions.
KC STILL FAVORITES?
Despite the loss, the Chiefs are installed as the early betting-line favorites to win the Super Bowl next year at 11-2. Tom Brady wasted no time declaring his plans for next year, reaffirming his desire to continue playing, and the Bucs open with the third shortest odds, installed at 11-1 to repeat. The Packers are sandwiched in the middle of the two Super Bowl participants with 9-1 odds after back-to-back NFC Championship appearances.
The Lions, Jets, and Texans have the longest odds at 100-1.
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