Super Bowl LV will be the most watched TV broadcast of 2021, bringing together approximately 100 million Americans for a few hours of unity and entertainment.
Why it matters: All Super Bowls are culturally important, but this year’s “Big Game” will reflect the country more than any previous one.
- American citizens, and even those watching from abroad will gauge the national state of affairs by what they see on the broadcast.
- “The game represents a strange opportunity for an American makeover – a new year, a new administration, a new outlook, ‘writes NYT’s John Branch.
The big picture: When the Chiefs won the Super Bowl LIV in Miami, “ social distance ” wasn’t even a term.
- 369 days later, it’s our way of life – and will be on full display in Tampa, where there will be more cardboard cutouts (30,000) than fans (25,000).
- At arrival to Raymond James Stadium, every fan is given a face mask, an item that was odd to us a year ago but is now a key member of the wallet-keys-phone checklist before leaving the house.
What to watch: The pregame festivities will be subdued and set the tone for a four-hour broadcast in which the NFL and CBS must strike a delicate balance between pure “escapism” and the reality of the moment.
- Three honorary captains – a nurse, a teacher and a navy veteran – will participate in the coin toss.
- Amanda Gorman, Fresh off her star turn at President Biden’s inauguration, an original poem will recite.
- The National anthem, a duet by Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church, preceded by a performance of HER “America the Beautiful”
It comes down to: Super Bowl LV is going to be an understated spectacle, but there is still the potential for a lot of magic, starting with Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady’s dream QB match.
Game details:
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Network: CBS
- Announcers: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo
- Weather forecast: 73 ° F, 56% chance of rain
Matchup: on one side of the ball …
The Chiefs its the poster child for “passing the eye test” (emphasis on pass).
Yes but: While everything stems from Patrick Mahomes’ unique talent, the evolving strategy of Andy Reid and OC Eric Bieniemy cannot be overlooked.
- 40.5% of Mahomes’ passes resulted in first downs this season (up 36.5% in 2019), probably thanks to the decision to cut on deep balls.
- Last year, Kansas City completed 18 passes over 40 feet in the league; this year that dropped to just eight, but they scored on six of them and led the league with 69 passes over 20 yards.
- This more balanced attack, using the very real deep threat to open up the center of the field to Travis Kelce and slot receivers paid big dividends.
What they say: “Everyone fits into the system because it’s built to include everyone,” writes Kevin Clark of The Ringer.
“From a GM standpoint, you don’t have to be pigeonholed about whether this guy is right for what we do. If we like the guy, and we love the skills, Coach will figure out a way to highlight it. . “
Chiefs GM Brett Veach
About defense … the Bucs are as well equipped as anyone to stop the juggernaut they face, with a trio of landing projects – Ndamukong Suh, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul – making up the league’s most terrifying pass rush.
- In the NFC title gameThe absence of Packers star OT David Bakhtiari opened the door for five Bucs sacks.
- How much can they get started in the same way with Chiefs star OT Eric Fisher?
Go deeper: 20 Statistics To Know (For The Win)
Matchup: On the other side of the ball …
“No risk, no cookie,” Bruce Arians’ gripping coaching philosophy, which can be loosely translated as “go big or go home”, turns out to be quite successful when implemented by the right staff.
- Tom Brady, like 2019 Bucs QB Jameis Winston, led the competition in target air yards (total air yards on all passes, complete or not) and threw the second most touchdowns.
- But while Winston The 2019 interception rate was by far the worst in the NFL (4.8%), Brady limited the damage such a freewheeling strategy can deliver (2%).
- Although 12 choices his most Brady’s since 2011, he also cracked 40 TD for the second time ever, freed by a new system and armed with the best receiving corps of his career.
What to watch: Sanctions, or more specifically, Tampa Bay’s ability to sign them. Bucs’ opponents were charged with 24 pass interference fines during the regular season, the highest total since at least 1985.
“If pass interference were a person, it would be the Buccaneers’ sixth most prolific receiver, adding more yardage to their passing play than the tight Cameron Brate.”
– Mike Tanier, NYT
About defense … Pressurizing Brady is paramount as his 84.3 QBR was fifth best this year without showing any pressure, but his 6.4 QBR (!!!) was under pressure in 30th place.
- Here, the Chiefs have matchup perks, as stud dogs Chris Jones and Frank Clark could tease the waiting duo of Bucs Ali Marpet and Aaron Stinnie, both of whom are at the bottom of the pass-block win.
Go deeper: All 55 Super Bowl QB Matchups, Ranked (WashPost)
Meet the players who have signed out
66 players have signed out of the NFL season because of the pandemic. Four of them play for the Chiefs and Bucs. These are their stories.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (RG, Chiefs): The 2014 sixth round pick was one of six Chiefs who played every attacking snap in Super Bowl LIV.
- Why he unsubscribed: He was the first NFL player to formally opt out, but chose to use his medical degree and worked in a long-term care facility near his native Montreal.
- “If I have to take risks,” he wrote in his opt-out statement, “I’ll do it by taking care of patients.”
Damien Williams (RB, Chiefs): From 2014 undrafted free agent to Super Bowl star. His line in last year’s game (133 yards, 2 TD) was as good as anyone’s.
- Why he unsubscribed: After his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he decided it was more important to be by her side than anything else.
- “My mom is my rock, my everything, so in a tough time like this, I think I have to be next to her every step of the way. “
Brad Seaton (OT, Bucs): The 2017 seventh round pick, and Bucs’ only opt-out, has bounced off the league, but has yet to play for a moment in his NFL career.
- Why he unsubscribed: “While I love the sport and know that I will miss all aspects of being part of this year’s team, in the end I decided to put the health and safety of my family first,” He wrote.
Lucas Niang (OL, Chiefs): The TCU rookie third-rounder was unlikely to start this year, but was seen as a possible future replacement for veteran tackle Eric Fisher … who misses the Super Bowl with an Achilles tendon injury.
- Why he unsubscribed: He never gave details, but of course he never had to.
- Of interest: He was one of five rookies, but the only one to withdraw.
Go deeper: What happened to the players who signed out? (ESPN)