Super Bowl 55: Early pick, score prediction for Buccaneers vs. Chiefs

What to expect from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55

While the Chiefs’ plan of attack will likely be a hearty helping of Mahomes, I don’t think the Buccaneers will mirror that. Sure, they’ll put the ball in Brady’s hands plenty, but don’t be surprised if they take a more conservative approach — at least to start the game.

Why? Because they want to keep the ball out of Mahomes’ hands as much as possible. And as we say against the Packers, the Buccaneers’ front five wasn’t doing the best of jobs of giving Brady time to throw. With that in mind, I expect Bruce Arians will lean evenly on the ground game to move the ball, burn the clock and win the time of possession.

Then again, unless the Tampa Bay defense can do to Mahomes what they did to Aaron Rodgers, the run game could be abandoned sooner than expected. While the Buccaneers have been great at slowing the ground game in 2020, they haven’t excelled at stopping the pass. Especially if Antoine Winfield Jr. still can’t go, the Tampa Bay secondary could be in for a long game.

Despite the importance of the run, it’ll ultimately come down to Brady to lead the Buccaneers to victory on Super Bowl Sunday. He’s the GOAT and has been in this situation more than nearly anyone else. If the Buccaneers are to win it, it’ll have to come on the arm of Brady.