Super Bowl LV will be the most watched TV show of 2021, bringing together about 100 million Americans for a few hours of unity and entertainment.
Why does it matter: All Super Bowls are culturally important, but this year’s “Big Game”, more than any other before, will provide a reflection of the country.
- American citizens, and even those who watch from abroad will assess the national state of affairs by what they see in the broadcast.
- “The game represents a strange chance for an American makeover – a new year, a new administration, a new perspective “, writes John Branch from NYT.
The whole picture: When the Chiefs won the LIV Super Bowl in Miami, “social distancing” was not even a term.
- 369 days later, it’s our way of life – and it will be fully displayed in Tampa, where there will be more cardboard cutouts (30,000) than fans (25,000).
- Entrance At Raymond James Stadium, every fan will be given a face mask, an object that was foreign to us a year ago, but is now an important member of the phone-key wallet checklist before leaving home.
What to look for: Pre-game festivities will be reduced, setting the tone for a four-hour broadcast in which the NFL and CBS must find a delicate balance between pure “escapism” and the reality of the moment.
- Three honorary captains – a nurse, a teacher and a marine veteran – will participate in the coin toss.
- Amanda Gorman, freshly her star tower at the inauguration of President Biden, will recite an original poem.
- National anthem, a duet by Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church, will be preceded by a show of “America the Beautiful” by HER
Bottom line: Super Bowl LV will be a memorable show, but there is still a lot of magic potential, starting with the dream match QB of Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
Game details:
- Time: 18:30 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 bosses are the baby poster for “passing the eye test” (emphasis on pass).
Yes but: While it all stems from Patrick Mahomes’ unique talent, the evolving strategy of Andy Reid and OC Eric Bieniemy cannot be overlooked.
- 40.5% of Muhammad’s permits resulted in the first descents this season (up from 36.5% in 2019), probably due to the decision to reduce deep balls.
- Last year, Kansas City completed an 18-yard pass over 40 yards; this year, it dropped to just eight, but they scored on six of them and led the league with 69 20-meter passes.
- This more balanced attack, using the real deep threat to open the midfield for Travis Kelce and the slot receivers, he paid big dividends.
What are they saying: “Everyone fits the system, because the system is designed to include everyone,” writes The Ringer’s Kevin Clark.
“From GM’s point of view, you don’t have to wonder if this guy fits in well with what we do. If we like the type and we like the skill set, the coach will find a way to highlight it. . “
– GM chiefs Brett Veach
In defense … Bucs are as well equipped as anyone to stop the juggler they face, with a trio of recovery projects – Ndamukong Suh, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul – forming the league’s scariest pass.
- In the NFC title gameThe absence of the Packers star, the absence of David Bakhtiari, opened the door for five Bucs bags.
- As many as I can do it with Chiefs OT star Eric Fisher in a similar way?
Go deeper: 20 stats to know (for winnings)
Matchup: On the other side of the ball …
“No risk, no cookies” Bruce Arians’ engaging philosophy, which could be vaguely translated as “go big or go home,” proves to be quite successful when implemented by the right staff.
- Tom Brady, like Bucs QB Jameis Winston in 2019, he led the league in the planned airfields (total airfields on all passes, complete or not) and threw second with the most touchdowns.
- But while Winston’s The interception rate in 2019 was by far the worst in the NFL (4.8%), Brady limited the damage that such a freewheeling strategy is prone to cause (2%).
- Although 12 choices are the best of Brady since 2011, also released 40 TD for the second time ever, released by a new system and armed with the best receiving body of his career.
What to look for: Penalties, or more specifically, Tampa Bay’s ability to attract them. Bucs’ opponents were charged with 24 interference penalties during the regular season, the highest total since at least 1985.
“If the passing interference were a person, he would be the Buccaneers’ sixth most productive receiver, contributing more to their way of passing than Cameron Brate.”
– Mike Tanier, NYT
In defense … pressure on Brady is of paramount importance, as 84.3 QBR this year without seeing the pressure was the fifth best, but 6.4 QBR (!!!) under pressure ranked 30th.
- Here, the bosses they have matching advantages, as lace officers Chris Jones and Frank Clark could intimidate Bucs’ security duo, Ali Marpet and Aaron Stinnie, who both rank close to the bottom in terms of blocking gains.
Go deeper: All 55 Super Bowl QB matches, ranked (WashPost)
Meet the players who have given up
66 players gave up from the NFL season due to the pandemic. Four of them play for the Chiefs and Bucs. These are their stories.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (RG, Chiefs): The pick in the sixth round of 2014 was one of six bosses who played every offensive shot in Super Bowl LIV.
- Why he gave up: He was the first NFL player to officially resign, choosing instead to use his medical degree, working at a long-term care facility near his native Montreal.
- “If I want to risk” wrote in his waiver statement, “I’ll do it by caring for patients.”
Damien Williams (RB, Chiefs): From 2014 free raw agent to Super Bowl star. His line in last year’s game (133 total yards, 2 TDs) was as good as anyone’s.
- Why he gave up: After his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he decided that being with her was more important than anything else.
- “My mother is my rock, everything, so in a tough time like this, I think I should be by her side every step of the way. “
Brad Seaton (OT, Bucs): The pick in the seventh round of 2017 and giving up the only Bucs came back around the league, but they haven’t played a shot in his NFL career yet.
- Why he gave up: “While I love the sport and know that I will miss all aspects of this year’s team, I have finally decided to put family health and safety first.” he wrote.
Lucas Niang (OL, Chiefs): TCU’s third-round rookie was unlikely to start this year, but he was seen as a possible future replacement for veteran striker Eric Fisher … who is missing the Super Bowl with an Achilles injury.
- Why he gave up: He never gave details, but of course he never had to.
- Note: He was one of the five beginners, but the only one recruited, to give up.
Go deeper: What happened to the players who gave up? (ESPN)