The Kansas City Chiefs have made it back to the Super Bowl after a long season, and are only hours from taking the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Our writers have made their predictions for Super Bowl LV and everyone believes the Chiefs will repeat as champions again.
In a season where, at times, we weren’t sure it would even reach this point, we have finally made it to Super Bowl Sunday. For the second year in a row, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs to the big game. Last year, the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in comeback fashion to secure the Lombardi.
For the second year in a row, the Chiefs clinched a first-round playoff bye. After their bye, they faced the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Divisional. While the Chiefs ultimately won, every Chiefs’ fan worst nightmare occurred: Mahomes suffered an injury. Mahomes was knocked out of the game early with a concussion, but backup quarterback Chad Henne put the team on his back and, along with Andy Reid’s bold play calling, pulled off a close 22-17 win.
Next, the Chiefs had to get ready for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. While there was some doubt that Mahomes would be healthy enough to play, most thought he would play. He ended up clearing concussion protocol and helped deliver the Chiefs to the Super Bowl with a 38-24 win.
The Buccaneers made it to the Super Bowl with quarterback Tom Brady under center after defeating the Washington Football Team in the Wild Card round, the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round, and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship. While this time he’s on a different team, we will get to see another Brady-versus-Mahomes matchup.
AA writers predict the Chiefs will win Super Bowl LV over the Buccaneers.
With a week off after the championship games, both teams have gotten the opportunity to get healthier. For the Buccaneers, only two players have injury designations: wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Cameron Brate, who are both listed as questionable.
The Chiefs will be missing offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who tore his achilles against the Bills, and linebacker Willie Gay who suffered a torn meniscus in practice. Both of these players were placed on injured reserve. The only other player on the report for the Chiefs is wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who is questionable.
Here’s a rundown of our full writer predictions for Super Bowl LV:
Drew Brooks: Chiefs 38, Buccaneers 31
A lot of people think this game will be a blowout and, with how the first time this season these two teams matched up, I agree. However, regardless of the Buccaneers team, this is Tom Brady and he’s not going to go down without a fight. I think this is going to be a really great Super Bowl with the Chiefs coming out on top. I think Tyreek Hill wins Super Bowl MVP with a monster performance.
Kevin Burd: Chiefs 41, Buccaneers 24
The Buccaneers will make some adjustments to cover Tyreek Hill better than they did in Week 12. Nonetheless, the Chiefs still have multiple other weapons that can take over. The first half will be more of a defensive battle, but the Kansas City offense will take over in the second half. The Chiefs will pull away and repeat as Super Bowl champions
Matt Conner: Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 10
I think the Chiefs make a complete team statement against the greatest QB of all time and win their second straight Super Bowl title.
Bransen Gibson: Chiefs 31, Buccaneers 20
This is it. The big one. Throughout the season the Chiefs have had one goal: to run it back. Now they have the opportunity to do just that. Everything has been building to this and come Sunday, I believe the Chiefs will become the ninth NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. It won’t be easy, but Kansas City will prove to be too good for Tampa Bay. I’m tipping the Chiefs to repeat history and win.
Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 38, Buccaneers 27
Call me a homer, but I just believe the combination of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce are just too good to stop. Tom Brady and the Bucs will put up some points, but the KC defense will also make some plays and the offense really puts on a show. The Chiefs complete operation Run it Back.
Scott Loring: Chiefs 38, Buccaneers 20
It seems like everyone wants to say that the Bucs’ ability to get after Patrick Mahomes with their front four will determine the outcome of the game. When it’s all said and done, they’ll be talking about the Chiefs’ defensive front, and the pressure generated by Steve Spagnuolo that led to a Chiefs blowout win.
Byron Smith: Chiefs 56, Buccaneers 42
According to Tyreek Hill, Patrick Mahomes has never been this zoned in and pumped up. Playoff Brady didn’t go anywhere, he just took a year off. These defenses might as well stay home because I think this is a fireworks show about to blow open from the gun. I expect Travis Kelce to be the difference maker, social distancing himself from linebackers for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and a Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Kelly Thompson: Chiefs 44, Buccaneers 27
Everyone knows the stats about Andy Reid off a bye, but the Chiefs are even bet with Patrick Mahomes off a bye. In fact, they’re 10-0 with an extra week of prep since the reigning Super Bowl MVP took over as the starter in KC. The media and NFL are pushing the narrative of a close game – they have to, right? But I don’t see it. The Chiefs are the best team in the NFL and they’ll leave no doubt about it on Sunday night. Brady leads the Bucs to 10 garbage time points in a 4th quarter blowout, but the score still isn’t close.
Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 41, Buccaneers 35
The winner of this game will have to score in 40’s. Both defenses are capable of making an impact late in a game. But if Mahomes gets the ball for a final drive, this is Kansas City’s Super Bowl.
Zachary White: Chiefs 31, Buccaneers 24
It’s finally here! I anticipate a great game from both teams with all the time to prepare. However, I don’t know if things will be much different for Tampa Bay this time. Andy Reid has two weeks to prepare and with how the offense and defense looked against the Bills, I expect the Chiefs to run it back! Mahomes is my Super Bowl MVP again and I predict the Chiefs to win.
Thomas Welte: Chiefs 41, Buccaneers 38
No matter how much this game has been talked about, I’m not sure the historical significance of the fifth matchup between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes is fully understood. The tie-breaking matchup is on the biggest stage in the NFL world and will see both competitors bringing their best. The Chiefs have some adversity to overcome with a patchwork offensive line, but the Mahomes-led Chiefs thrive under pressure. I’m expecting this game to be an instant classic and down to the wire – it might take some years off the life expectancy of Chiefs Kingdom. Have faith.