Super Bowl LV is the most select TV show of 2021, bringing together about 100 million Americans for a few hours of unity and entertainment.
Why it matters: All Super Bowls are of cultural importance, but this year’s ‘Big Game’, more than any before, will provide a reflection of the country.
- American citizens, and even those watching from abroad will determine the national state of affairs according to what they see on the broadcast.
- “The game represents a strange opportunity for American makeup – a new year, a new administration, a new outlook, ‘writes John Branch of NYT.
The whole picture: When the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV in Miami, ‘social distance’ was not even a term.
- 369 days later, this is our way of life – and will be fully exhibited in Tampa, where there will be more cardboard lids (30,000) than fans (25,000).
- By subscription At Raymond James Stadium, every fan will receive a face mask, an object that was foreign to us a year ago, but which is now an important member of the checklist for the wallet keys before leaving the house.
What to look for: The predicted festivities will be muted, setting the tone for a four-hour broadcast in which the NFL and CBS must find a fine balance between pure ‘escapism’ and the reality of the moment.
- Three honorary captains – a nurse, teacher and a Marine veteran – will participate in the coin toss.
- Amanda Gorman, a new twist of her stars at President Biden’s inauguration will recite an original poem.
- The national anthem, a duet by Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church, preceded by a performance of “America the Beautiful” by HER
The conclusion: Super Bowl LV will be a restrained spectacle, but there is still potential for a lot of magic, starting with the dream version 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
Match: On one side of the ball …
The Chiefs is the poster child for ‘passing the eye test’ (emphasis on pass by).
Yes, but: While everything stems from the unique talent of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy’s evolving strategy can not be overlooked.
- 40.5% of Mahomes’ pass led for the first time this season (up from 36.5% in 2019), probably thanks to the decision to reduce deep balls.
- Last year, Kansas City completed a league high of 18 passes over 40 yards; this year it dropped to just eight, but they scored six points and led the league with 69 passes over 20 yards.
- This more balanced attack, using the very real deep threat to open up Travis Kelce and lock receivers in the middle of the field paid big dividends.
What they say: “Everyone fits the system, because the system is built to include everyone,” writes Kevin Clark, The Ringer.
“From a GM point of view, you do not have to make the devil wonder if this guy is suitable for what we do. If we like the man, and we like the skill, Coach will figure out a way to figure it out. lig. “
– Chiefs, GM Brett Veach
In defense … the Bucs are just as well-equipped as stopping the juggernaut they face, with three recycling projects – Ndamukong Suh, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul – forming the league’s most terrifying pace.
- In the NFC title race, The absence of Packers star David Bakhtiari’s absence has opened the door for five Bucs bags.
- How much can they not with Chiefs star OT Eric Fisher in the same way?
Go deeper: 20 Statistics to Know (For The Win)
Match: On the other side of the ball …
“No risk, no biscuit,” Bruce Arians’ gripping coaching philosophy, which can be loosely translated as’ go big or go home ‘, seems to be quite successful if applied by the right staff.
- Tom Brady, like 2019 Bucs QB Jameis Winston, led the league in proposed airfields (total airfields on all passes, complete or not) and threw the second most touchdowns.
- But while Winston’s The 2019 interception rate was by far the NFL’s worst (4.8%). Brady limited the damage such a freewheel strategy tends to deliver (2%).
- Although 12 choices Brady is the most since 2011, he also cracked 40 TD for the second time ever, liberated by a new system and armed with the best reception of his career.
What to look for: Penalties, or more specifically, the ability of Tampa Bay to pull it off. Bucs’ opponents have been charged with 24 penalties during the regular season, the highest total since at least 1985.
“If a person were a passing interception, it would be the Buccaneers’ sixth most productive receiver, who would make a greater contribution to their passing game than Cameron Brate.”
– Mike Tanier, NYT
In defense … the pressure on Brady is of the utmost importance, as his 84.3 QBR this year without seeing pressure was the fifth best, but his 6.4 QBR (!!!) under pressure took 30th place.
- Here, the Chiefs does have advantages, as studs Chris Jones and Frank Clark can bully the Bucs’ waiting duo Ali Marpet and Aaron Stinnie, who both win near the bottom of the standings in the pass rate.
Go deeper: All 55 Super Bowl QB matches, ranked (WashPost)
Meet the players who have selected
66 players have moved in of 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 sixth-round pick in 2014 was one of six Chiefs to play every offensive turn in Super Bowl LIV.
- Why he signed up: He was the first NFL player to formally choose to pursue his medical degree and work in a long-term care facility near his native Montreal.
- “If I want to take risks,” he wrote in his opt-out statement, “I will do this to care for patients.”
Damien Williams (RB, Chiefs): From 2014 a free agent to Super Bowl star. His line in last year’s game (133 yards, 2 TDs) was just as good as anyone’s.
- Why he signed up: After his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he decided that it was more important than anything else to be by her side.
- ‘My mother is my rock, my everything, so during a difficult time like this, I think I should be next to her every step of the way. ‘
Brad Seaton (OT, Bucs): The seventh-round pick in 2017, and the stand-alone Bucs opt-out, jumped into the league but has yet to play a turn in his NFL career.
- Why he signed up: “Although I love the sport very much and know that I will miss all aspects of this part of this year, I finally decided to put the health and safety of my family first,” he wrote.
Lucas Niang (OL, Chiefs): The TCU rookie third player would probably not start this year, but is seen as a possible future replacement for veteran pack Eric Fisher … who is missing the Super Bowl with an Achilles injury.
- Why he signed up: He never provided details, but of course he never had to.
- Remarkable: He was one of five rookies, but the only one set up to sign out.
Go deeper: What also happened to the players who selected? (ESPN)