The NFL season flew faster than Tyreek Hill or Scotty Miller can run a go route down the field.

Not really, but you get the point.

We’ve finally reached my favorite Holiday of the year, Super Bowl Sunday.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted and lost 27-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium once so far this season. Now the Buccaneers get a chance to redeem themselves in their home stadium on the NFL’s biggest stage.

2 GOATS

This game will come down to two of the most premier players at the most premier position in NFL history, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. No NFL player has defied father time and has played as well as Brady at an old age.

It is ignorant if you deny his greatness in the postseason whether you like him or not.

The 43-year-old is making his tenth Super Bowl appearance. Don’t forget he’s won six of them as well tying himself with the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. You can also sprinkle in that he has won four Super Bowl MVPs too.

The ageless wonder overcame the biggest deficit in the championship game’s history by mounting 31 unanswered points in Super Bowl 51 after being down 28-3. Sorry Atlanta Falcons fans for the PTSD.

That all speaks for itself.

Patrick Mahomes is one of the league’s fastest rising stars to date and there has been nobody like him at the quarterback position in NFL history.

He will have two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl ring and MVP, one NFL MVP award, and three AFC championship game appearances all through only three seasons starting. Him and Peyton Manning are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to have thrown for 50 touchdown passes and 5,000 yards in a single season.

Mahomes is only getting better and smarter playing the game as well. He didn’t even understand how to read coverages and defenses until around last season. The 25-year-old still believes he can improve mentally and take his game to a “whole ‘nother level.”

In my opinion, Patrick Mahomes is on the right track to become the greatest player of all time if he continues at the level he has played at thus far.

X Factors

Kansas City Offense: Mike Remmers, OT

Remmers will more than likely replace Eric Fisher at left tackle after Fisher tore his Achilles in the AFC Championship Game. Remmers has some experience at left tackle, but he will have to deal with a vicious Buccaneers’ defensive line.

Tampa Bay Defense: Lavonte David, LB

Lavonte David may be the most underrated player in football. He is a Pro Bowl or All-Pro snub year after year all because his stat sheet isn’t impressive. David is a versatile anchor for Tampa Bay’s defense and is critical in stunts and the run game.

Tampa Bay Offense: Tom Brady, QB

Huh, that Brady guy again. Brady can’t turn over the ball like how he did last week against the Packers if Tampa Bay wants to win this game.

Kansas City Defense: Daniel Sorensen, Safety

Dirty Dan was a huge benefactor for the Chiefs last season in the playoff run and his versatility will be key in this game. He can pretty much do it all, but his coverage will be his most important tool versus Tampa Bay’s dream offense.

Prediction

The San Francisco 49ers had a more solid defense built to stop the Chiefs offense last season. As seen on TV, they weren’t up to the task. Tampa Bay will have even more trouble handling the Chiefs’ offense.

No current quarterback in the NFL is greater at erasing a deficit in the playoffs than Patrick Mahomes. Last season, the Chiefs trailed at one point every single playoff game, but Mahomes turned the tide at the snap of a finger.

If you’re Tampa Bay you have to:

– Jump out to a BIG and early lead.

– Play turnover free football on offense.

– Get turnovers for yourself.

– Don’t let Tyreek Hill get past you.

– Make sure you don’t let Mahomes score for a half.

Last year I picked the 49ers to win the Super Bowl because they outmatched the Chiefs in most positions. The Buccaneers are in a similar spot as the 49ers were last year, except with a better offense and a worse defense.

I think Kansas City runs away with this game and wins 35 to 18.

I made one mistake picking against Patrick Mahomes and I’m not this time around.