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Super Bowl LV will be the most-watched TV show of 2021, bringing together an estimated 100 million Americans for a few hours of unity and fun.
Why is this important: All Super Bowls are culturally significant, but this year’s “Big Game”, more than any other, will be a reflection of the country.
- American citizens, and even those who watch from abroad will gauge the national situation by what they see on the show.
- “The game represents strange luck for an American makeover – a new year, a new administration, a new perspective, ”writes John Branch of the NYT.
The big picture: When the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV in Miami, “social distancing” wasn’t even a term.
- 369 days later, it’s our way of life – and will be on full display in Tampa, where there will be more cardboard cutouts (30,000) than fans (25,000).
- At the entrance In Raymond James Stadium, every fan will receive a face mask, an item that was alien to us a year ago, but is now an important member of the keychain-key-phone checklist before leaving home.
What to watch: The pre-game festivities will be subdued, setting the tone for a four-hour show in which the NFL and CBS must strike a delicate balance between sheer “escape” and the reality of the moment.
- Three honorary captains – a nurse, a teacher and a veteran of the Navy – will participate in the draw.
- Amanda Gorman, fresh out of his star tour at President Biden’s inauguration, will recite an original poem.
- The National anthem, a duet of Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church, will be preceded by a performance of “America the Beautiful” by HER
The bottom line: Super Bowl LV will be a low-key spectacle, but there is still potential for a lot of magic, starting with Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady’s QB dream game.
Game Details:
- Time: 6:30 pm ET
- Network: CBS
- Advertisers: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo
- Weather forecast: 23 ° C, 56% chance of rain
Matchup: On one side of the ball …
The Chiefs are the children of the poster for “pass the sight test” (emphasis on who passed).
Yes, but: While it all comes from the singular talent of Patrick Mahomes, the evolutionary strategy of Andy Reid and OC Eric Bieniemy cannot be overlooked.
- 40.5% of Mahomes passes has resulted in first tries this season (up from 36.5% in 2019), likely thanks to the decision to reduce deep balls.
- Last year, Kansas City completed a league-high 18 passes over 40 yards; this year that has fallen to just eight, but they have scored on six of them and led the league with 69 passes over 20 yards.
- This more balanced attack, using the very real threat to open the midfield to Travis Kelce and the slots receivers paid big dividends.
What they say: “Everyone fits into the system because the system is designed to include everyone,” writes Kevin Clark of The Ringer.
“From the GM’s point of view, you don’t need to think about whether this guy is a good fit for what we’re doing. If we like the guy, and we like the skill set, the coach will find a way. to highlight it. “
– Chiefs GM Brett Veach
On defense … the Bucs are as well equipped as anyone to stop the heavyweight they face, with a trio of recovery projects – Ndamukong Suh, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul – forming the league’s most formidable passing run.
- In the game of the NFC titleThe absence of Packers star OT David Bakhtiari opened the door to five Bucs sacks.
- How much can they fight with OT Chiefs star Eric Fisher in the same way?
Go further: 20 stats you need to know (for victory)
Matchup: On the other side of the ball …
“No risk, no cookie,” Bruce Arians’ catchy coaching philosophy, which could loosely be translated as’ go big or come home ‘, turns out to be quite successful when implemented by the right staff.
- Tom Brady, like 2019 Bucs QB Jameis Winston, led the league in expected overhead yards (total overhead yards on all passes, complete or not) and threw the second-highest number of touchdowns.
- But while Winston The interception rate in 2019 was by far the worst in the NFL (4.8%), Brady limited the damage such a coasting strategy is likely to yield (2%).
- Although 12 choices are Brady’s biggest since 2011, he also broke 40 DT for just the second time, released by a new system and armed with the best receiving corps of his career.
What to watch: Penalties, or more precisely, Tampa Bay’s ability to attract them. Bucs’ opponents have been charged with 24 pass interference penalties during the regular season, the highest total since at least 1985.
“If the passing interference was a person, he would be the Buccaneers’ sixth most productive receiver, contributing more yards to their passing game than tight end Cameron Brate.”
– Mike Tanier, NYT
On defense … putting pressure on Brady is of utmost importance, as his 84.3 QBR this year without seeing the pressure was fifth, but his 6.4 QBR (!!!) under pressure was ranked 30th.
- Here the chefs have match-up advantages, as linemen Chris Jones and Frank Clark could intimidate the Bucs’ guard duo of Ali Marpet and Aaron Stinnie, who both rank near the bottom of the win rate by block of passes.
Go further: All 55 Super Bowl QB games, ranked (WashPost)
Meet the players who have retired
66 unsubscribed players 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, Chefs): The 2014 sixth-round pick was one of six Chiefs to have played all the offensive shots of Super Bowl LIV.
- Why he withdrew: He was the first NFL player to officially retire, choosing instead to use his medical degree, working at a long-term care facility near his native Montreal.
- “If I have to take risks,” he wrote in his unsubscribe statement, “I will do this while treating the patients.”
Damien Williams (RB, chefs): From 2014 undrafted free agent to Super Bowl star. His line in last year’s game (133 total yards, 2 TD) was as good as anyone.
- Why he withdrew: After his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he decided that being by his side was more important than anything else.
- “My mother is my rock, my everything, so during a difficult time like this, I think I should be by his side every step of the way. “
Brad Seaton (OT, Bucs): The 2017 seventh-round pick and Bucs’ only withdrawal have rebounded in the league but have yet to play a cinch in his NFL career.
- Why he withdrew: “While I love the sport and know that I will miss every aspect of my participation on this year’s team, I finally decided to put the health and safety of my family first.” he wrote.
Lucas Niang (OL, leaders): TCU’s third-round rookie was unlikely to start this year, but was seen as a possible future replacement for veteran tackle Eric Fisher … who is missing the Super Bowl with an Achilles injury.
- Why he withdrew: He never provided details, but of course he never had to.
- To note: He was one of five rookies, but the only one drafted to retire.
Go further: What happened to the players who retired? (ESPN)
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