SC's Super Bowl Prediction

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty

The Super Bowl is just a day away, and even though I’m still not over the Packers loss, I’m pumped for the Brady-Mahomes showdown! The greatest QB of all time, Tom Brady, against the best QB of the new generation in Patrick Mahomes. It should produce moments that will live forever in football history. So who will get the Lombardi trophy? Will Brady snag a seventh Super Bowl trophy? Or will Mahomes go back to back? Here's my Super Bowl preview.

Mahomes and Brady are no strangers when it comes to facing each other. This will be their 5th meeting in the last two seasons, and it's also their second time meeting in the playoffs. Brady edged out Mahomes in the AFC Championship game two years in a thriller, but both QBs were throwing darts in that contest. We can’t forget that this is also a rematch from week 12. There we saw the Chiefs edge out a close win 27-24. Overall both QBs have split their meetings two a piece, so this is the decider and it has the biggest stakes on the line.

Needless, to say Tom Brady has continued to add his legacy this season. Throwing for over 40 TDs (second most in his career) and helping the Bucs make it to their first Super Bowl in almost 20 years, while making it to his 10th, is remarkable. TB12 is proving that age is just a number. With four former Pro Bowlers to throw to, and a good solid backfield behind him, Brady and the gang will look to beat KC at their own game.

Mahomes on the other hand has looked quite unstoppable himself. He's been on fire this season, hurling 38 TDs to just 5 INTs. Mahomes has won 28 of his last 29 games including the playoffs, and should have a stellar game against Tampa. It's hard to picture the Bucs figuring out a way to stop the best quarterback in the league, especially given all the talent around him. Other than the “nerve” issue against the Browns, Mahomes has been pretty much unstoppable, and I feel like Mahomes should put up another great stat line.

Since I already mentioned him, I sense Tyreek Hill will be a problem for the Bucs on Sunday. In last year's Super Bowl, he went just over 100 yards receiving against a pretty stout 49ers defence. He had a good performance in his first Super Bowl and he should excel this time around as well. Also, if you look back at his performance against this very same Bucs secondary from week 12, it’s a pretty safe bet he’ll be targeted early and often -- just in case you forgot he went for 269 yards with 3 touchdowns -- Hill’s gonna be running wild!

In my opinion, the only way the Bucs win this game is through their defense. In their lone meeting this season, Mahomes could do no wrong, that will need to change this time around. The Bucs gave up a season-high 456 passing yards against the Chiefs and allowed over 500 total yards in week 12, but the one positive note for Tampa is they only gave up 27 points. The second half of the game Tampa gave up just one TD.

The Bucs big boys, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre Paul will need to be X factors in this game. Tampa knows if they don't go after Mahomes they won't have a chance. They sacked Rodgers five times and three of those came from Barrett himself. I do expect Barrett to have a good game on his end, and Tampa will definitely need him and his comrades to keep Mahomes under fire.

The highest scoring Super Bowl was back in Super Bowl 29 where both the Niners and Chargers combined for 75 points. This is mostly thanks to the beating they dished out. Regardless, this Super Bowl could smash that record. These two teams, with these two quarterbacks, both sides are in prime position to put on a show. Plus, if you look at Brady and Mahome's meeting in 2019, there is no telling what could happen if they both heat up.

Brady already has the passing record for most yards in a Super Bowl, so the 43-year old is no stranger to slinging it in the granddaddy of them all. Plus, knowing Mahomes, who’s to say the young gun won’t gunning for that crown.

In terms of who the MVP could be, the obvious choice is Mahomes (if they win). But I could see Tyreek Hill sliding in the conversation as well. Hill should have a monster game and if my prediction for the Cheetah comes true, then he’ll leave no doubt. The last receiver to win the trophy was Julian Edelman against the Atlanta Falcons. Edelman had 10 catches and 141 yards of coaching in that game.

For Tampa Bay, Tom Brady will be the front runner. Though Mike Evans could be in store for a wild game. If there's someone who Brady will look at more in this huge game, it's Evans. The former Pro Bowler had an excellent season despite the injuries, hitting the 1000 yard plateau yet again. Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans are 4th and 6th respectively in Super Bowl MVP odds so make of that what you will.

The Chiefs are the favourites even with Tampa hosting. Mahomes has become the new face of the NFL and this looks like a changing of the guard moment. Brady has done well this season and deserves credit for turning around the Buccaneers, but the Chiefs are the most dominant team in the NFL armed with the most dominant QB and wideout threat as well. KC repeats and hands Brady his 4th Super Bowl loss.

Whoever wins, this matchup should be a barn burner!

Bold Predictions:

- Mahomes goes for 4 TD's and 350+ passing yards

- Hill falls just short of 200 yards receiving with 2 TDs

- Shaq Barrett dominates on D with 3 sacks

- Both teams combine for a record breaking 85 points

Bet the over!