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The biggest game of the NFL year is upon us, a mere four days away. After a long season, it all comes down to this as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs look to defend their Super Bowl crown against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Who will win? Who will lose? You can either watch the game, or read our 100% correct predictions here. The choice is yours.
Here’s our staff picks for the big game:
Pete Rogers: I promise I’m being as un-Tom Brady homer as possible when I say that the Bucs are going to win, but man I feel like the stars are aligning for Brady to get his seventh Super Bowl ring. The Buccaneers’ defense—particularly their defensive line with the return of Vita Vea—looked incredible against the Green Bay Packers and were able to regularly generate pressure on Aaron Rodgers throughout the game. With the Chiefs also banged up along the offensive line, I’m thinking Shaquil Barrett comes with a vengeance and has another blockbuster game on the world’s biggest stage. Oh, and Brady and this offense has looked pretty darn good as well if you ask me.
Final score: Buccaneers 41 - Chiefs 34
Paddi Cooper: Though I can see this game going either way, I’m backing the Chiefs to be the first team to repeat since Tom Brady’s ’03 and ’04 Patriots. The Chiefs have the three best players on the field in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill and I think the Chiefs’ passing offense will be just too much to handle again for the Bucs.
Final score: Chiefs 35 - Buccaneers 30
Andres Chavez: The Buccaneers are a very good football team and have the GOAT in Tom Brady, who is still throwing darts even at 43. With that said, I think the Chiefs will win their second straight Super Bowl thanks to the league’s most explosive offense—Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are just too much to handle—and an underrated defense.
Final score: Chiefs 30 - Buccaneers 20
Clark Barnes: Buccaneers 23 - Chiefs 17