Superbowl LV

For the first time in NFL history, a team will play the Superbowl in its own stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa Bay for Superbowl LV. The Bucs were led by 43-year-old Tom Brady, in his first season outside of New England. Many feel that winning this could solidify his spot as the greatest quarterback of all time. In their way stands the defending Superbowl champs, The Kansas City Chiefs, led by MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are coming off an outstanding 38-24 victory against the uber-talented Buffalo Bills.

How the league is handling the virus

The super bowl is now less than two weeks away, and it has been confirmed that 22,000 fans will be allowed at the game. Among these fans, the NFL has invited 7,500 vaccinated health care workers to come to the game with all expenses paid. A lottery will choose the other 14,500 fans, and there will be about 2000 other fans in luxury suites. The non-healthcare workers are not required to be vaccinated. The number 22,000 was decided to be the number because it amounts to ⅓ of Raymond James Stadiums’ capacity. In regular seasons, teams would arrive one week before the game. This year, teams will arrive two days before the Super Bowl. This turns the biggest game of the year, into just another game.

NFC Championship game

In the NFC championship on Sunday, January 24, the Green Bay Packers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26. Despite throwing 3 second half interceptions, Tom Brady was still able to come away with the victory. This is set to be Tom Brady’s 10th Superbowl and his first outside of New England. This number doubles that of John Elway, who has been to 5 Super Bowls and is in 2nd place for most Super Bowls played in. If Brady wins, he will be only the 2nd quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl for two different teams. The only other quarterback to do this was Peyton Manning, winning with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.

AFC Championship game

The Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back winners of the AFC conference championship game, beating the Buffalo Bills 38-24. Early in the game, the Bills led by two scores, but despite being down initially, the chiefs were able to come back from behind and dominate the rest of the game. With the win, The Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl. The Bills emerged from the wilderness this season with their best team since the 90s. I asked Tyler Maheshwari ’24, a huge Bills fan, What he thought about the Bills playoff run. His response was, “I feel, great. The Bills, however, haven’t won their division since 1995. In the past, the Patriots have had a very dominant franchise. I think this is a new era, and it’s the bills turn to be the best.” Well, it looks like the bills will be a great team for years to come.