It’s A Different Team, Super Bowl Version
February 1st, 2021
The Chiefs know
Joe heard this a lot when the Bucs were preparing for the slimy Saints two weeks ago.
The Bucs, so the saying went that week, were a different team than the one that got seal-clubbed by the Saints 38-3 before a national primetime audience on NBC.
Indeed the Bucs’ offense line had been dominant leading up to that game and the Bucs had seemed to have found a running game. And look what happened: The Bucs beat Drew Brees and the Saints in their own crib.
Fast forward to last week and the Bucs defense slammed the door on the Packers in the fourth quarter to preserve an NFC Championship win. The Packers, with three possessions, managed only a field goal in the fourth quarter.
And the Bucs were going to the Super Bowl.
One guy has watched tape of that game a few times, and that would be Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He also is saying the Bucs right now are a different team than the one the Chiefs beat by a field goal in November.
You may remember, Cheetah Hill went bonkers on the Bucs in the first quarter of that game. For 15 minutes he was as unstoppable as any receiver Joe has seen, and that includes Jerry Rice.
So Bieniemy told hot-dog-eating-contest-protesting, mock-draft-scowling, L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike-Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California-train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal-picture-taking, video-game-playing, Taylor-Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft-beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant, baseball scorecard-keeping, pasta-feasting, vomit-dodging scrooge, Kay-Adams-following, Coors Light-souring social activist and NFL insider Peter King of NBC Sports that he and the Chiefs didn’t face the same defense that locked up the Packers in the fourth quarter a week ago.
On Saturday, one time zone away in western Missouri, KC offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had just finished the practice week, along with much tape study. I asked whether he thought the offense would be pretty confident after the first meeting in November.
“Did you watch them in Green Bay? Did you see that secondary?” Bieniemy said with an edge in his voice. “All I gotta do is turn on the tape. It’s a different defense, to me. The secondary is playing exceptional football, creating turnovers, playing physical.”
Of course Bieniemy would say that; he doesn’t want to dig at his Super Bowl foe. But he’s also right.
And this physical defense Bieniemy speaks of did not have safety Antoine Winfield playing against the Packers.
Joe has a hunch the defense, especially with Vita Vea back and the Chiefs likely down two starting offensive tackles, won’t get gouged by Patrick Mahomes like it did the last time.
In just a three-point win by the Chiefs.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:24 am
Turnovers will tell the tale !
Bucs are going to have to play defense like they will not get any turnovers!
Play their own assignment each play and be very patient and strike decisively when the rare opportunity presents it self !
Chiefs are deadly!
February 1st, 2021 at 10:36 am
Moment in history – the Falcons also lost, by 3 points, to the Chiefs, at Arrowhead. KC is not unbeatable.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:51 am
The raiders beat the chiefs
We blew out the raiders in sin city
It is a tough task but chiefs are beatable
Their speed on offense against our slower secondary is what scares me
They wont run on us
Mahommes will scramble for yards
Its our secondary which just needs to play lights out for us to win cause watch mahommes play. He is in shotgun almost 100 percent of time and he gets ball out so quick. Especially with tackles out. That is my concern is shaq and jpp wont even have a chance to bury him.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:15 am
It is true, we are a different team than the one the Chiefs beat this season.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:34 am
Discipline – few penalties, stick to your assignment, no turnovers. Brady cannot throw 3 picks against this team, regardless of how well the Bucs defense is playing. Ball security on offense and pressure on Mahomes from the defense.
I like the fact that the Bucs seem to be the underdog in this game. We can do this!!!!!
February 1st, 2021 at 11:37 am
I do not think turnovers will be key in this game for either team (rooting for SMB to get the game winning pick or a LVD strip returned for a TD by D. White), but it will come down to the Bucs defense getting off the field on third down and forcing punts. Can’t give free first downs with defensive holding or PI’s, that is what it will come down to, disciplined defense.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:51 am
Bucs win by 6
February 1st, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Does Peter King get a pass for picking Washington over the Bucs in the first round playoff game?
February 1st, 2021 at 12:46 pm
If the Bucs play like they belong in the Super Bowl (they do), then they’ll win. Simple as that. Play like you played to get there.
February 1st, 2021 at 1:03 pm
All this David vs Goliath horsecrap is gonna bite them in the are if they let it.
Here’s to seeing Mahomes beat up and turn to a cry baby.
Gonna be his worst game of his career.
February 1st, 2021 at 1:30 pm
I’ve been unwavering about the Bucs winning this game. I have been hesitant with every other game, because it’s the Bucs. With what I’ve seen donde the bye and every opponent in the playoffs, this is the most confidence I’ve had for the team all year. I truly believe that our Bucs will be super bowl champs. So much going on for the team now than back in November. Go Bucs!