Sunday marked the end of a season that was spectacular in a multitude of ways. The season began as the second wave of the pandemic reached it crest. Empty stadiums, fake crowd noise, and a litany of oddities that exemplified what it was to do anything in 2020 made it clear that this season would be anything but typical. At several different points, many of us worried that this season wouldn’t reach completion. Its remarkable nature wasn’t simply due to the visible effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
This season saw an offensive boom. Teams scored on average 2 points more than last season with the highest point total in NFL history. (Pro-Football Reference) An increase wasn’t only seen in the point total, as pass attempts, passing yards and rushing yards incrementally rose. (PFR) Throughout the season there were many comments about the NFL’s unwillingness to call offensive holding anymore, perhaps the only penalty that gives defenses any advantage. This season was about offense!
Even as the Super-Bowl approached, the narrative of the game was all about the offensive players. Could the high powered Chiefs with Andy Reid’s schemes, Tyreek Hill’s speed, Travis Kelce’s cheat-code-ness, and the Magic of Patrick Mahomes, out gun the “No risk it, no biscuit” Bruce Arians offense that featured, amongst others, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Gronk, Antonio Brown, and a 6th round QB by the name of Tom Brady? It was the greatest of all time going head to head against the most talented of this generation.
What many overlooked, and what became quickly obvious in Sunday night’s game, is that Mahomes and Brady weren’t actually going head to head. That’s the magic of football. Mahomes’ team was shaken from their historic run and put up what was perhaps its worst performance ever, despite the fact that Mahomes wasn’t awful. Mahomes did some spectacular things Sunday night, as we’ve become accustomed to him doing. Mahomes’ heroics weren’t nearly enough to lift his team that fell 31–9. Football isn’t boxing. Football isn’t even basketball, where in crunch time the two best players can square up and go mono e mono for the chance at glory. Football takes three phases and 22+ guys. Sunday should serve as a reminder of this to all of us. It should also encourage any of us who still like good defense.
I wasn’t surprised that Brady took home the MVP on Sunday night, someone’s gotta win it, right? I personally voted for Buc’s linebacker, Devin White, who wowed me with his speed in the run game and ability to limit All-World TE Travis Kelce. The candidate whom I thought was most deserving wasn’t eligible, Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles. Todd Bowles did something absolutely incredible Sunday night. In the midst of the deserved re-re-re-crowning of Brady’s GOAT status, the hottest takes of where he stands all time as a representation of humanities greatest accomplishments, and the projections to what next years season may look like, the incredible nature of what Todd Bowles and the Tampa defense did may get lost in the shuffle.
- First a disclaimer: I am a lifelong Tom Brady fan. I sat on Sunday night wearing the same #12 Patriots jersey that I wore for Super Bowls XLIX, LI, LII and LIII. I cheered especially loud as Brady hit Gronk for both of his touchdown receptions. I have preached the good-news of Tom for literally the entire time I’ve been a football fan. I also acknowledge that Mahomes was obviously battling injury, while being “protected” by an offensive line that only returned one starter from last years SB LIV win. -
This Chiefs team is a buzz-saw! The odds-on favorite to win it all came into 2020 with a chance to repeat titles and most people figured they would do just that. The afore mentioned studs put up 473 points this season and, while playing their starters, the Chiefs only lost one game. I’ll admit their narrow victories toward the end of the year had me doubting whether they would end up back at the door step of a championship, but when they needed it most, they turned it on. In the AFC championship Mahomes and company put up 439 yards and 38 points versus a Bills defense that many felt was rounding into a contender. On Sunday night, Tampa held the Chiefs to just 9 points their lowest score since Mahomes took over at QB in 2018. (Previous 13 Oct 6th vs IND) Not only that, but Bowles’ group kept Andy Reid’s high-scoring group from reaching the end zone — something that has only happened three times in Reid’s tenure with Kansas City. What the Buccaneers did on defense Sunday night wasn’t impressive, it was statistically historic.
As much has been made about the expansion of offense in the NFL, in the last decade there has been equal expansion of defense. Offensive teams now regularly go for fourth downs and two-point conversions — something that was seen as “unnecessary risk” in the past. Now, these are seen as statistical advantages. Defense has also embraced this philosophy. Since it started tracking Blitz percentage in 2018, PFR has seen this statistic rise. Beginning with a median average of 24.4% of snaps in 2018, rising to 28% in 2019 and 31% this season. Teams are realizing that the rules and culture of the game is moving towards high scoring shoot-outs much like we’ve seen in college football. Heck, even defense loving Alabama is getting in on the act. Defense by it’s nature is reactionary. Being pro-active on defense is still somewhat of a guessing game. The ability of a great defense is to adapt to what they are lining up against week-to-week, and in this endeavor the Bucs were fantastic.
Early in the game, this adaptability was exemplified. With 5:22 left in the first quarter Bowles brought a corner and a nickel on a blitz, playing a “sticks” coverage behind, and while Mahomes avoided the blitz and STILL almost hit Tyreek Hill for the first, this willingness to do the unconventional was key in the Bucs success.
Later, Tampa’s group brought pressure with only 4, but showed 7 different potential rushers. Bowles and the Bucs were patient, happy to take away the things that Chiefs love to do. Limiting big plays that tire defenses and fuel offenses with momentum.
While Mahomes injury and lack of offensive line is in part to blame for Sundays showing, it’s important to point out the genius that was Tampa’s defensive plan. Excellent pass rushers, athletic and adaptable linebackers, and coverage that kept the speed of Kansas City in front of them at all times. Using this plan, the Buccaneers did what is the hardest thing for a defense to do, especially against a great offense. Tampa Bay made the Chiefs play at their pace. They took away things that had been staples of their success. Of course, some of this is personnel based. Without studs like Jason Pierre Paul, Devon White, and a host of other incredible players, this wouldn’t be possible. However, the same could be said for the success of KC’s offense without Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, and crew.
Todd Bowles may not be, by definition, the Most-Valuable-Player from the “big game” but he is responsible for orchestrating something that hasn’t been done against this KC team before. He laid out a blueprint for beating one of the greatest offenses the NFL has ever seen. He showed that defense isn’t dead.
No, we’re not going back to 10–7 final scores regularly. Targeting, DPI, and roughing the passer penalties won’t loosen their restriction on what can and can’t be done by defenders, but defense is still alive. In the biggest moments, it’s still what matters. And just as Paul Bear Bryant famously said, “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships”.
