NFL media were in awe of Tom Brady and the Bucs and reevaluating the Chiefs after an unexpected Super Bowl blowout.
Super Bowl 55 was not the quarterback duel many expected. Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to victory over the Chiefs in resounding fashion.
Who saw that coming?
Definitely not the NFL media. CBS’ pre-game picks largely favored Kansas City. Over on Twitter, there was plenty of crow to be eaten and a crown to be conceded.
The NFL media had a lot to say about the Super Bowl
Arguably the biggest talking point from the game was Tom Brady and his place in history. Once again, he proved that betting against him is a bad idea.
Tom Brady after Tyrann Mathieu started trash talkinpic.twitter.com/UjUruXoXu5
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) February 8, 2021
When Tom Brady became a free agent last March, a mere two teams aggressively pursued him: the Chargers and Buccaneers. Others made calls, but seemingly no real push.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 8, 2021
How did Brady not draw the same level of interest across the league that Deshaun Watson has now?
https://twitter.com/MikeCroninWMUR/status/1358609524551204864
Tom Brady is not just the greatest NFL player of all time... he is the greatest sportsman of all time IMO.
— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) February 8, 2021
His record comparable to his peers is absolutely obscene. #Brady #SBLV #SuperBowlLV #TBvsKC
It took seven #SuperBowl s for @TomBrady to finally win me over. Thank you brother for making us old guys look amazing. You’re the #GOAT and my man @JoeMontana is probably comfortable admitting that. pic.twitter.com/bGwVsVHj3m
— Cyrus Saatsaz (@DogSurfRoadshow) February 8, 2021
Others put their focus on the accomplishments of the Bucs as a team.
This game has been decided in the trenches. Gotta respect what the Bucs are doing. Chiefs' offensive line injuries being exploited in an unremitting fashion. Bottom line: this one has been earned, by brute force...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 8, 2021
Tampa earned this buddy. They won 3 road playoff games and have shut down the Chiefs offense tonight https://t.co/TUqp7fMgwd
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) February 8, 2021
Serious question: Anybody see a Bucs blowout coming?! My mind told me Chiefs even if I assumed Tom Brady would will his team to a win. But this just doesn’t match up with annny expectation I had for this game. O-line injuries? Turf toe? I just didn’t see them mattering THIS much.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 8, 2021
In 2011, the Steelers chose not to bring back Bruce Arians as OC, so he retired to his lakehouse in Georgia.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) February 8, 2021
In the years since, Arians has taken 3 teams to the playoffs (Colts, Cardinals, Bucs), won NFL Coach of the Year twice and now is the head coach of a Super Bowl champion.
Tampa defense was lights out tonight, the offense was efficient but the night belongs to the defense. Full on team effort but my goodness those cats came to play. I’m blown away #SuperBowlLV congrats to the @Buccaneers #champs #nfcsouth
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 8, 2021
What about the Chiefs? They weren’t who people thought they were. Cracks on the offensive line and elsewhere became unavoidable in the biggest game of the year. Even Patrick Mahomes couldn’t perform a miracle.
This is Patrick Mahomes' 54th start as an NFL quarterback. The Chiefs have not been held out of the end zone in the previous 53.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 8, 2021
Bucs defense can snap that streak in the Super Bowl. 3:58 left.
The #Chiefs have never looked worse with Patrick Mahomes at QB
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 8, 2021
I’ve never seen Patrick Mahomes get hit like this in his career. Pure destruction of the Chiefs offensive line by the Bucs defensive line.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 8, 2021
Endzone found tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 8, 2021
0 — Chiefs
1 — Streaker pic.twitter.com/ySZ2bMREg4
Saying the refs suck and that the #Chiefs haven’t played well can both be true.
— Matt Scott (@KUTheShiver) February 8, 2021
The Chiefs are playing two offensive linemen who weren't good enough to make the winless 2017 Browns. One of them is playing out of position at tackle against one of the NFL's best pass rushers. I probably should have factored that into my prediction more...
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 8, 2021
And, of course, Stephen A Smith joined the chat with his own brand of hyperbole.
It’s OVER, everyone. @Chiefs defense couldn’t stop anything @TomBrady threw at them. And @Buccaneers defense was ELITE. No more talk about MaHomes being the GOAT. He’s getting BLOWN OUT in the Super Bowl. Receivers can’t get open; he can’t throw them open. It’s over!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 8, 2021
There was other random chatter as well.
Side note... Raiders fans and Chiefs fans now have a common bond. We both know what it feels like to get unexpectedly blown out by Tampa Bay in a Super Bowl. Misery loves company....
— jason fitz (@jasonfitz) February 8, 2021
Tampa Bay is now the owner of the Lombardi Trophy for the second time. They have Brady to thank as well as a furious defense and a coaching staff that found a way to shut down Mahomes and company.
A more thrilling contest would have been fun, but it was fitting for the Bucs to pick up the win at home.
What will Brady, Bruce Arians and the Bucs do next year? The NFL media will have the whole 2021 offseason for rankings, predictions and so much more.