It’s been called a ‘chess match’ several times this week from multiple people. The margin for error is certainly razor thin between two of the best offenses in the NFL and a couple of defenses that are playing opportunistic football right now. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said this is the type of game that could come down to turnovers and special teams. The line’s currently sitting around a field goal, in favor of the Chiefs. Indeed, in a game like Super Bowl LV, the pressure is on, and it feels close. But, the outcome is all about the match-ups and which team is able to execute. The most critical one in this game could be this Chiefs secondary against Tom Brady.
“We call ourselves DBs,” Chiefs DB Juan Thornhill told the media earlier this week. He pointed out that there’s no real distinction between cornerbacks and safeties in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo‘s system. That defense allows everyone to play multiple positions and disguise coverages. When the chips are down, this is a group that feels confident in their ability to cover to man to man. Thornhill understands the task is tall, saying they’ll have to focus on Tampa Bay’s tight ends as if they’re wide receivers, and noted that the approach will be to create turnovers. On stopping this Bucs offense, Thornhill said, “it’s going to take everything.“
Brady’s struggles when the pocket shrinks are well-documented. Spags said he’s going to try and get pressure with a 4-man front. That would allow the Chiefs secondary to disguise a little more coverage and confuse Brady. It was something Spags hammered home during his media availability – “we have to be good on the back end.” If they’re able to rattle and confuse Brady, that’s the recipe for winning the turnover battle.
NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner spoke to the versatility of the Chiefs defensive backs earlier this week – “having those guys gives you flexibility.” He mentioned changing formations repeatedly and going up tempo as ways to combat that and force man coverage from the defense. That is going to be the chess match – can the Chiefs secondary have an effect on Brady? And, how does he adjust to it?
Charvarius Ward spoke to Brady’s ability during this week’s media availability. “He knows what defenses are trying to do to him.” Ward said they Chiefs will have to do a good job of hiding independent movement. But, the confidence of this position group is clear no matter who is at the podium.
“Everybody in the secondary can tackle, cover, and hit.” -Charvarius Ward
When I asked Ward about how that versatility helps them disguise coverages, he talked about how the Chiefs are able to put a safety on a wide receiver or a corner on a tight end and never worry about a mismatch. And, they don’t come any more versatile and confident than Tyrann Mathieu, who may be the ultimate “chess piece” for this Chiefs defense. The prototypical do-it-all defensive back could play a huge role in determining the outcome of this game.
If these Chiefs defensive backs are successful, the Chiefs will win Super Bowl LV.
MORE SUPER BOWL LV COVERAGE
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- Forget The Quarterbacks – Super Bowl LV Features A Match-Up Of Historically Great Tight Ends
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- Highlights From Super Bowl Week’s Media Availability
- If The Bucs Win, Mike Evans Will Get A Lombardi Trophy Tattoo
- My Five Favorite Super Bowls
- The SoBros Super Bowl LV Betting Guide
- Steve Spagnuolo on Tom Brady: “He’s a Step Ahead of Everything”
- Super Bowl 55 Drinking Game
- Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked From Worst To Best
- This Bucs-Chiefs Super Bowl Is All About ‘Greatness’
- This Bucs Defense Has Mid-2000s Steelers Fingerprints All Over It
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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