The 2021 NFL regular season is marching towards a thrilling finale, with the playoff picture becoming increasingly clear with each completed game. All 32 NFL teams have played 13 of their scheduled 17 games, but last year’s finalists are attracting the lion’s share of the 2021 Super Bowl bets online.
Tampa Bay Buccanneers finished second in the NFC South during 2020 courtesy of their 11-5 record, just behind the New Orleans Saints (12-4). Veteran quarterback Tom Brady utilised all his playoff experience to guide the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl since 2002.
Brady was incredible in the 31-23 victory at Washington Football Team in the Wild Card playoffs. He shone in the 30-20 win at the much-fancied New Orleans Saints and again in the 31-25 at the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship. The best was yet to come in the Super Bowl LV as Brady led his team to a one-sided 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, securing the Buccaneers’ second-ever Super Bowl title and his seventh Super Bowl ring.
Defensive Frailties a Worry For Buccaneers’ Fans
There is no doubting the Buccaneers have one of the best offensive games in the NFL. Anything is possible with Brady pulling the strings. The Buccaneers slipped to a 6-3 record by Week 10 following back-to-back defeats on the road to the New Orleans Saints and Washington Football Team. However, four straight victories put the Buccs 10-3 and top of the NFC South.
However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows because the team’s defence has shown signs of vulnerability. They have allowed more than 20 points in seven of their 13 regular-season games, including last time out when the Buccaneers needed overtime to beat the Buffalo Bills 33-27 at the Raymond James Stadium. Super Bowls tend to be won and lost on defence, which is a worry for Buccs’ fans.
Chiefs On Song Again After Shaky a Start
The Kansas City Chiefs were incredible during the 2020 season, right up to the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes was unplayable at times as the Chiefs went 14-2 in the regular season and relatively breezed through the playoffs. However, Mahomes suffered a turf toe injury before being withdrawn with a concussion in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 38-24 AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes was obviously not 100% fit for the Super Bowl, and it showed; he underwent toe surgery after the game.
Chiefs’ loyal fans had high hopes for the 2021 campaign, but Andy Reid’s men started the season poorly. Shock defeats at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens and home to the Los Angeles Chargers in the open three fixtures left the Chiefs 1-2. That record slipped to 3-4 by Week 7, and all the talk was of the Chiefs missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Something has clicked in the Chiefs’ roster of late, and they are currently riding a six-game winning streak. Mahomes is only showing glimpses of his MVP talent, but Reid has shored up a porous defence who have been all over the ball in recent weeks. Only the New York Giants (17) and Las Vegas Raiders (14) have managed to score in double-digits during that six-game winning streak.
The Best of the Rest
Form and momentum is key to Super Bowl success. It is extremely rare that a team goes into the playoffs on the back of a couple of defeats and goes on to become Super Bowl champions. That is the number one reason the Buccaneers and the Chiefs are the current joint-favourites for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Even with these two teams enjoying some fantastic form, you cannot write off the chances of the Green Bay Packers (10-3). What better way to sign off the Aaron Rodgers saga than by the 38-year-old winning his second Super Bowl ring?
And what about the New England Patriots (9-4)? Quarterback Mac Jones is still attempting to fill the massive boots Brady left behind when he left for the Buccaneers last season, but Bill Belichick has expertly turned his defence into one of the best in the NFL.
Regardless of who reaches the 2021 Super Bowl, fans of the NFL are guaranteed an exciting few weeks as the regular season draws to a thrilling conclusion.
