Yet another Super Bowl has ended with now seven time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady, hoisting the iconic Lombardi trophy. This blowout of a game might have come as a surprise to many, but Brady has proven once again that you can never quite count him out. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have became the first team to play in their own stadium in the Super Bowl, and have now become the first team to win the big game on their own turf. Tampa Bay secured their second championship in franchise history with their 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The first quarter was a defensive battle as both teams were getting a feel for the game. The explosive Chiefs’ offense really could  not get anything going in their first few possessions, managing only a field goal in the first fifteen minutes. On the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers were able to move the ball down the field and set up a classic Brady to Gronkowski touchdown, putting Tampa up 7-3 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, the stingy Tampa Bay defense remained dominant over the Kansas City offense. The Buccaneers’ defensive line continued to frustrate the opposing offensive line, holding Kansas City to just another field goal. The Buccaneers’ offense was able to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the defense, getting in the endzone twice, to put them up 21-6 at the half. Brady had thrown for three touchdowns already by halftime, two of them to Gronkowski and the other to Antonio Brown.

Coming out of the half, the Chiefs really needed to get something going to establish themselves in this game. This was a completely possible comeback for Kansas City, especially since they received the ball to kick off the second half. They were able to move the ball down the field, but yet again, they were held to a field goal, making the score 21-9, and putting the ball back in Brady’s hands. Tampa Bay was able to score yet another touchdown, as well as a field goal in the quarter to put them up 31-9 at the end of the third quarter.

The Chiefs had one last quarter to go to make a run at the iconic Lombardi trophy, but the momentum was stacked against them. There was no scoring at all in the final fifteen minutes of the game, as it was a defensive battle for both sides. One side fighting to come back from behind, the other side fighting to maintain their comfortable lead. The defensive pressure from the Bucs’ pass rush continued to disrupt last year’s MVP, Patrick Mahomes, shattering the hopes for a comeback.

The legendary Tom Brady was named the Super Bowl MVP when the job was finished. He ended the game completing 21 of 29 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Leonard Fournette, who was picked up off waivers earlier in the season ran 16 times for 89 yards, which was able to set the pace for the Tampa Bay offense. The Buccaneers’ defense got a huge boost from Devin White and Antoine Winfield Jr., who both had an interception each.

Kansas City hurt themselves with penalties all game, and constantly gave the Bucs chances to score and advance their lead. There were eleven flags thrown against the Chiefs, costing them 120 yards, while penalties only costed Tampa Bay 39 yards. The Chiefs also turned the ball over twice, while Tampa did not turn it over at all.

It will be interesting to see how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return next season with many players being free agents in the upcoming offseason. Players such as Rob Gronkowski, Chris Godwin, Shaq Barrett, and Leonard Fournette, who were all key players in the championship run, have expiring contracts. It will be crucial for Tampa Bay to sign these players back.