The 2020 Super Bowl pregame thread

[1960Pats]

Presumably you know that the Yahoo rankings are not based on fan behavior, but road attendance, social media presence, merchandise purchases etc. And presumably you know that that is because the team was 50 years between super bowls and from one of the smallest markets in the league. That is also assuming you read the Yahoo rankings you refer to.

You could read the bleacher report rankings and see that they rank us #2. Yardbarker ranks us #4. Fox Sports #3. Pretty much any ranking of fans that is not determined by market size will have the Chiefs in the top 10.

Obnoxious is different. If you are interested in who most of the world considers the most obnoxious fans in the NFL, you can google "most obnoxious fans in the NFL" and click on one of the rankings. You'll probably be surprised at #1.

One of my sons lived outside the USA for two decades, from Italy to China, and I remember him telling me that whenever he would tell someone that he came from the northeast of America he would hear the same two words to describe those people... rude and ignorant.

 

[1960Pats]

I dont do the rankings. I just refer you to them. Im a season ticket holder and i have never seen any fight at stadium. And ive never seen opposing fans mistreated that werent also actively misbehaving. There are a lot of people and a lot of alcohol at ant nfl game so yes there is bad behavior occasionally. I imagine if you or i took the time to google fan fight at gillette we could find some examples.

Im not saying we are the best. There are lots of good fan bases, patriots included.

There's good and bad in every stadium.

One of the things about our owner (Bob Kraft) that I appreciate is how well he cleaned up our stadium and it's fans. One of the worst experiences I ever had anywhere was at a game in Foxboro in the late 70's. But once Kraft took over the place he ended the nonsense, even to the point of taking season tickets away from people who gave their seats to someone else who acted up.

 

[TB12TheGoat]

 

[sb1]

Chiefs tickets are available any time. Winning or losing. I could have gone to the 2018 AFCC for $300, but decided to save my money for the Super Bowl. Ive paid more for post season tickets on a 1 week advanced notice.

To my knowledge, no person has ever been beat to death or come even close at Gillete. You own that one.

Guilty plea in 2013 beating death of Chiefs fan in Arrowhead Stadium parking lot

After a game between the Chiefs and Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on December 1, 2013, a Chiefs fan named Kyle Van Winkle died in the parking lot of blunt force trauma to his head and neck following an altercation with another man who was at the game.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

How do you think opposing fans are welcomed when your own fans killed another Chief fan. An associate of mines friends pregnant wife was pelted by ice at a NE vs KC game. I brought my mother to the NE vs KC game in 1997. The game where Adam Vinatieri hit the goal post with a kick ball bouncing out and NE losing. We sat on the 3rd level. Some POS threatened her just minding our own business. If he made 1 move his dumbass was going over the 3rd railing courtesy of me.

Chiefs Fan Fined $500 for Shining Laser Pointer at Tom Brady

The fan pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace during the AFC championship game.

www.si.com

Brittany Matthews flips off Patrick Mahomes haters during Chiefs’ win

Hi, haters, Brittany Matthews sees you.

nypost.com

Who on earth flips people off from their luxury box? Ive never heard of an NFL QBs wife of girlfriend doing such a thing.

Best fans in the NFL. Just ask them.

Wow she can count to 4. I'm impressed.

 

[sb1]

NFL won't let Buccaneers fire their cannons after touchdowns on Sunday - ProFootballTalk (nbcsports.com)

Welcome to the No Fun League!

 

[sb1]

Prediction time. I got Bucs 31 Chiefs 20. Brady is overdue for a comfortable SB win and he gets it here.

 

[The Brandon Five]

One of my sons lived outside the USA for two decades, from Italy to China, and I remember him telling me that whenever he would tell someone that he came from the northeast of America he would hear the same two words to describe those people... rude and ignorant.

That sounds like jealousy rather than an accurate assessment. Massachusetts has the highest percentage of residents with a college degree.

 

[BobDigital]

Chiefs tickets are available any time. Winning or losing. I could have gone to the 2018 AFCC for $300, but decided to save my money for the Super Bowl. Ive paid more for post season tickets on a 1 week advanced notice.

To my knowledge, no person has ever been beat to death or come even close at Gillete. You own that one.

Guilty plea in 2013 beating death of Chiefs fan in Arrowhead Stadium parking lot

After a game between the Chiefs and Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on December 1, 2013, a Chiefs fan named Kyle Van Winkle died in the parking lot of blunt force trauma to his head and neck following an altercation with another man who was at the game.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

How do you think opposing fans are welcomed when your own fans killed another Chief fan. An associate of mines friends pregnant wife was pelted by ice at a NE vs KC game. I brought my mother to the NE vs KC game in 1997. The game where Adam Vinatieri hit the goal post with a kick ball bouncing out and NE losing. We sat on the 3rd level. Some POS threatened her just minding our own business. If he made 1 move his dumbass was going over the 3rd railing courtesy of me.

Chiefs Fan Fined $500 for Shining Laser Pointer at Tom Brady

The fan pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace during the AFC championship game.

www.si.com

Brittany Matthews flips off Patrick Mahomes haters during Chiefs’ win

Hi, haters, Brittany Matthews sees you.

nypost.com

Who on earth flips people off from their luxury box? Ive never heard of an NFL QBs wife of girlfriend doing such a thing.

Best fans in the NFL. Just ask them.

Agreed. In my mind the worst are clearly Ravens, Philly and Chiefs fans. I will say though, that when I've dealt with Philly fans online a lot of them have been fairly reasonably, but I don't think they police their worst elements a lot, which are rather legendary. As for KC fans, I have dealt with a number who were okay, but I just see so much toxicity in the fan base and I have no idea why.

Oakland fans are their own thing, but I just don't have enough experience dealing with them.

As for the bad things said about Boston/New England fans, there just isn't a lot of substance to it. Are there occasional bad Boston fans? Yes. More than some other teams? I'd argue no, but the cases are more publicized. Even if there are it isn't by much. Too be totally frank Boston is a city that produces some bad apples. But at least that crap is policed and condemned here when it happens, and is usually never goes beyond the occasional drunk ******* trying to spill beer on players. When they do it they are quickly punished, and I've never seen it not condemned strongly by the fan base as a whole. Though if the player in question is a true POS, then maybe the condemnation isn't quite as strong, but it still exist. Also, the only other concern that you can raise about Boston fans, is that perhaps they are antagonistic online. That's not true once fans from other teams show they are trying to have honest discussion and frank discussion. A lot of trolling and **** posting has happened on Boston boards by other fans over the years, and it makes us weary of anyone from other fan bases for sure. But once they show they aren't here to troll they are treated with respect.

 

[The Brandon Five]

That sounds good, but they gave up 27 points both times...so...

Of note is that Vea did not play in either of those games, so the line that Mahomes will be dealing with is even stronger. PFF gives the KC line a higher overall ranking than ATL, but that was before they lost Fisher.

 

[amfootball]

Tampa held KC to just 10 points in the second half of the week 12 game. After the horrific first quarter where they gave up 17, they tightened up and of course the offense came alive at the same time. They are playing much, much better now on both sides of the ball and have a lot of moxie. It's not like the GB offense was also not a juggernaut too. They were the #1 scoring offense and had the league MVP as QB. And Tampa was down its best safety and lost its other safety to start the third quarter. KC is obviously a different animal offensively but they have not faced this type of defense yet. I think it is going to be fascinating to watch it unfold. KC missing both of its tackles is enormous for this game.

 

[amfootball]

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

This is interesting basically let KC drive on you and not beat you long. Tampa playing KC and getting humiliated in that quarter was the best thing to happen to them this year. Second half they adjusted to what the video says more coverage less blitz and held them to7 points in the half. Imagine if they came into the super bowl with that firsft half plan they would’ve been dead on arrival. Now with KC injuries on the line and Vea being back it will be even easier for Tampa to stay in coverage and not blitz as they should get pressure with the four men rush

I think they need to sell out to stop the big the play on defense and avoid forcing the big play attempt on offense. If Tampa can get into the red zone about as much as Kansas City, or possibly even a bit less, I think they’ll win.

Tampa Bay’s offense in the red zone is hard to stop with the athleticism of Evans, having those tight ends, Godwin, etc. This is where, I think, having such a big variety of personnel options helps, and though I’ve crapped on Fournette and Jones all season, I’ve pointed out they are both much better closer to the goal line. Kansas City’s red zone defense? Dead last in touchdown percentage. Turnovers on deep pass attempts would be a killer for Tampa here...just so unnecessary to force it deep.

On defense, I think this is the one area where Tampa has as big of a relative edge as you can get against the KC offense. Like any team, KC has a much more limited playbook without the threat of the big play over the top. Having Vea and Suh in the middle is huge here, and this is also where those offensive line woes will hurt the most. You also have the two speedy linebackers, and the other factor is that Tampa’s defensive backs are almost all more physical than they are fast. If you can dedicate a linebacker to Kelce or even double him at all times inside the 10, it’s worth it. You just can’t lose track of him and let him slip out uncovered. They shouldn’t even worry about him as a blocker there.

I think Tampa wins if they keep KC from hitting those huge gash plays and be okay with allowing KC to get a lot of underneath stuff. Making them run more plays also means more plays their offensive line will be counted on, too. Make them provide consistent pass protection and make Mahomes throw 45 passes, mainly short ones. That’s how the 2007 Giants slowed down the Patriots. Might recall that the 2007 Jaguars used the same gameplan weeks before that and Brady went 26/28, with the difference in the games being pass protection.

 

[reesebobby]

Tampa held KC to just 10 points in the second half of the week 12 game. After the horrific first quarter where they gave up 17, they tightened up and of course the offense came alive at the same time. They are playing much, much better now on both sides of the ball and have a lot of moxie. It's not like the GB offense was also not a juggernaut too. They were the #1 scoring offense and had the league MVP as QB. And Tampa was down its best safety and lost its other safety to start the third quarter. KC is obviously a different animal offensively but they have not faced this type of defense yet. I think it is going to be fascinating to watch it unfold. KC missing both of its tackles is enormous for this game.

Losing Fisher is not good. Schwartz has been gone a long time and really not a big change for us. OL play is obviously important, but I'm not sure it is as important to our offense as it is to Matt Ryan, assuming Mahomes toe is not a huge problem for him. Which it might be. Who knows.

We were up 27-10 in the 4th quarter against the Bucs in the first game. One might argue that they figured us out, or one might argue that our game plan changed a little. Probably some of both. Taking nothing away from Tampa's defense, we scored 34 on the Ravens, 33 on the Dolphins, 32 on the Saints and 38 on the Bills.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Why AB and Miller will have huge games.

Miller is not a slot guy. I expect AB and Godwin in the slot

 

[TB12TheGoat]

I think they need to sell out to stop the big the play on defense and avoid forcing the big play attempt on offense. If Tampa can get into the red zone about as much as Kansas City, or possibly even a bit less, I think they’ll win.

Tampa Bay’s offense in the red zone is hard to stop with the athleticism of Evans, having those tight ends, Godwin, etc. This is where, I think, having such a big variety of personnel options helps, and though I’ve crapped on Fournette and Jones all season, I’ve pointed out they are both much better closer to the goal line. Kansas City’s red zone defense? Dead last in touchdown percentage. Turnovers on deep pass attempts would be a killer for Tampa here...just so unnecessary to force it deep.

On defense, I think this is the one area where Tampa has as big of a relative edge as you can get against the KC offense. Like any team, KC has a much more limited playbook without the threat of the big play over the top. Having Vea and Suh in the middle is huge here, and this is also where those offensive line woes will hurt the most. You also have the two speedy linebackers, and the other factor is that Tampa’s defensive backs are almost all more physical than they are fast. If you can dedicate a linebacker to Kelce or even double him at all times inside the 10, it’s worth it. You just can’t lose track of him and let him slip out uncovered. They shouldn’t even worry about him as a blocker there.

I think Tampa wins if they keep KC from hitting those huge gash plays and be okay with allowing KC to get a lot of underneath stuff. Making them run more plays also means more plays their offensive line will be counted on, too. Make them provide consistent pass protection and make Mahomes throw 45 passes, mainly short ones. That’s how the 2007 Giants slowed down the Patriots. Might recall that the 2007 Jaguars used the same gameplan weeks before that and Brady went 26/28, with the difference in the games being pass protection.

I like that plan. do the chiefs have anyone close to a guy like Welker if the bucs force them into a 2007 style game? Welker pretty much was the offense in that game. would have had an argument for super bowl MVP

I just hope Bowels doesn’t try to start blitzing a bunch

 

[amfootball]

I like that plan. do the chiefs have anyone close to a guy like Welker if the bucs force them into a 2007 style game? Welker pretty much was the offense in that game. would have had an argument for super bowl MVP

I just hope Bowels doesn’t try to start blitzing a bunch

The entire Chiefs offense goes through Kelce. That is the guy the Bucs have to take away. Hill goes without saying but in many ways he is easier to defend by bracketing him. Kelsi is a complete mismatch. Have to get physical with him like the Pats did in 2018. He is pretty soft when you push him around.

 

[TB12TheGoat]

The entire Chiefs offense goes through Kelce. That is the guy the Bucs have to take away. Hill goes without saying but in many ways he is easier to defend by bracketing him. Kelsi is a complete mismatch. Have to get physical with him like the Pats did in 2018. He is pretty soft when you push him around.

hopefully the bucs don't get fooled by him acting like he's going to block. i've seen him fake block for a second or two and then go out for the pass. if you think Kelce is staying in to block, he's not. they need to blast his ass at the line every single play like the patriots did to Faulk

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I like that plan. do the chiefs have anyone close to a guy like Welker if the bucs force them into a 2007 style game? Welker pretty much was the offense in that game. would have had an argument for super bowl MVP

I just hope Bowels doesn’t try to start blitzing a bunch

I think they have a lot of options on the shorter passes, but even though they are so different physically, Kelce is kind of their Welker guy. He‘s very difficult to cover and constantly moving the chains. A lot of the offensive scheme is designed fo isolate him against a favorable matchup. High volume of targets, high percentage of catches.

They also use Hill quite a bit on shorter/intermediate stuff, as he accelerates so fast and is a big play threat from anywhere. Tampa just can’t let him get behind the defense.

 

[amfootball]

If the Bucs gets pressure as expected with their front 4 vs the depleted KC Oline, it will be a long night for Mahomes. This has the potential to be similar to the 2015 SB when Denver's D obliterated the Panthers Oline.

 

[denverpatsfan]

I did attend the MNF in KC years ago. 2004 I think. That was the game where Deion Branch went crazy. I drove from Denver and got there not long before the game. The fans were super nice. It was just myself sitting in decent seats surrounded by Chefs fans. I did see a Pats fan get punched but who knows if he deserved it or not. You do need to keep it lower key if attending a road game. You could smell the BBQ and tailgating cooking from the highway. It was a great trip. Not much open in KC after midnite though. I think I ended up at the only late night diner in town.