The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clashed with the Kansas City Chiefs Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla. It was the first time in NFL history that a team would contend in the Super Bowl on their home field.

The matchup featured two of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City got on the board first with a 49-yard field goal by their placekicker Harrison Butker.  

On the very next drive, the Buccaneers struck first as Brady found his most reliable target, Rob Gronkowski, on the left side for the 8-yard touchdown. 

With Kansas City left tackle Eric Fisher out (torn Achilles) and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz out (back injury), the Chiefs were struggling to give their quarterback, Mahomes, time to throw. Mahomes was sacked three times in the game.

“I was not expecting that at all,” OCCC student Conner Chambers said.

To start the second quarter, Brady connected with his tight end Gronkowski for a second time resulting in a 17-yard score.

Chiefs later cut the lead to eight when their kicker, Butker, kicked another field goal, but this time it was from 34-yards out.

Unfortunately, Kansas City left too much time on the clock for Brady and the Buccaneers’ offense.

Brady threw his third touchdown pass finding his wide receiver Antonio Brown on the right side for the 1-yard score–capping off a five play, 71-yard drive which lasted only 55 seconds.

Brady finished the game with 201 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while throwing for zero interceptions

This gave Tampa Bay a 21-6 lead going into halftime.

To start the second half, the Chiefs made sure they got some points on their opening drive, and they did just that. Their placekicker, Butker kicked his third field goal of the game which was from 52-yards out.

Sadly for the Chiefs, the Buccaneers held them scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The Buccaneers defense was the biggest story of the game, forcing Mahomes  and the Chiefs offense to throw two interceptions, go 3-13 on third down conversions, and 1-3 on fourth down conversions.

“I think the narrative still stands that defense wins championships no matter how good the offense is,” OCCC student, Daxton Yandell said. 

On the following drive, Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette ran in a 27-yard touchdown following a nice block by his left guard Ali Marpet to put his team up 28-9.

Buccaneers placekicker Ryan Succop kicked a 52-yard field goal to seal the game for his team.

Tampa Bay stood tall this time, getting the win over the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.

Brady captured his seventh super bowl win, which is now the most in NFL history.