For a reviewer, objectivity is the keystone of integrity. A critic must remain impartial when reviewing an event. It is with this essential fact in mind that I write my review of Super Bowl LV. As always, I will score each aspect of the “Big Game” on a scale of one to four taco salads, my go-to Super Bowl meal of choice.
The Hype
The circumstances around this game were unlike any other. The lingering specter of COVID put a damper on what should have been the most overhyped Super Bowl in history. Any other year, the endless stories about the GOAT taking on the baby GOAT would have driven even the most die-hard football fan to the brink of madness. And, really, isn’t that what the Super Bowl is all about? Instead, the media’s primary focus was (rightly) on the virus. Hopefully, we never have another Super Bowl where the number one storyline involves wearing facemasks. What should have been the most gloriously overhyped game in history was sadly muted.
Then again, the Buccaneers won the game! Does the hype even matter?
The Game
Most of the so-called pundits expected an offensive explosion ending in something like a 38 to 35 thriller. Instead, Tampa Bay’s blistering defense silenced Kansas City’s offense in a way no other team has been able to do in the Mahomes era. Kudos to Todd Bowles, the Bucs defensive coordinator, who was the game’s true MVP (with all due respect to TB12). His scheme forced the Chiefs usually unflappable QB to scramble for a mind-boggling 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The game was pretty much over after the Chiefs fell apart at the end of the first half. Their questionable time management decisions and penalties led to a 21 to 6 halftime deficit that was almost impossible to overcome. Someone with no vested interest in the game could be excused for skipping the Fourth Quarter. For a Bucs fan, though, the game was an all-time classic right up there with Super Bowl XXXVII!
The Broadcast
CBS Play by play man Jim Nantz is always solid, dependable, and maybe just a tad bit boring. His approach is surprisingly refreshing for the 21st Century. There are two camps regarding color commentator Tony Romo: Those who enjoy his unique insights about the intricate details of the game and those who find his nasally voice coupled with his overly enthusiastic delivery unbearably grating. While I generally find him to be the former, he trended more towards the latter this year. I think Tampa Bay’s surprising dominance may have thrown him off his game. Of course, it’s that dominance makes it totally excusable.
The Halftime Show
Before the halftime show, I knew one song by The Weeknd. I now know eight songs by The Weeknd. Before the halftime show, I liked one song by The Weeknd. I still only like one song by The Weeknd. And I had to sit through ten minutes of men dancing around while wearing jockstraps on their heads to hear it. But Tampa Bay was ahead by 15 points. Nothing else mattered.
The Commercials
Advertisers faced a tough challenge trying to sell products at a time when the country is terribly divided and suffering through a horrible pandemic. Their solution seemed to be celebrities. And lots of them! Bruce Springsteen urged the country to reunite (and buy a Jeep). Matthew McConaughey had to suffer through a flat 2D existence until he discovered 3D Doritos. Jason Alexander’s face was on a sweatshirt for some reason. Amy Schumer really likes mayonnaise. Will Ferrell has a poor grasp of geography. Wayne & Garth use Uber Eats and are sadly getting old. Timothée Chalamet will most definitely play Edward Scissorhands in the inevitable reboot. Many other famous people wanted you to buy lots of stuff. Three commercials I liked:
DoorDash delivers to Sesame Street!
Tracy Morgan and Tampa’s own Dave Bautista want you to get a mortgage using your cell phone.
Anthony Anderson’s family football games are better than yours.
Honestly, though, I probably paid less attention to the commercials this year because the game was just so perfect.
Overall
Maybe the Best Super Bowl Ever!!!
Dude…you forgot the taco salads.! 🙂
They are showing up on the website but did not make it to the email for some reason. WordPress can be fickle sometimes!
Always enjoy reading your thoughts, so I will ask for more.
What about the job that the referees did? Thoughts?
BTW when you want to watch an actual classic Super Bowl watch this one. It even includes one Tony Dungy.
No doubt that it was not the best game for the refs (as is sadly often the case in important games). The first (and longer) pass interference call at the end of the first half was a close one. I thought it looks like PI in real-time, but the replay made it much more questionable. My teams have been on both the right and wrong sides of these types of calls many times. The second penalty in the end zone was not a good call. The ball was clearly not catchable. In general, I thought the refs called the came too close. In a Super Bowl, they should just let the teams play and only penalize the most egregious fouls. The Chiefs didn’t lose the game because of the refs, though (like how the Saints lost the NFC Championship to the Rams a couple of years ago). They lost because their offensive line had no answer for the Bucs defense. I would love to have seen a game with both teams at full strength (which also was not the case in their regular season match-up when several key Bucs defenders were out).
Super Bowl XIII was definitely one of the all-time classics. Thanks for sending me down a watching highlights of old Super Bowls on YouTube rabbit hole!
Can not wait for next year……can they do it again? I agree their defense was spectacular – Mahomes is probably still stunned.
Wonder how many people consider becoming a vegan like TB 12? That perhaps is the real fountain of youth. Was interesting seeing photos of him over the years. You could tell about the time he changed his diet.
Did enjoy the commercials more this year, probably because I saw most of them on line earlier in the day.
There was a reporter who tried the Brady diet and could not make it more than a few days. I think it would be easier to stick to if you had a personal chef! He is definitely an inspiration for eating better.
Yeah, it was a different time back then. I have often wondered how players from back then would fare in today’s game. Thanks for thoughts.
It is amazing how much smaller the linemen and linebackers are compared to today’s game. These guys were still elite athletes, though, and I’m sure they would be able to adapt.