Super Bowl 55 preview: 5 x-factors for Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55, and these five players will key defending their title.
5. Harrison Butker, K
Let’s start on special teams. Butker is usually one of the best kickers in the league, but he has endured some struggles this year. He’s largely been good on field goals (29-of-32 including the postseason). Meanwhile he’s been ragged on extra points, missing seven attempts. Ironically, his lone missed field goal in the playoffs came from extra-point distance. Kansas City can’t afford to leave points on the field against Tampa Bay.
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4. Sammy Watkins, WR
Watkins hasn’t been on the field since Week 16 when he suffered a calf strain during a win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Kansas City Chiefs desperately needs its third-best pass-catcher to be on the field at full strength on Sunday, with the Buccaneers likely trying to eliminate Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce with brackets and doubles. Watkins only had 37 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns this year. However he’s able to go off at any time.
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
Edwards-Helaire was solid as a rookie, rushing for 803 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games before missing a month with hip and ankle injuries. This weekend, it’s about grinding out tough yards against Tampa Bay’s excellent front, something he’s done well. He hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in a game since Week 6, and while he isn’t likely to go for 100+ in the Super Bowl, he needs to keep the Buccaneers honest by making the most of his chances.
2. Andrew Wylie, RT
Wylie played 14 games as Kansas City starting right guard this season, while lining up once as the right tackle. Now, he kicks outside again with the torn Achilles for Eric Fisher sustained in the AFC Championship Game. In his one foray on the edge this season, Wylie was largely matched up with New Orleans Saints All-Pro defensive end Cam Jordan, and Wylie did well. In fact, Jordan punched Wylie in the second half and was ejected.
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1. Frank Clark, DE
Clark could change the game. He’ll mostly line up across from Buccaneers’ left tackle Donovan Smith. Clark has a pair of sacks in the playoffs (he had five in the 2019 postseason) after only notching six during the regular season. When he’s rolling and right, Clark is one of the best edge players in football, and could swing the game with a huge play off the edge against Tom Brady.
