Raiders Opinion: Super Bowl Viewing Guide

With the removal of the 2021 Pro Bowl, the NFL season will come screeching to a halt. When the clock strikes zero in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, the season ends. Considering this will be the last meaningful NFL football game for months, this is the last chance to watch elite talent for months. Contrary to popular belief, the Las Vegas Raiders can’t ask for nice things, like a competent red zone offense. While frustration exists in 

Great Coaching 

Things like a red zone offense are not reserved for certain teams. Realistically, any team could have these nice things, as long as they possess the talent to perform. This year’s Super Bowl features two of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL. We have Patrick Mahomes, the young gun, facing off against Tom Brady, the wily veteran. As fans watch the game in general, here are a few things to keep an extra eye on:

Chiefs Redzone Offense

 Andy Reid and the Chiefs adore running unique plays close to the goal line, specifically targeting highly acclaimed tight end Travis Kelce not only behind the line of scrimmage but behind the offensive line as well. The pass blocking abilities of the Raiders’ offensive line and Darren Waller’s insane athleticism could allow Las Vegas to get more unique in the red zone running plays similar to the Chiefs.

Buccaneers Defense

 Tampa Bay reached the Super Bowl due to the all-around depth of their roster. A major factor in their success has come from their defense. Tampa Bay has boasted one of the league’s best run defenses and their pass coverage has been consistently improving. Although Las Vegas has many steps to take to even be regarded as an impressive defense, the Bucs could be the blueprint of what this young Raiders defense could evolve into.

Using a Deep Threat

Lastly, keep an eye on the Chiefs’ utilization of Tyreek Hill’s speed. Similar to Henry Ruggs, Hill is almost uncatchable once he gets his legs moving. But, the Chiefs hardly seem to have a problem finding him in space, unlike the Raiders with Ruggs. Pay significant attention to the routes Hill runs and the specifications used to keep him as a threat. 

Bottom Line

Watch these aspects of the game, not to instill jealousy, but to raise expectations. It is easy to say “I wish we had a reliable redzone offense,” but not know what a good red zone offense will look like. Watching the Buccaneers and the Chiefs will give you an impressive idea of how good teams use red zone offenses, defenses, and speed.