The 2021 Super Bowl saw Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes face-off, but who won when the two went head-to-head in Tampa Bay? Let’s take a look at the 2021 Super Bowl score, how the NFL‘s biggest game shaped up the way it did, as well as the results from recent Super Bowls.
Who won the 2021 Super Bowl and what was the score?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9 Kansas City Chiefs
The Buccaneers ran out relatively easy winners over the Chiefs. The Buccaneers took control of the game in the first half and never let the Chiefs back in.
Brady completed 75 percent of his passes as he threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Leonard Fournette added 88 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Ronald Jones added 61 rushing yards. Rob Gronkowski scored two touchdowns with 67 yards on six receptions.
Patrick Mahomes could only complete 53 percent of his passes for 270 yards, and he was continually forced into uncomfortable situations by the Buccaneers’ defensive line. Mahomes would end up throwing two interceptions as he tried to force his team back into the game.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire managed to post 64 rushing yards on nine carries, while Travis Kelce added 133 receiving yards on nine receptions. Tyreek Hill added 73 yards on seven receptions, with the majority of that yardage coming in the fourth quarter. However, the Buccaneers’ defense largely neutralized the explosive Chiefs’ offense.
How did the first half shape who won the 2021 Super Bowl?
After a slow start for both offenses, the Chiefs took a 3-0 lead thanks to the foot of Harrison Butker. However, Tom Brady responded immediately, driving down the field for his first-ever first-quarter touchdown in a Super Bowl.
In the second quarter, the Buccaneers once again went down the field. However, the Chiefs stood firm at the goal line, forcing a turnover on downs.
The Chiefs’ defense then shot themselves in the foot repeatedly on the Buccaneers’ next drive. A holding penalty negated an interception before an offside penalty on a field goal extended the drive. Brady took full advantage and found Rob Gronkowski for the pair’s second touchdown of the 2021 Super Bowl.
After the Chiefs added another three points, their defense cost them once again. A pass interference call on Mike Evans put the Buccaneers in scoring range, and they converted to lead 21-6 at the half.
What happened in the second half to determine who won the 2021 Super Bowl?
After exploding out of the blocks in the second half, the Chiefs had to settle for a third field goal. Tampa Bay continued to make the Chiefs pay for their inefficiency, marching straight back down the field for another touchdown. This time it was Leonard Fournette who found the end zone as the Buccaneers opened up a 19-point lead.
An interception for Mahomes only led to three points for the Buccaneers. However, it extended the lead out to 22 points with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. The Chiefs would get back into the Buccaneers half on another two occasions. However, they came away with zero points as the Buccaneers’ defense stepped up once again.
Who won the five Super Bowls prior to 2021?
The results of the previous five Super Bowls have seen Tom Brady win a further two Lombardi Trophies.
Super Bowl 50: Denver Broncos 24-10 Carolina Panthers. Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots 34-28 Atlanta Falcons (OT). NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas.
Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles 41-33 New England Patriots. U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Super Bowl LIII: New England Patriots 13-3 Los Angeles Rams. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.
Super Bowl LI: Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 San Francisco 49ers. Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.