5 lessons Buccaneers can learn from SF 49ers Super Bowl loss to Chiefs
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Lesson to Buccaneers No. 4: No room for offensive turnovers
Jimmy Garoppolo tossed two interceptions in Super Bowl LIV, and one can only wonder what the outcome could have been if just one of those had found its intended target.
Against a highly potent offense like that of the Chiefs, turning the ball over is inherently dangerous and likely disastrous. While Kansas City generated 22 defensive takeaways over the course of 2020, which was good for 10th best in the league, its turnover differential of plus-0.4 was seventh best in the league.
And on offense, the Chiefs turned the ball over only four times.
Simply put, and just how the Niners found out, giving Patrick Mahomes and Co. extra chances is not an ideal situation to be in. Sure, San Francisco picked off Mahomes twice in the Super Bowl a year ago (more on that in a second), but those extra chances are going to be killers.
Tom Brady tossed three interceptions against the Packers on three consecutive drives. Perhaps only Green Bay’s offensive mismanagement prevented those turnovers from being more disastrous than they actually were.
If the Buccaneers want to ensure they eliminate those unnecessary opportunities, ensuring Brady doesn’t have another three-pick game is essential.