The Bee Super Bowl Challenge is back

SANDPOINT — The matchup for Super Bowl LV is set and you know what that means, it's time for the annual Bee Super Bowl Challenge.

It's your chance to win $100 for just sending in a prediction on who will win the biggest game of the year. After a year made of nightmares (thanks 2020), wouldn't it be nice to start 2021 with something everyone dreams of — free money.

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl looking for a repeat while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to the big dance for the first time since 2003.

Obviously, the big draw in this matchup is the head-to-head battle at quarterback. Tom Brady, "the old GOAT," will face off with the perceived "young GOAT" in Patrick Mahomes. The 43-year-old who has defied all expectations of falling off a cliff, versus the 25-year-old who has already established himself as the face of the NFL.

It's a heavyweight bout between two of the best the game has ever seen. For football fans and headline seekers, it's a matchup for the ages. If the Chiefs and Mahomes win, Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, will pass the torch to the presumed greatest quarterback of the next generation.

But if the Bucs pull it off, Brady will add yet another milestone to his unprecedented legacy and end any thought, debate or conversation about the New England Patriots starting a dynasty without him.

However, in a matchup like this where all the attention will be on the players under center, it's the defense that will most likely steal the show.

Who can stop who? I hate to say it — especially in an age where fans drool over offense — but defense wins championship. I'm sure you've all heard that saying, but it's true.

Both teams possess above average defenses and one will make a key play that will go a long way toward determining the Super Bowl champion.

Oddsmakers around the country are currently listing the Chiefs as 3.5 point favorites over the Buccaneers with the over/under hovering around 57.5.

When picking this game, keep in mind that this is the first time in NFL history a team in the Super Bowl will be playing in their home stadium. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic will dampen the Bucs' home-field advantage, but there's no doubt more Tampa Bay fans will be in the stands. What role will that play in the outcome? Probably none, but it's fun to talk about.

Going in, I think the defending champs are clearly the favorite, but a Tampa Bay victory wouldn't surprise anyone. Look out for my prediction on the game in the coming days. I will also dive into some of the crazy prop bets Vegas puts together.

Last year, April Clark won the Bee Super Bowl Challenge. She correctly picked the Chiefs to top the 49ers and nailed the Super Bowl MVP as Patrick Mahomes. She also nearly predicted the exact final score, missing it by one point.

Now it's your turn to win some cold, hard cash. Email in your prediction for the amount of points each team will score, the winner and your choice for the MVP to dgreene@bonnercountydailybee.com.

On Super Bowl Sunday, we will put a master list of the picks in the paper so you can follow along while watching the game.