Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) his touchdown scored against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arians 'not excited' to face Chiefs' potent offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face their toughest challenge when they go up against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium next month. Tom Brady is excited to face Patrick Mahomes, but Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians seems less enthusiastic about it. 

Arians admitted during his Monday press conference that familiarity with the Chiefs will help the team prepare for the matchup. However, he also said he's not looking forward to facing Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. 

"I mean, you go back and you look at the game and what matchups you had," Arians said, according to Pro Football Talk. "I'm not really excited playing Tyreek Hill and [Travis] Kelce and [Patrick] Mahomes. That's a formidable challenge, but our guys will be up for it."

The Chiefs and Buccaneers met earlier this season, with Kansas City coming out on top 27-24. The Tampa Bay defense allowed Mahomes to throw for 462 yards and three touchdowns. Hill had 13 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while Kelce had eight catches for 82 yards. 

Quite frankly, the Buccaneers defense will have to be far better than it was earlier this season if it wants to help bring a title back to Tampa Bay.

Arians and the Bucs have two weeks to prepare for the Chiefs. They also don't have to travel, which is a huge advantage given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs aren't allowed to arrive in Tampa Bay until Feb. 5 due to COVID-19. However, the team plans to arrive on Feb. 6, just one day before the Super Bowl. It could impact the game, though Mahomes and company should be ready to go, as usual. 

If the Buccaneers win, it'll be their first Super Bowl title since 2003. If the Chiefs win, they'll become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005 — Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
NHL announces 2024 Selke Trophy finalists
J.J. Watt has interesting comments on possibility of playing in 2024
Russell Westbrook reacts to reports of him leaving Clippers
Ant-Man leads Timberwolves to Game 1 upset of Nuggets
Luis Arraez makes history in Padres debut
Corey Heim dominates Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway while tempers flare on pit road
Lionel Messi sets MLS record with monster game
Watch: Anthony Edwards does it all for Minnesota
Watch: 150th Kentucky Derby ends in three-horse photo finish
Clippers could see nine-time All-Star jump ship this summer
Phillies get rough injury news on Trea Turner
Watch: Yankees star Aaron Judge receives first career ejection after arguing called third strike
Mavericks lose key player for 'significant period of time'
Blue Jays manager John Schneider blasts team after latest loss
Lakers make another big change after firing Darvin Ham
Draymond Green doubles down on Knicks' inability to win a championship
Phillies lose two-time All-Star to injured list
NBA announces punishment for Lakers star over actions in elimination game
Heat may be cooling on Jimmy Butler's long-term future
NFL insider defends former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett from 'bust' label

Want more NFL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.