The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night in a thrilling inter-conference clash. The Buccaneers enter this matchup with a 4-4 record, having suffered two consecutive losses. Conversely, the Chiefs stand tall as the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten team at 7-0, striving for a remarkable third consecutive Super Bowl title. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 PM EST.
Bucs Eye Upset on the Road
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have faced challenges lately, losing two games in a row, including a narrow 31-26 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons at home. This latest loss has significant implications, as the Buccaneers have now dropped the season series to the Falcons, which may affect their chances in the division race. Struggling with injuries to key wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs displayed resilience, with quarterback Baker Mayfield’s Hail Mary attempt at the end ultimately falling incomplete.
“It just looked like a mosh pit back there. … Kind of one of those things (where) you get your hopes up, but then you realize it didn’t work out,” Mayfield expressed. “But for our guys to fight, to get into that situation, you really can’t ask for much else.”
Despite the absence of their top receivers, the Buccaneers’ offense managed to produce impressive numbers. Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, although he did have two interceptions. He connected with nine different players, including tight end Cade Otten, who had nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Buccaneers amassed 432 yards of total offense and achieved 24 first downs. Defensively, however, they allowed 394 yards of offense, including 265 through the air, while registering two sacks and six tackles for loss.
As they head into Kansas City, the Buccaneers will face the challenge of competing without both Evans and Godwin. Godwin’s season ended due to a dislocated ankle, while Evans is sidelined for at least one more week with a hamstring injury. Mayfield will need to distribute the ball effectively against a tough Chiefs defense. The Buccaneers rank fourth in the league in scoring offense and total offense, and they excel in the red zone, converting third in the league in red zone opportunities to touchdowns. However, their defense ranks poorly, sitting at 28th in scoring and 30th in total defense. With a 10th place standing in sacks per game, they will need to leverage this strength against Kansas City.
Key Injuries: WR Chris Godwin and WR Mike Evans are out. S Tykee Smith, DT Greg Gaines, and LB Lavonte David are questionable.
Chiefs Continue to Dominate
The Kansas City Chiefs remain unbeaten following a 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday. This win marks the Chiefs’ fifth consecutive victory at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and extends their overall winning streak to 13 games, including playoff contests. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, usually the focal point of the Chiefs’ offense, praised his defense for stepping up during critical moments of the game.
“It’s easy in that situation to let them kind of get into the end zone because it’s not really on them,” Mahomes noted. “It was on the offense that put them in position, but they stood their ground. The defense made a big-time stop and we were able to carry momentum into a win.”
In the game, Mahomes passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns, making history as the fastest quarterback to reach 30,000 yards in his career, achieving this milestone in just 103 games. Tight end Travis Kelce played a pivotal role, recording season-highs with 10 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs’ offense accumulated 334 yards and converted 12 of 16 third downs, demonstrating their efficiency. Defensively, they limited the Raiders to 228 yards of total offense, allowing only 33 rushing yards, while recording five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Chiefs made moves to bolster their roster by adding veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins and edge rusher Josh Uche from New England. Hopkins is expected to enhance Mahomes’ options after the team lost Rashee Rice for the season. Currently, the Chiefs rank ninth in scoring offense and 11th in total offense. Despite challenges in the red zone, where they rank 24th in touchdown conversions, their defense shines, ranking fifth in scoring and total defense.
Key Injuries: WR Skyy Moore is out. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DE Mike Danna, and S Nazeeh Johnson are questionable.
Best Bets for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs head into this game with an impressive 7-0 record and a 13-game winning streak. They have not lost at home since last Christmas. The Chiefs are also 4-2-1 against the spread this season. However, they have struggled when favored by 6.5 points or more, with a 0-2-1 record in such situations after their last victory over the Raiders. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-1 against the spread on the road this season. Despite missing key players Evans and Godwin, the Bucs have shown they can continue to move the ball effectively and score late in games. Their strong red zone performance could play a significant role in this matchup, especially considering the Chiefs’ struggles in that area. While the Chiefs are favored to win the game, the Bucs may keep it close enough to cover the spread. Taking the Buccaneers plus the points could prove beneficial.
