Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs
· National Football LeagueBucs head to KC trying to spoil Chiefs' pursuit of franchise-record 14th straight win Monday night
Patrick Mahomes becoming the fastest player in NFL history to throw for 30,000 yards in last week's win over Las Vegas. Travis Kelce sitting one touchdown reception short of passing Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record.
Here's another one: The Chiefs, at 7-0 the last unbeaten team in the league, can set another club record Monday night against Tampa Bay by winning their 14th consecutive game going back to last season. It's a string of excellence that encompasses their run to a second straight Super Bowl title, and the longest in the NFL since they also won 13 in a row during the 2019-20 seasons.
“Guys have accepted the challenge,” Mahomes said, “and that's why we've been able to win these games we've won.”
The most remarkable thing about the winning streak is the Chiefs have not played particularly well, at least on offense, where they have lost their top two wide receivers and starting running back to what are likely season-ending injuries.
It's helped that running back Kareem Hunt, who was sitting at home as a free agent when Kansas City called, has rejoined his old team and been effective on the ground. And that the trade last week for DeAndre Hopkins already appears to be paying dividends, even though the three-time All-Pro wide receiver has had only a handful of practices with his new team.
“They know how to win,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. "They’ve been through it many times. They know how to win close games. They know how to win blowouts. So you’re going to have to play a heck of a ball game to beat them.”
The Buccaneers (4-4) have shown they can win close games, too. And lose them. They started the season 3-1 while handing the Lions their only loss through the first eight weeks of the season. But they followed by losing three of their past four, including a 31-26 loss to the Falcons last week.
Baker Mayfield has been playing well, but he'll be without injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on Monday night.
“Their offense is very efficient. Their quarterback is playing great, and he lost two of his guys and he keeps rolling,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They've got a real good offense, and they use all of them.”
“The guys that were here, we know how we did it," Mayfield said. "It’s doing the little things right, not beating yourselves. We have the mental makeup to overcome anything, and I truly believe that. I believe that’s the group that we have.”
“It’s frustrating because we’re making mistakes, beating ourselves. That’s the part we have to clean up,” said Bowles, whose defense has allowed at least 31 points in three of the past four games — all losses. “We can’t play ourselves plus the opponent.”
“Hitting him over that medium-to-long range is going to open up the guys down the field, and take pressure off other guys in terms of eyes and coverage,” Mahomes said. “Teams have to account for that.”
“I remember playing in Kansas City last year and we had to bring our A-game,” Uche said. “There's so many different threats and weapons on the team that you have to prepare for.”
How can I watch Buccaneers vs. Chiefs?
- TV Channel: Buccaneers at Chiefs 2021-22 NFL, week 9 is broadcasted nationally on ESPN and ABC.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Buccaneers vs. Chiefs on DAZN.
Statistics
TB | KC | |
---|---|---|
29.4 | Points Per Game | 24.7 |
404.6 | Total Yards | 358.0 |
273.6 | Yards Passing | 235.9 |
131.0 | Yards Rushing | 122.1 |
26.6 | Points Allowed Per Game | 17.6 |
405.5 | Yards Allowed | 302.7 |
273.9 | Pass Yards Allowed | 220.4 |
131.6 | Rush Yards Allowed | 82.3 |
Kansas City Chiefs Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Mike Danna, DE | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Kareem Hunt, RB | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Ethan Driskell, OT | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Isiah Pacheco, RB | Injured Reserve | Oct 31 |
Nazeeh Johnson, S | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Tykee Smith, S | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Lavonte David, LB | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Sterling Shepard, WR | Questionable | Oct 31 |
William Gholston, DE | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Ben Bredeson, G | Questionable | Oct 31 |
Game Information
Location: Kansas City, MO -
Capacity:
2024 NFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta | 5 | 3 | .625 | 0 | 194 | 195 |
Tampa Bay | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | 235 | 213 |
New Orleans | 2 | 6 | .250 | 0 | 185 | 206 |
Carolina | 1 | 7 | .125 | 0 | 124 | 271 |
2024 AFC West Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 173 | 123 |
Denver | 5 | 3 | .625 | 0 | 173 | 120 |
Los Angeles | 4 | 3 | .571 | 0 | 132 | 91 |
Las Vegas | 2 | 6 | .250 | 0 | 144 | 210 |
Buccaneers Last 5
Date | OPP | Result |
---|---|---|
vs PHI | W 33-16 | |
@ ATL | L 36-30 OT | |
@ NO | W 51-27 | |
vs BAL | L 41-31 | |
vs ATL | L 31-26 |
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