2 weeks Ago
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs have become relatively familiar opponents over the last four seasons. Usually accustomed to one matchup every four years, the recent tinkering to the NFL schedule will make Monday's game the fourth contest between the teams in his span. But the modern 17-game schedule is not the only reason for that.
The two also squared off in Super Bowl LV in February 2021. Plenty has changed for the Bucs since that time though. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Tom Brady is no longer at the helm of the offense and Bruce Arians is no longer the Bucs head coach.
Flash forward to this season, Baker Mayfield is the Bucs' starting quarterback, taking on this team without his two best weapons and Todd Bowles has since assumed head coaching duties. For the Chiefs, this season is much of the same luxury they have grown accustomed to. A 7-0 start without truly reaching their apex, yet fully expecting to be a deciding factor on this year's Super Bowl outcome.
In the recent history of this matchup, Kansas City has taken two of the three games. Can Tampa Bay perhaps recreate some Super Bowl magic to settle the score? For that to happen, the Bucs will need to overcome some serious talent deficiencies on their offensive side. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain out of the lineup and third option Jalen McMillan popped up with an injury this week.
With Cade Otton, Rachaad White and Bucky Irving still available, Mayfield will need to take care of the ball and get a little more help than usual from his available assets. Related: Bucs Update Defensive Injuries Ahead of Monday Night Football vs. Chiefs Defensively, the Bucs have to limit the big plays and contain Patrick Mahomes on scrambles.
Stops will come at a premium, but Tampa Bay will need to string those together. Big plays and costly lapses will get them caught in holes they will not be able to dig out of. All those things together do not guarantee a Bucs win But they do represent Tampa Bay's best chance of victory.
If they accomplish those objectives, perhaps then they will find the same result they earned against the Chiefs in February 2021..
