The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to host the 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in Week 9. Kansas City remains the last undefeated team in the NFL at (7-0) and has leaned on their defense to help them reach this point. With their success usually coming from their offense led by Patrick Mahomes, this season he has not been up to par with his usual standards. As for the Buccaneers, they are looking to get back into the win column after dropping their last two games at home and keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.
Both Kansas City and Tampa are without their top wide receivers at this point in the season. This is something the Kansas City Chiefs have been able to work through and overcome, but the Bucs have not had the same fortune, with them losing Chris Godwin for the rest of the season and Mike Evans being out with a hamstring injury. Tampa’s offense has not been able to deliver for them in recent weeks, while Kansas City has been to etch out wins consistently. Here are three things to know heading into this Week 9 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Dominance
As mentioned, the Kansas City Chiefs have relied on their defense for the majority of their season for much of their success through eight weeks of the season. Kansas City’s defense currently ranks fourth in both yards and yards allowed and has yet to allow any team to score more than 28 points. A streak that dates back to their Super Bowl against the Eagles.
The weakest part of the Kansas City Chiefs defense is their pass defense, but even so, Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnoulo has found ways to limit top-ranked offenses week after week. Heading into this game their pass defense currently ranks 17th in the NFL, but in large part that is because their secondary has been more of a bend but don’t break type of unit this season. Currently giving up 212.7 yards per game, they have only surrendered nine touchdowns.
The Chiefs strength this season defense has been their run defense. This area of their defense has managed to hold every opposing running back to season lows. Kansas City shuts down opposing offense run games forcing them to become one-dimensional and in this game, that will likely continue for Tampa Bay which prefers to be a heavy pass type of offense.
Challenges Surrounding Tampa Bay’s Offense
Injuries have certainly limited the Bucs effectiveness offensively in recent weeks. With their top two receivers going down adjustments have been made to remain competitive offensively, although it has not resorted to a win since both of their injuries their offense has managed to produce decent yardage and scoring outputs. Tampa Bay’s overall offense ranks fourth in the NFL with their passing offense putting them at second-best in the NFL. In their last two games, they have managed to score at least 26 points and remain around their season average of points of 29.4 per game.
Baker Mayfield has thrown for six touchdowns in his last two games but also four interceptions. This is not surprising given the type of player he is which falls under the “gunslinger” category, but because of him having to rely on younger guys stepping up, it has created an increased chance of mistakes happening. Those are mistakes the Kansas City Chiefs secondary will be ready to take advantage of. Another area the Kansas City Chiefs will look to advantage of is the Bucs run offense. They enter this game ranked as the 10th-best unit in the NFL.
Spearheaded by rookie Running Back Bucky Irving who has 395 yards rushing on the season and averages 5.2 yards per carry. Success for this unit will largely depend on the Bucs offensive line which has been up and down in their last two games, and with them about to go up against the Chiefs defensive line next, that trend is likely to continue. However, if Tampa Bay hopes to leave Week 9 with a win, this area of their offense has to be able to find success. If not, and they are forced to rely overall on a pass-heavy game plan, they will be playing right into the Kansas City Chiefs defensive game plan.
Mahomes and the Chiefs’ Offensive Adjustments
Kansas City’s offense is taking a conservative approach this season, due to Patrick Mahomes not playing to his usual standards and injuries. Through eight weeks Mahomes has an 8-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio—the worst of his career. However, the Kansas City Chiefs have managed to find ways around their issues by relying on shorter-timed routes and their run game.
To also help with these issues, they recently added veteran Wideout Deandre Hopkins from the Titans, in his first game although his impact was minimal he showed promising flashes. With the Chiefs wide receiver core depleted due to injuries, this upcoming game will allow Hopkins to take that next step into becoming Mahomes top receiver moving forward. Additionally to help with these issues is the reliable presence of Travis Kelce, who is coming off his best game of the season with 10 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Despite these offensive adjustments, Kansas City’s run game has lagged, ranking near the bottom of the league. Facing a Buccaneers defensive line that includes formidable players like Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, the Kansas City Chiefs may find limited success on the ground. This matchup may see Kansas City relying more on their passing game, even if it hasn’t been as prolific as in past seasons.
Final Thoughts
Both teams face challenges that make this matchup less predictable than it might seem on paper. Kansas City’s stout defense and Tampa Bay’s weakened offense set the stage for a lower-scoring game than some may expect. Yet, with Mahomes’ ability to create scoring opportunities under pressure, the Kansas City Chiefs retain a clear advantage. Tampa Bay’s path to victory relies on maintaining a balanced offensive strategy and finding ways to exploit Kansas City’s run defense.
Injuries and adjustments have shifted the strengths of both teams, creating a unique Week 9 showdown. While the Kansas City Chiefs defense has stood tall this season, the Buccaneers are hungry to reverse their recent fortunes. As both teams continue to make their way toward a postseason spot, this game may very well determine their momentum heading into the second half of the season.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
