The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now 4-4 after two straight losses against the Baltimore Ravens and the divisional rivals Atlanta Falcons. The injury bug has been invading the Buccaneers organization since training camp. The Bucs have nine players on IR. In the game against the Ravens, Bucs Wide Receiver Chris Godwin suffered a left dislocated ankle. Also, veteran Wide Receiver Mike Evans went out of the same game with a hamstring injury.
Godwin was leading the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Last week, in the 31-26 loss against the Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned the ball over three times, which hurt the Bucs’ chances of keeping pace with them. Bucs Tight End Cade Otton was the leading receiver in that game with nine receptions, 81 yards, and two touchdowns.
Without their two starting receivers, the Bucs turn to their young receivers, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller, Trey Palmer, and rookie Jalen McMillan, to continue offensive production. On Monday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the two-time Super Bowl champions and undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Can the 4-4 Buccaneers give the Chiefs their first loss of the season?
Bucs Offense
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without their starting receivers and have a young receiving squad, but they have something going their way. The team’s run game has slowly begun to produce, with Running Backs Rachaad White, rookie Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. In week six against the New Orleans Saints, the Bucs gained over 200 yards in rushing. White was injured that game, but Tucker carried the ball for 136 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown. Rookie Running Back Bucky Irving also had a touchdown with 81 yards.
If the Buccaneers can get their three-headed monster going from the backfield, that could limit the Kansas City Chiefs offense from hitting the field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ passing game isn’t without hope. Last week, Otton became Quarterback Baker Mayfield‘s favorite target. Bucs rookie Jalen McMillan took most of the snaps last week with Evans and Godwin out.
McMillan, who is still adjusting to the NFL, caught four passes for 35 yards, but on two separate plays, Mayfield and McMillan miscommunicated and missed out on those potentially big plays that could have changed the game for the Bucs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the league’s top teams for third-down conversions.
Buccaneers Defense
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will face Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes hasn’t been his best and is 16th in the league in completion percentage. He has thrown eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.9. Mahomes has completed 68% of his passes, ranking him eighth in the league. The Chiefs offense is ranked 20th in the NFL in total yards. In passing, they are 18th in the league, and in rushing, they are ranked 20th. Travis Kelce, Chiefs tight end, had his best game of the season last week with ten catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense hasn’t been as efficient as the offense. The Bucs’ defense is ranked near the bottom of the league at 30th in total allowed yards. In passing, the Bucs are again 30th in the NFL, but they are ranked 20th in rushing. Buccaneers Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey has played the last three games but missed the Bucs’ first five games of the season. Lavonte David, went out last week with an ankle injury and is questionable for the game against the Chiefs. The Chiefs haven’t been the explosive offense we are used to seeing, but they have found a way to win this season.
Final Thoughts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a tall order to deal with on Monday against the Chiefs. Both teams have had injuries to the receiving unit and will be looking to improve their offensive struggles. The Chiefs are undefeated at 7-0. In 1998, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 that year, giving them the only loss of that 15-1 season. Could the Bucs make the same journey with the Chiefs? Will the run game be the answer for the Buccaneers to improve to 5-4 for the season? We will see on Monday.
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