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Buccaneers-Chiefs Preview
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs have reached the point where they seem to be making history just about every week.
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.”
Tampa Bay has struggled for the second straight year after a hot start. But players say there’s no panic, especially after they lost six of seven after a fast start in 2023, only to rebound by winning five of six and earning a third straight division title.
“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.”
While the Buccaneers have evolved into a potent offensive team, ranking fourth in yards and scoring, it seems to have come at the expense of the defense, which has been on a decline since Bowles was hired as the coordinator five years ago.
“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.”
The Buccaneers and Chiefs have only met 15 times since Tampa Bay joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. And while the Chiefs have won two of the past three, Tampa Bay won the one that counted most: Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to a 31-9 rout in the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2021, which happened to be played on their home field.
Despite having just two practices last week, Hopkins was on the field for about a third of the Chiefs' offensive plays, and caught two passes for 29 yards. Now, with another week-plus to learn the offense, he figures to have a much bigger role Monday night.
“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.”
The Chiefs landed some pass rush help this week by trading a sixth-round pick in 2026 to New England for Josh Uche, a 2020 second-round pick of the Patriots. He has 20 1/2 sacks over parts of five seasons, including two through the first seven games of this season. His best year was in 2022, when Uche had 11 1/2 sacks and forced two fumbles in 15 games.
“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.”
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AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall in Tampa, Florida, contributed.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
B. Mayfield
6 QB
221 FPTS
|
B. Mayfield | 202/284 | 2189 | 21 | 9 | 221 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. Irving
7 RB
87 FPTS
|
B. Irving | 76 | 395 | 3 | 32 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. White
1 RB
87 FPTS
|
R. White | 67 | 256 | 0 | 56 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Tucker
44 RB
40 FPTS
|
S. Tucker | 23 | 175 | 1 | 36 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Mayfield
6 QB
221 FPTS
|
B. Mayfield | 29 | 169 | 2 | 18 | 221 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Shepard
17 WR
31 FPTS
|
S. Shepard | 4 | 31 | 0 | 24 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McMillan
15 WR
27 FPTS
|
J. McMillan | 2 | 28 | 0 | 17 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Godwin
14 WR
134 FPTS
|
C. Godwin | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 134 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Johnson
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Thomas
37 CB
0 FPTS
|
T. Thomas | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Trask
2 QB
0 FPTS
|
K. Trask | 2 | -2 | 0 | -1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Otton
88 TE
84 FPTS
|
C. Otton | 1 | -4 | 0 | -4 | 84 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Godwin
14 WR
134 FPTS
|
C. Godwin | 62 | 50 | 576 | 5 | 55 | 134 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Otton
88 TE
84 FPTS
|
C. Otton | 51 | 36 | 344 | 3 | 29 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Evans
13 WR
93 FPTS
|
M. Evans | 45 | 26 | 335 | 6 | 25 | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. White
1 RB
87 FPTS
|
R. White | 31 | 28 | 236 | 3 | 32 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Irving
7 RB
87 FPTS
|
B. Irving | 22 | 20 | 164 | 0 | 25 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Shepard
17 WR
31 FPTS
|
S. Shepard | 17 | 11 | 111 | 1 | 30 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McMillan
15 WR
27 FPTS
|
J. McMillan | 22 | 10 | 109 | 1 | 32 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Tucker
44 RB
40 FPTS
|
S. Tucker | 7 | 6 | 91 | 1 | 36 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Palmer
10 WR
19 FPTS
|
T. Palmer | 11 | 7 | 90 | 1 | 25 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jarrett
18 WR
8 FPTS
|
R. Jarrett | 3 | 3 | 58 | 0 | 20 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Miller
81 WR
8 FPTS
|
R. Miller | 6 | 4 | 58 | 0 | 39 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Wirfs
78 OT
|
T. Wirfs | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Durham
87 TE
1 FPTS
|
P. Durham | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Johnson
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
L. David
54 OLB
|
L. David | 35-21 | 3.0 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dean
35 DB
|
J. Dean | 33-10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Whitehead
3 FS
|
J. Whitehead | 31-19 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Izien
29 DB
|
C. Izien | 28-12 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. McCollum
27 CB
|
Z. McCollum | 24-14 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Britt
52 LB
|
K. Britt | 24-25 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
23 DB
|
T. Smith | 21-11 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Y. Diaby
0 LB
|
Y. Diaby | 15-6 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Winfield Jr.
31 SAF
|
A. Winfield Jr. | 15-13 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Dennis
8 LB
|
S. Dennis | 13-7 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Vea
50 DT
|
V. Vea | 13-7 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Kancey
94 DT
|
C. Kancey | 8-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Nelson
98 LB
|
A. Nelson | 8-6 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Hall
90 DE
|
L. Hall | 8-5 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Funderburk
24 CB
|
T. Funderburk | 8-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Tryon-Shoyinka
9 LB
|
J. Tryon-Shoyinka | 7-7 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brewer
95 DT
|
C. Brewer | 6-4 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Braswell
43 LB
|
C. Braswell | 5-6 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Gholston
92 DT
|
W. Gholston | 3-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Russell
51 ILB
|
J. Russell | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Gaines
96 DT
|
G. Gaines | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Merriweather
26 SAF
|
K. Merriweather | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hayes
32 DB
|
J. Hayes | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Greene
91 DT
|
M. Greene | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. McLaughlin
4 K
75 FPTS
|
C. McLaughlin | 13/14 | 56 | 24/25 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||
T. Gill
16 P
|
T. Gill | 0/0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
P. Mahomes
15 QB
110 FPTS
|
P. Mahomes | 154/225 | 1651 | 8 | 9 | 110 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. Hunt
29 RB
60 FPTS
|
K. Hunt | 84 | 308 | 4 | 13 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Steele
42 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. Steele | 41 | 140 | 0 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Mahomes
15 QB
110 FPTS
|
P. Mahomes | 34 | 139 | 1 | 33 | 110 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Pacheco
10 RB
31 FPTS
|
I. Pacheco | 34 | 135 | 1 | 11 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. Worthy
1 WR
71 FPTS
|
X. Worthy | 7 | 47 | 2 | 21 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Perine
34 RB
27 FPTS
|
S. Perine | 13 | 45 | 1 | 9 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hardman
17 WR
19 FPTS
|
M. Hardman | 2 | 38 | 1 | 20 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hicks
21 SAF
2 FPTS
|
J. Hicks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kelce
87 TE
75 FPTS
|
T. Kelce | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Rice
4 WR
64 FPTS
|
R. Rice | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 64 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. Kelce
87 TE
75 FPTS
|
T. Kelce | 48 | 38 | 335 | 1 | 38 | 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Rice
4 WR
64 FPTS
|
R. Rice | 29 | 24 | 288 | 2 | 44 | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
X. Worthy
1 WR
71 FPTS
|
X. Worthy | 37 | 19 | 235 | 3 | 54 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Gray
83 TE
35 FPTS
|
N. Gray | 18 | 17 | 208 | 0 | 29 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Smith-Schuster
9 WR
29 FPTS
|
J. Smith-Schuster | 12 | 9 | 147 | 1 | 50 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Watson
84 WR
20 FPTS
|
J. Watson | 12 | 10 | 128 | 0 | 25 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Perine
34 RB
27 FPTS
|
S. Perine | 12 | 9 | 104 | 0 | 22 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hardman
17 WR
19 FPTS
|
M. Hardman | 7 | 6 | 58 | 0 | 17 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Pacheco
10 RB
31 FPTS
|
I. Pacheco | 8 | 7 | 54 | 0 | 23 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hunt
29 RB
60 FPTS
|
K. Hunt | 7 | 6 | 40 | 0 | 15 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hopkins
10 WR
40 FPTS
|
D. Hopkins | 3 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 16 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Steele
42 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. Steele | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wiley
12 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Wiley | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fortson
88 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Fortson | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Mahomes
15 QB
110 FPTS
|
P. Mahomes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Morris
64 OT
|
W. Morris | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Moore
24 WR
0 FPTS
|
S. Moore | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
N. Bolton
32 LB
|
N. Bolton | 37-16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Cook
6 FS
|
B. Cook | 27-6 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reid
20 S
|
J. Reid | 27-12 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Tranquill
23 LB
|
D. Tranquill | 24-14 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Conner
27 DB
|
C. Conner | 23-9 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Watson
35 CB
|
J. Watson | 21-11 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Chenal
54 LB
|
L. Chenal | 20-6 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McDuffie
22 CB
|
T. McDuffie | 16-10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Karlaftis
56 DE
|
G. Karlaftis | 9-9 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Danna
51 DE
|
M. Danna | 8-6 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. Anudike-Uzomah
97 DE
|
F. Anudike-Uzomah | 8-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Wharton
98 DT
|
T. Wharton | 7-6 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Jones
95 DT
|
C. Jones | 7-8 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Herring
94 DE
|
M. Herring | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Roland-Wallace
30 CB
|
C. Roland-Wallace | 4-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Pennel
69 DT
|
M. Pennel | 4-5 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Johnson
13 SAF
|
N. Johnson | 4-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Nnadi
91 NT
|
D. Nnadi | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
2 CB
|
J. Williams | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hicks
21 SAF
|
J. Hicks | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cochrane
43 LB
|
J. Cochrane | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
H. Butker
7 K
63 FPTS
|
H. Butker | 14/16 | 53 | 17/18 | 59 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |