It will be a great matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, as Brady and Mahomes meet for the first time this year. Given that it is an AFC vs. NFC matchup, this likely marks the last time these two quarterbacks ever go head-to-head in a regular season.
Patrick Mahomes has continued to dominate this year, with the Chiefs taking just one loss through 10 games. Kansas City locked Mahomes up with a 12-year-deal, and he already appears to be outplaying the deal. With Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs are set up to be Super Bowl contenders for the next decade.
On the other hand, the Buccaneers have been very up and down the last few weeks. Tom Brady has been horrid when throwing more than 20 yards downfield, showing signs his career may be slowing down. The offense’s reliance on check-downs and intermediate routes makes scheming easier for opposing defenses. The recent Antonio Brown addition has helped matters there, though.
The spread for Sunday has the Chiefs serving as 3.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 56.
Kansas City Looks to Keep it Rolling
The run game has been able to get it done for the Chiefs. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire has struggled at times but usually does enough for the team to win. They had almost no running game a year ago, so it’s been good to see the rookie fill the holes that were left. They haven’t gotten much production out of Le’Veon Bell since signing him, but that could be because he’s still learning the playbook.
Mahomes and Travis Kelce might have the best quarterback-tight end chemistry in the entire league, and it’s been carrying the Chiefs thus far. The pair have connected for almost 900 yards and seven touchdowns.
Sammy Watkins is finally off injured reserve and will be yet another offensive weapon for Mahomes. Watkins has missed the last five games with a lingering hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay Seeking a Huge Win
Have we ever seen a 7-4 team that has varied so much between excellent and awful? Whether the Buccaneers are over- or underperforming, the team has been interesting to watch.
Tampa Bay’s running game has been pretty up-and-down this season. Ronald Jones has rushed for 754 yards this season, but 98 of those yards came on one run against Carolina two weeks ago. Leonard Fournette has yet to find his stride, rushing for 50 yards or fewer in six of eight games this year.
Sunday afternoon’s game is critical for Tampa Bay, as the Bucs try and make a stand to keep up with the Saints within the division. The race is a bit tight, and the odds are certainly not in their favor. Bruce Arians’ squad hasn’t been the most disciplined, and it’s hurt them.
Despite all the points they’ve been allowing, Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, and Jason Pierre-Paul have been making big plays consistently. Tampa Bay’s defense has been respectable this season but will have their hands full against a Chiefs offense loaded with weapons.
Chiefs Win Yet Again
While Tampa Bay’s defense is one of the more formidable units Kansas City will face this season, the Chiefs are too balanced of a team for the Buccaneers to slow down. Brady and the Bucs will struggle to keep up offensively. Take the Chiefs to win and cover.
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