Chiefs-Buccaneers: 5 things to watch in Week 9’s Monday Night Football

For the third time this season, there shall be a primetime matchup on GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium. The (7-0) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are welcoming the (4-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers for “Monday Evening Soccer” at 7:15 p.m. Arrowhead (Customary) Time.

The actual rematch of Tremendous Bowl LV has already occurred: Kansas Metropolis defeated Tampa Bay 41-31 in 2022’s Week 4. Since then, the Buccaneers have transitioned to quarterback Baker Mayfield. However head coach Todd Bowles continues to be the defensive play-caller — and nonetheless has a few of the similar gamers who gave quarterback Patrick Mahomes hassle three years in the past final February.

Tampa Bay will attempt to disrupt the rhythm Mahomes established throughout final week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, whereas persevering with its offensive success.

Listed below are 5 issues to look at in Monday night time’s battle.

1. A press release from the Chiefs’ passing offense

In Las Vegas, Mahomes was in management from begin to end, arguably enjoying his finest recreation of the season. That confidence ought to grow to be extra harmful as new large receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues to assimilate — and performs greater than 32% of the offensive snaps.

This season, Tampa Bay ranks twenty ninth in passing yards allowed per recreation and thirtieth in completions allowed. During the last two video games, the Buccaneers have allowed 72 factors and 451 yards per recreation.

The Buccaneers’ go protection is weak. Just a few weeks in the past, an already-thin cornerback group misplaced its prime participant (Jamel Dean) to harm. Security Antoine Winfield just lately returned from an early-season harm to his ankle and foot — however throughout the previous week, he appeared on the harm report and is questionable to play.

The cornerbacks behind starter Zyon McCollum are both rookies or simply as inexperienced. Kansas Metropolis’s play-calling ought to emphasize its vertical assault with rookie wideout Xavier Worthy (and others).

2. Getting Baker Mayfield off schedule

With Mayfield working the present, the Tampa Bay offense has been a top-five unit in 2024. He leads the NFL in landing passes (21) and ranks second in passing yards per recreation (274).

He has executed most of that with large receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Sadly for the Buccaneers, Godwin’s season is over — and Evans has already been dominated out for Monday. Any absence of key weapons can disrupt a quarterback’s rhythm — which defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo considers to be considered one of Mayfield’s strengths.

“I see a man that’s getting the ball out actually fast and on time,” he advised reporters on Thursday. “Earlier than the ball is snapped, he realizes what he has — and he is aware of proper the place he’s going with the ball. I don’t see a whole lot of off-schedule [throws], and we all know he’s athletic sufficient to do this… He has simply been actually environment friendly within the go recreation on first and second down.”

The Chiefs’ defensive entrance must create fast strain to disrupt Mayfield’s development — however the again finish additionally wants to remain prepared from snap to whistle. Mayfield is tied for the league lead in interceptions (9), so he’s keen to check tight home windows.

3. Working round Vita Vea

Although Kansas Metropolis stands out as the workforce finest suited to doing it, blocking Tampa Bay nostril deal with Vita Vea is not going to be straightforward. He leads the workforce in tackles for loss (6) and is tied for essentially the most sacks (3).

“He’s a heck of a soccer participant,” Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy famous on Friday. “He can play the A-gap and B-gap on the similar time; [he’s] bodily robust. Within the go recreation, when he will get his palms on you, it’s going to be powerful to get away. He places stress on you as an offensive line. Now we have a whole lot of religion in our guys, however he’s a hell of a participant.”

Kansas Metropolis’s working type has been about grinding contained in the tackles — Vea may make that tough to do. The Chiefs must use outside-hitting runs and counters to seek out seams away from him. In Monday’s matchup, injured working again Isiah Pacheco’s absence could be felt extra strongly.

4. One other tight finish to problem Kansas Metropolis’s protection

In Week 8, the Chiefs have been capable of restrict Las Vegas tight finish Brock Bowers to just a few difference-making performs — but it surely was nonetheless a reminder of their observe file: no workforce has allowed extra receiving yards per recreation (81) or receptions (7) to tight ends.

With the accidents Tampa Bay has suffered at large receiver (even veteran receiver Sterling Shepherd has not practiced prior to now week), we will anticipate tight finish Cade Otton to get loads of work.

“Once they now don’t have the 2 receivers, [Otton’s] targets and ticks went up — so we’ll concentrate on that,” famous Spagnuolo. “That type of expertise at tight finish presents some issues.”

During the last two weeks, Otton has totaled 181 yards and two scores over 17 receptions. On Monday night time, he’s prone to be Mayfield’s main goal.

5. Persevering with red-zone success

For the reason that bye week, the Chiefs have improved at ending the drives that enter the crimson zone. The offense has left with six factors on seven of the 9 instances it has handed the 20-yard line (78%) — a a lot increased fee than the season common (52%).

The advance got here with Kelce’s first landing of the season — an encouraging instance of Mahomes utilizing his arm energy to throw into a decent window.

It additionally gave us a glimpse of how Hopkins can be utilized within the crimson zone. On this play, he runs a slant that comes open in opposition to zone protection. Whether or not he’s manned up or discovering a window, Hopkins’ presence will assist maintain momentum close to the objective line.