Let’s take a closer look at this primetime matchup

The Bucs are on prime time once again, this time in Kansas City to take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. After dropping their last two games, Tampa Bay needs to get back on track but it won’t be an easy task.

To break down the Chiefs a bit further, we sat down with Jared Sapp of Arrowhead Pride to get a closer look at how things could play out Monday night.

1. The Chiefs are the only undefeated team in the NFL. What has contributed the most to their success so far this season?

“It’s going to sound cliche, but depth players have stepped up in the face of key injuries, and the team is playing unselfishly. Patrick Mahomes seems to have the opinion that there will be future seasons to pad his career stats and that this season is about going with what is working. So far, what is working is a run game that wears down opponents and a defense that seemingly has not lost a step from last year’s Super Bowl winning effort.”

2. How good do you think the chances are of a threat-peat for Kansas City this year?

“Rationally, if I had to bet money on the Chiefs vs. the field, I’d probably take field. But it’s getting hard not to feel like it’s in reach. No one looked at the Chiefs early slate and predicted a 7-0 start. The Chiefs have had the answers thus far for some devastating high-profile injuries. A three-peat likely hinges on whether injured players like Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco make it back as reinforcements — or if the Chiefs’ brutal injury luck continues. Losing a backup tight end to a torn ACL in practice this week just makes it feel like the injury bug isn’t going away.”

3. If you were the Bucs offensive coordinator, how would you look to attack this Chiefs defense?

“You are wasting a down running the ball at Kansas City. No running back has totaled more than 58 yards against the Chiefs (Jordan Mason of the 49ers in Week 7). The Chiefs rush defense is for real, and they have shut down performances against Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, and Alvin Kamara on their early season resume. Getting backs isolated against Kansas City linebackers in the passing game, however, has proven more fruitful.

I think Bucs tight end Cade Otton is an underrated player. It has gotten better, but opposing tight ends have had their moments against the Chiefs’ linebackers and safeties. I expect Otton to be a big part of the Bucs’ game plan.

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Chiefs lost and underrated starting cornerback two weeks ago in Jaylen Watson, and his replacement Nazeeh Johnson will miss Monday’s game with a concussion. Joshua Williams had a dreadful Week 8 after taking over opposite Trent McDuffie, both with coverage issues and penalties. It almost seemed like he had the yips in the third quarter. The Bucs first course of action should probably be seeing if Williams can stop even their current group of wideouts.”

4. Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled so far this year. What is one matchup worth keeping an eye on when it comes to the Bucs defense vs the Chiefs offense?

“It hasn’t been explosive, but the Chiefs’ offense has ran through steady performance in the run game this year. The on-field product isn’t always pretty, but the offense has rarely been in dire situations because of the ability to constantly get four or five yards on the ground. I am very interested to see the Chiefs interior offensive line against Vita Vea. I actually expect this to be a week Mahomes takes over more than previously seen in 2024 because yards on the ground may be more at a premium.”

5. What is your score prediction for this week?

“I think Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs’ defense are going to take advantage of key absences to Tampa Bay offensive stars and make life hell for Baker Mayfield. I also think Mahomes will get a big play to Xavier Worthy early in the game to keep the Bucs defense honest so the Chiefs can at least be respectable running the ball. Tampa Bay is a game opponent, but I think the talent they are missing will play to the Chiefs’ strengths. Predicting a 27-17 Kansas City win on Monday night at Arrowhead.”

Thanks so much to Jared for doing this!