Chiefs look to continue winning ways against Buccaneers
By Kurt Hixson
Coming into their Week 11 match up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Kansas City Chiefs look like a team that knows who they are and are prepared to reach their ultimate goal, Super Bowl LI.
Just a week ago we all knew a win against Carolina would put the Chiefs great position, and that is exactly what has happened. Kansas City is now in first place in arguably the best division in football, with three of the teams owning three of the four best records in the AFC. For this reason alone, the Chiefs cannot afford to take any game for granted at this point in the season.
On Sunday, there are several things to watch for in this match up against the Buccaneers that will help decide whether this team will continue to keep pace with the rest of the AFC West, or take a step back in this close playoff race.
Alex Smith, and the Kansas City offense, will certainly have to take a step forward against a young Tampa Bay defense, after struggling to move the ball consistently in Smith’s first game back from a concussion. Last week, the Chiefs had an anemic 16 percent conversion rate on 3rd down against Carolina, going just 2-for-14.
This inability to convert on third downs is an important area to watch against a defense that Alex Smith called a “Jekyll and Hyde” unit during his weekly press conference. While the Buccaneers defense ranks 23rd in total yards given up, they rank in the top 10 in takeaways, signaling a unit that is both aggressive and a bit vulnerable at the same time. It will be a test for this office to continue their pattern of taking care of the ball, while also being able to push the ball downfield at home.
Another area to watch for in this match up is the overall health of the Kansas City defense. The Chiefs defensive unit has had to operate under a “next man up” mentality all year long and this week will be no different. On their official injury report, on kcchiefs.com, you will see potential starters; such as Derrick Johnson, Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, Tamba Hali, and Jaye Howard, yet again listed as questionable or doubtful. While a few of these listings are no doubt a precaution, the Chiefs defense will once again be asked to face a mobile quarterback with a potentially explosive offense with less than their full stable of defensive stars.
If the defense can continue to play successfully as the walking wounded at home, in front of what is sure to be a raucous crown, thanks to Jameis Winston’s recent comments questioning the effect of the crowd noise, the Chiefs will be in great position to extend their 10 game home win streak.
It would be foolish to end the article without including the one factor that Chiefs fans have been anticipating all season long. The return of the beast, Justin Houston. While Chiefs Kingdom has been patiently waiting for several weeks, hoping that each week is “the week,” this is likely the best, and most realistic, chance. It will also be our first look at a Chiefs defense with Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, and Dee Ford, who is currently tied for most sacks in the league.