Buccaneers vs. Chiefs: Matchup analysis
By David Thomas
Spencer Ware vs. Buccaneers Front 7
Against the fourth-ranked rushing defense last week, Ware ran for 61 yards on 13 carries for a healthy 4.7 yards an attempt. This week he takes on a bit of an easier opponent in the Buccaneers 15th ranked rushing defense. The Bucs defensive line sees 60 percent of runs aimed between or behind the guards and are allowing an average of 4.47 yards for 29th in the league. The Chiefs run the ball between or behind the guards 54 percent of the time, but are only averaging 3.64 yards per attempt for 23rd in the league.
If the Chiefs are able to take advantage of the Bucs interior weakness, Spencer Ware should be in for another productive day. It’s tough to speculate how the Chiefs will attack the Bucs defense, but expect Ware to get his fair load and continue to be effective.
Justin Houston vs. Buccaneers Offensive Line
Welcome back, Justin Houston! After originally being expected to start last week against the Panthers. Houston will be suiting up this weekend against the Buccaneers in Kansas City. Against the Bucs Houston will go against the 17th-ranked pass protecting defense. Offensive tackles Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson are ranked 65th and 22nd, according to PFF. So far this season the Bucs have given up 24 sacks with an adjusted sack rate of 6.3 percent (league average is 6.1%).
However, their line has given up 69 total QB hits. Which is second in the league only to the Browns. Something that may also assist Houston is the emergence of Dee Ford. Ford is currently tied for first in number of sacks so far this season (10). Andy Reid could line them up on opposite or the same side, forcing the Buccaneers to single block one of them.
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With all that in consideration this should be a great matchup for the Chiefs. The Bucs are a good young team who are dealing with some inconsistency issues. The Chiefs themselves have struggled often on offense this year.
They have not scored a touchdown since the first quarter against the Jaguars, but this week will be facing the 26th ranked defense in points allowed. This will also be Doug Martin’s second game back after missing seven weeks with an injury. The Chiefs have continued to struggle in run defense (outside of the red zone), so it should be interesting to see how they hold up against the Muscle Hamster. Guess only time will tell.