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Chiefs pass rush needs to improve against Tom Brady and Buccaneers

By Travis Steffen

Defensive end Frank Clark #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with defensive end Chris Jones #95 (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Defensive end Frank Clark #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with defensive end Chris Jones #95 (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Can the defensive line turn things around against Tampa Bay?

Tom Brady continues to challenge the age factor in the NFL. At 43 years old, he’s not only still starting at the quarterback position but changed teams this offseason for the first time in his career. Getting after Brady will be a massive indicator of how things will go for the Chiefs defense on Sunday afternoon.

Tampa Bay currently sits at 7-4 on the season, coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. Looking at all four losses for the Buccanneers, one thing stands out more than the rest, and that’s pressure. The Rams only had one sack on the night, but the defense was consistently turning up the heat on Brady.

The New Orleans Saints swept the Buccanneers in 2020, collecting three sacks in each game. Another mediocre performance came against the Chicago Bears, where Brady was again taken to the ground three times. Primetime games and quarterback pressure look to be the top struggles for Brady and the Buccanneers thus far.

In pursuit of proving himself outside of Bill Belichick, Brady also chose to relocate to Tampa Bay to have prime offensive weapons. Players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were massive upgrades over what the 43-year-old veteran has had to work with in recent years. Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement to reunite with his quarterback, and Antonio Brown signed with the team in late October.

Brady has made the switch to play in a more vertical offense under head coach Bruce Arians, and he has the weapons to thrive. Currently, Tampa Bay ranks fifth in passing yards through Week 11. Moving the ball through the air and in big chunks is how the Buccanneers want to play offense. If the Chiefs don’t want to see a shootout between the two offenses, the defensive line will have to put pressure on Brady.

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