Chiefs vs. Buccaneers predictions: Kansas City narrowly picked to win

Our writers predict the Chiefs will be locked into another close battle in Week 12 against the Buccaneers.

Coming off a close win against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs are traveling to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. The Chiefs will be trying to do something that they haven’t been able to do since 1993 when Joe Montana was their quarterback, and that is beat Tampa Bay.

Last week, the Chiefs were locked into a back and forth game against the Raiders. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked like a MVP again, passing 45 times with 34 completions for 348 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He led them on a 4th quarter comeback over the Raiders with less than two minutes to score the game winning touchdown.

While the Chiefs did not run the ball a lot, rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a solid game, running 14 times for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns. With such a back and forth game, the Chiefs didn’t really have time to establish more of a run game as they were working to outscore the Raiders. They ended up winning the game 35-31.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers took on the Los Angeles Rams and couldn’t get the job done in a close one. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady continued to have a rough season, as he did not look good against the Rams. He completed 26/48 passes for 216 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 costly interceptions. The Buccaneers could not get a run game established at all either, with running back Ronald Jones II rushing 10 times for just 24 yards. The Buccaneers ultimately lost 27-24.

The Chiefs are coming into the game totally healthy, but the Buccaneers are dealing with some injury problems. The Chiefs are getting wide receiver Sammy Watkins back from a hamstring injury for the first time since Week 5.

For the Buccaneers, cornerback Jamel Dean and tight end Tanner Hudson are out while offensive guard Ali Marpet and offensive tackle Donovan Smith are questionable.

Our writers are predicting a close game with the Chiefs coming out on top. Here are our full writer predictions:

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 35, Buccaneers 31

I think this is a game that the Chiefs should dominate the Buccaneers in, but I think Tom Brady will bounce back from last week and find a way to make it a close game. Like last week, I don’t think either team will gain any true momentum and it will be close until the end with the Chiefs coming out on top.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 20

I think the idea of this being ultra-competitive is blown out of proportion. The Chiefs know what’s at stake and this would go a long way toward that elusive top seed. Chiefs by 10.

Lyle Graversen: Buccaneers 37, Chiefs 34

I have a bad feeling about this game. The Chiefs defense is in a little bit of a slump and Tom Brady is going to be fired up, ready to redeem himself after a bad second half in their Monday night loss. The Chiefs offense scores their fair share of points, but Brady leads the Bucs on a last second field goal drive that breaks Chiefs fans hearts one more time.

Sterling Holmes: Chiefs 31, Buccaneers 30

I am predicting a nail-biter with the Chiefs defense struggling of late, which will make this game live up to the hype. With the lack of a pass rush, the Chiefs secondary has been getting beat and we need to see Frank Clark, Chris Jones, or anybody else put pressure on Brady. The x-factor will be the Mahomes-to-Kelce connection, and I am predicting a Brady mistake to seal the win for Kansas City.

Scott Loring: Chiefs 26, Buccaneers 23

This one could get weird. The Chiefs defense has looked flat recently and Tampa Bay has too many weapons. The Bucs will be in control of most of this game. It won’t be pretty, but the Chiefs will somehow escape with another how-did-they-do-that win.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 45, Buccaneers 42

The Chiefs and Bucs are offensive juggernauts, each with the capability to explode, and there is little to stop either of these teams from doing so. The Bucs need this win to stay in the divisional race with the Saints, so they will be playing with a little desperation, while the Chiefs’ defense should be frustrated beyond words after last week’s abysmal showing. On top of all of that, watching Mahomes finish last week’s game successfully and Brady drop last week’s game in the final moments solidifies this pick for the Chiefs.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 45, Buccaneers 35

This is the hardest game to predict due to the inconsistency of the Bucs. The Raiders exposed a lot of holes in the Chiefs defense that the Bucs could exploit. But Mahomes will keep the team on top.