Tom Brady is retired. Gronk has, too. Devin White was traded. Carlton Davis is now a Detroit Lion. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are just a couple of aging, ailing pass-catchers these days.
The NFL turns itself over nearly every year, so it's not shocking that the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no longer what they once were. However, something about that pewter and scarlet still doesn't sit right with my soul. The most haunting part is that #12 will never wear it again.
The Chiefs have already matched 2003 and 2013 by being the last unbeaten team left, but still have a long season to curry motivation for. Patrick Mahomes, in conjunction with his trainer Bobby Stroupe, has become one of the best revenge artists in NFL history. The "Burrowhead" comments were never taken lightly. The Chiefs tried their Super Bowl-winning play again against the 49ers. The Raiders probably regret their Kermit the Frog tomfoolery after Sunday afternoon.
There is only one ghost to chase for Mahomes and this is the only conduit for his directed football anger. Tom Brady is not coming back, but Patrick Mahomes has not left yet, and he can tear apart the team dressed like Tom the last time we saw him play
Chiefs vs Buccaneers: The Match-Up
The Kansas City Chiefs are just behind the Patriots when it comes to explosive play percentage with 7.9%, according to Field Vision Sports. The Bucs got to work early against the Ravens in Week 7 with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin coming up with big play after big play in the first quarter, but their injuries changed the complexion of the game for Baker Mayfield. The Falcons didn't have to worry about either, so the Chiefs probably won't as well.
Tampa is currently 4th in points per game, but the best defense they have beaten is Detroit's, and a healthy Aidan Hutchinson feasted with a gaggle of sacks. The Bucs are also 4th in passing yards and 8th in rushing yards, which is bolstered by being a top team in EPA, a measurement of a team's performance compared to expectation. The Chiefs defense has already dealt with potent offenses like Cincinnati and Baltimore, so Tampa offers a familiar challenge.
Similarly to what we have seen from Brian Flores in the last few weeks, a defense that constantly sends blitzes can be susceptible, which Todd Bowles' is. They give up points, passing yards, and rushing yards at a clip that would shock anyone with that much talent on the team. Part of their defensive inefficiency does have to do with Super Bowl LV. Remember how young that secondary was? They all wanted to get paid.
Kirk Cousins threw three first-half touchdowns against the Bucs in Week 8. Just a few weeks ago, we all remember him unleashing 509 yards through the air in a prime-time game (nice job, Kirk) against this very Bucs defense. Patrick Mahomes has the chance to light it up for the very first time while showing off his new target DeAndre Hopkins.
Conclusion
All in all, the Bucs present a challenge for the Chiefs when it comes to the entertainment factor. The Bucs have won games by having more horses than other teams. Their horses have a strained hamstring and a broken ankle, so a singular mule should be able to get the job done for Kansas City. I did not mean to be rude to Travis Kelce by calling him a mule, but if the shoe fits...