TAMPA — It didn’t make up for what occurred the final time the Kansas metropolis Chiefs visited Raymond James Stadium, however Patrick Mahomes & Co. sure created a mannequin new reminiscence in an monumental method on Sunday night.
The Chiefs blasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, forty one-31, in a rematch of large Bowl fifty five that despatched a message that their extreme-powered offense nonetheless has a terribly important deal of juice.
Mahomes handed for 249 yards and three TDs. Travis Kelce wreaked havoc with 9 catches and ninety two yards. Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for ninety two yards and produced two scores.
they typically represented simply amongst the numerous factors for the Bucs protection.
That Kansas metropolis (three-1), rebounding from its solely lack of the season, put up such an complete offensive clinic was spectacular ample.
however to dominate the Bucs protection on this style?
stunning.
Tampa Bay (2-2) entered the sport permitting an NFL-low 9 factors per sport, and its large-play protection had basically stored the Bucs afloat in countering the struggles of Tom Brady and an damage-stung offense.
properly, the Bucs protection lastly collapsed for the primary time this season. It was the exact reverse of the battering it inflicted in large Bowl fifty five on Mahomes, then weakened by damage and a since-rebuilt offensive line. the majority of the Bucs’ defensive large Bowl starters have been on the sphere on Sunday night.
however it absolutely was clear from the early hole that Tampa Bay found itself mired in – Mahomes found Kelce for a sixteen-yard TD simply forty two seconds into the sport after Rashaad White fumbled away the opening kickoff – that it was not an night the place historic previous would repeat itself.
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Three issues we found from the Chiefs’ win Sunday night:
The Bucs’ run protection sprung a critical leak. What occurred? Of all of the woes expert by Tampa Bay’s protection, it was extra full when contemplating the Chiefs shredded the usually hermetic run protection for 116 yards on 20 carries – inside the primary half! And it occurred in healthful chunks as KC, led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, ripped off seven runs of no decrease than seven yards inside the primary half. The tone was set when the Chiefs averaged eight.eight yards inside the primary half, which laid the muse for the stability and creativity that stored the Bucs D on its heels. The Bucs entered the sport with the league’s fifth-ranked run protection, permitting three.eight yards per carry. however that is absolutely a case the place it’s not the way you start.
Reinforcements mattered solely tons. An offense that produced simply three TDs by way of the primary three video games needed a jolt. The hope acquired here with Tom Brady having his full bundle of entrance-line broad receivers intact for the primary time since Week 1 as Mike Evans returned from a one-sport suspension, and Julio Jones and Chris Godwin acquired here again after lacking the earlier two video games with accidents. properly, it’s nonetheless a bit in progress as a end result of the chemistry and rhythm sputtered early. Evans didn’t catch a move till the second quarter and massive performs from the passing sport have been so unusual as Brady typically opted for test-down passes pretty than extra aggressive downfield throws.
Tyreek Hill can’t get changed … however they will’t cease making an try. The Chiefs undoubtedly miss the massive-play impression of Hill, the explosive receiver traded to the Miami Dolphins by way of the offseason as a contract stalemate thickened. That’s the place newcomers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have alternatives, whereas roles out of the backfield are created for Jerick McKinnon and rookie Isiah Pacheco. It was additionally notable that the Chiefs acquired brief TDs from backup tight ends Noah grey – who shifted to line up behind center and scored on a 1-yard sneak — and Jody Fortson. In utterly different phrases, coach Andy Reid and coordinator Eric Bieniemy seem eager to repeatedly test their creativity.
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