Skeleton Keys To Victory: Buccaneers At Chiefs

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of a win this week. After dropping three of their last four they now have an overall record of 4-4. Unfortunately, that won’t be an easy task as they travel to Kansas CIty to play the Chiefs on Monday night football. 

Beating the back to back Super Bowl Champions will be no easy task. It’s not exactly the “get right” game that a struggling team is looking for. However, there are no pity parties in the NFL and you have to beat the team that’s in front of you.

Despite their recent struggles, I believe that this is something the Bucs can do. In fact, I wouldn’t even find it surprising if they pulled off the upset as nine point underdogs. I look at why in this week’s Skeleton Keys to Victory.

Pound The Rock

The Bucs ran the ball with success last week vs the Falcons. Bucky Irving averaged 4.9 yards per carry and Rachaad White averaged 4.8 yards per carry. The only negative to speak of is that neither received double digit carries in the game.

That must change this week despite facing an even better run defense. In fact, the Chiefs are the second best rushing defense in the NFL, not far behind the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Buccaneers also ran the ball well against the Ravens, so there is reason to believe they can do the same this week.

The Chiefs linebackers are both very fast and very physical. This game will not just be about winning at the point of attack, but also for the offensive line to climb the ladder and make blocks at the second level. With excellent athletes all along the line, the Bucs are well equipped to do this.

Force The Chiefs To Get Open

The Chiefs are lacking in terms of playmakers. Even with the likes of Travis Kelce and newly added DeAndre Hopkins, there really aren’t any natural separators on this roster. This is the biggest reason the CHiefs are middle of the road in passing yards and have thrown more touchdowns than interceptions.

And if you’re thinking that they might have a strong running game to lean on, then you are mistaken. In fact, the Chiefs are tied for 30th in the NFL in average yards per carry.Really, outside of the names of the coach and the quarterback, there is really nothing scary about this Kansas CIty offense.

That’s why the Buccaneers need to force them to make plays. The soft zone, bend but don’t break approach plays right into the Chiefs hands. It basically allows these subpar playmakers to get open at will and relies on Patrick Mahomes making a mistake or the defense making a splash play. I wouldn’t count on either of those things happening. 

Pressure these playmakers and force them to get open. Force this running game to beat you. Force them to have to make splash plays to win the game because I’m not convinced they can.

Protect The Ball

For the last two weeks, Baker Mayfield has played some good football at times. In fact, I would say that he was even mostly good in the loss to the Falcons last week. If he can maintain the good then there is every reason to be excited about this offense.

However, there has been a turning point in the last two losses where Mayfield threw back breaking interceptions. Throwing a flea flicker into double coverage was one of two last week that ended otherwise very promising drives. Really, it’s only been Mayfield’s shortcomings that have stopped this Bucs offense in recent weeks.

In a game where you know your opponent’s offense isn’t very good, you can’t afford to give them extra opportunities. The Chiefs are a defensive football team and hang their hat on trying to frustrate offenses. Protect the ball and make Kansas City’s offense beat you without help from their defense.

For more from J.T. click here, then make sure to follow him on Twitter.

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