Patrick Mahomes was magic on Sunday Night. He came into Tampa Bay and executed at a high level. The only exceptions were an interception he threw late in the game and a missed fourth down conversion in the first half. He threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with eight different receivers. Though he was sacked three times he still scrambled for an additional 34 yards. He left Tampa Bay with the win.
The Chiefs had the Buccaneers on the ropes within two minutes of the game starting. Truth be told, that might be the difference. Kansas State Wildcat Alum, Elijah Lee may have had the play of the game during the first kick off when he secured a fumble from the Buccaneers returner on their 21-yard line. Two plays later and Magic Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for a touchdown.
Tampa Bay finally had all their receivers up and ready for game day…or so it seemed. Mike Evans led the team in receptions, routinely “Mossing” Chiefs defenders when the opportunity presented itself. Chris Godwin’s numbers would have been better but for a holding call that negated a 20-yard reception. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers finally starting picking on rookie Jaylon Watson late in the 3rd quarter. It was too little too late. Right now, Watson is a bang or bust player. That is to be expected from rookie defensive back. Brady feasted on him late in the game, however Watson held his own in the first half. The Buccaneers only attempted six rushes and were rewarded with six yards. Forty-Five-year-old Tom Brady was the Buccaneer offense, and though prolific with 385 yards and three touchdowns, he just wasn’t enough. Overall, the Buccaneers special teams and defense were exposed by the Chiefs. Magic Mahomes and company finished the job.
The Kansas City Chiefs greatly improved their rushing attack this week. No one was expecting the Chiefs to smash into the Buccaneers for 189 yards on the ground. Up until Sunday night, the Buccaneers had only allowed one 100-yard rushing game. Conversely, the Chiefs were averaging 92 yards rushing a game. On Sunday night the Chiefs rushing attack exploded on to the scene. Tonight, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) led the team with 92 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Rookie Isiah Pacheco, an excellent complement to CEH, tacked on another 63 yards rushing. Pacheco runs with violence making defenders think twice before they attempt to tackle the 5’10, 215 pound running back. Brett Veach has yet another late round steal.
Steve Spagnuolo had his defense ready to deal with the Buccaneers. L’Jarious Sneed is the defensive standout of the evening. You can hardly take your eyes off number 38 as he flies around the field making plays. Sneed isn’t just a stat collector. He makes plays. He forced a fumble and executed a driving stopping sack. He led the team in tackles from his defensive back position. He is Coach Spag’s Swiss Army knife on defense. He rushes the passer, defends receivers and plays great run defense. The defensive backs on the outside were taxed by Brady, especially rookie Jaylon Watson. Despite that, the Chiefs defense stuffed the run and constantly pressured Brady. Tom Brady will get his throws, but the defense did an excellent job of corralling receivers to prevent yards after catch.
The other area of improvement for the Chiefs offense was third down efficiency. They only converted three out of ten third downs last week against the Colts. Tonight, they converted twelve of seventeen. Andy Reid must have emphasized third down at practice this week. The key for the Chiefs in third down situations is to get the offense to third and short or third in medium. In most cases the offense was able to accomplish that goal. However, the few times that the Chiefs were in 3rd and long situations, Mahomes found a way to convert. When he didn’t, they kicked a field goal or went for it on fourth down.
It was nice watching Mahomes walk off the field victoriously. You can tell Patrick Mahomes enjoys playing the game. When the play breaks down he runs around like he is on a playground and finds a way to score or get a first down. Andy Reid still enjoys coaching too. I think he enjoys drawing up his red-zone plays the most. Today he dialed up several trick play touchdowns. First, he had Jerrick McKinnon take the snap and hand off to CEH for their second touchdown of the game. Did you know that McKinnon was a starting college quarterback at Georgia Southern? A few possessions later, Coach Reid called an underhanded shovel pass setting up the Chiefs on the one yard line. As Patrick Mahomes was calling an audible, tight end Noah Gray took the direct snap and ran it in to put the Chiefs up 27 to 10 late in the 2nd quarter. Mahomes and Reid are continuing having fun and win games. Let’s see what they dial next up against the Raiders on Monday Night Football!
