Chiefs 2022 Opponent Overview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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After a devastating loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking for a bounce back. They still have a share of the AFC West lead entering Week 4, tied with the Denver Broncos at 2-1. However, the last two games have brought about some question marks. Some of these were already expected to be looming at the start of the season. Yet, the Chiefs offense has really only had one strong, complete showing through three weeks. It will not get any easier against this week’s opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers are similar to the Chiefs in many ways, as things stand early on in the 2022 season. Neither offense is living up to their potential or firing on all cylinders. Tampa Bay has dealt with a lot more injuries, though. With a lack of scoring, both defenses have had to rise up. And for the most part, each defense has for Kansas City and Tampa Bay. In fact, the Buccaneers defense has allowed the fewest points in the league through three weeks, while also leading the NFL in takeaways.

More on some of the key matchups and game planning will be covered right here throughout this week. Today, we will be giving our own view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

Brady Attacking Quickly

The difficulty of trying to stop Tom Brady is felt by both the opposing pass rush and the secondary. With his ability to get the ball out quickly, defenses have to make immediate decisions on the fly. This involves the coverage that they run against him, disguising blitzes and how defensive backs are supposed to attempt to space the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Brady had the second shortest time to throw and the fourth deepest average depth of target entering Week 3.

Against the Packers last week, the Buccaneers did not see as consistent success when attempting to go down the field. What did Brady do? Overall, he won by getting quick passes off underneath into the shallow areas and towards the perimeter. Certainly, Tampa Bay found some creases with occasional intermediate throws into the middle of the field. Brady’s wicked release, mixed with his otherworldly velocity and accuracy, has continued to create explosive plays. That is still true, even if he is not standing in the pocket for a great deal of time, on average.

Relying Too Much On The Running Game?

As mentioned above, the Tampa Bay offense has not been lighting up the scoreboard at a high rate. Part of this could be attributed to the play calling, especially on early downs. Mainly, the Buccaneers have been running the ball at a high rate on first or second down. Leonard Fournette has had a career renaissance, so to speak, with the Buccaneers. Yet, his start to the season has been up and down. Fournette’s four yards per carry so far in 2022 is a bit misleading. For instance, in the first game against the Dallas Cowboys, the LSU product racked up 6.05 yards per carry on 21 rushing attempts. In the last two games combined, Fournette has mustered just 2.7 yards per carry on 36 rushing attempts.

Defenses are selling out to keep Fournette contained to the inside. With his lack of shiftiness and inconsistent short area quickness, the cutback attempts are usually snuffed out quickly. As a result, relying on the running game has put the Buccaneers in longer downs and distances, while also taking them off schedule offensively.

Perhaps, more running attempts can be expected, given their injuries at wide receiver. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay is getting bogged down, from their offensive pace perspective. You also have to wonder about the Buccaneers being able to last upfront, given their early injuries on the offensive line.

Catching Opponents Off Guard

New head coach Todd Bowles is still the one who dials up the defensive plays for the Buccaneers. Simply put, his exotic looks, and post-snap wrinkles are among the rarest and most deceptive in the NFL. Last week, for example, he had a 347-pound nose tackle drop back into coverage when Tampa Bay was backed up in their own end. Vita Vea not only got tremendous depth quickly, but he also helped break up the pass for a fumble near the end zone. That was the closest that Green Bay came to scoring the rest of the day.

Elsewhere, his ability to design blitzes is highly fascinating. Bowles simply brings extra rushers by utilizing anyone and everyone. Tampa Bay will continually bring defensive backs at quarterbacks, as well as the athletic linebacker duo of Lavonte David and Devin White. Lastly, the defensive line is built with dense, but quick, pass rushers who can win with length and physicality. Opponents just do not know exactly where they will all be coming from.

The icing on the cake is the ball skills and instincts of the Buccaneers secondary. Names like Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean can be tenacious in man coverage. When Tampa Bay goes with zone coverage, they are equipped with excellent range and versatility from safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Logan Ryan. This veteran group does a great job of baiting the quarterback into bad decisions.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.