TAMPA BAY @ KANSAS CITY (KC -9, 45.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
BUCCANEERS @ CHIEFS 11/3/24
Despite being the only team in the NFL without a loss, the Kansas City Chiefs haven't shown a lot of success. Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, is fine with that. When the Chiefs (7-0) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, Mahomes and the Chiefs will attempt to keep winning.
The offense hasn't scored 30 points in a game this season, and Kansas City has won five of its games by seven points or less. Furthermore, two-time NFL MVP Mahomes doesn't have particularly impressive stats. He has more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (eight) and is ranked 16th in passing yardage (1,651). Of course, Mahomes doesn’t care as long as his Chiefs keep winning.
In a 27–20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 27, the Kansas City defense undoubtedly saved Mahomes. Halfway through the third quarter, with the Chiefs ahead 17–13, Mahomes threw an interception in his own end. That gave the Raiders a first-and-goal opportunity from the Kansas City 3-yard line. The Chiefs’ Tershawn Wharton sacked Gardner Minshew on fourth down after the Kansas City defense stuffed three consecutive running plays.
Prior to coming together and winning their third Super Bowl in the Reid-Mahomes era, the Chiefs also had setbacks last season. The Chiefs have won 13 straight games (excluding the playoffs) prior to this game against the Buccaneers (4-4).
Tampa Bay has lost each of its last two games. The Bucs have now won just two of their last five despite averaging 34.2 points per game. Even with all the points his team has scored, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is not impressed. Additionally, he isn't bragging about being the NFL's top quarterback with 21 touchdowns and second in yardage with 2,189 yards.
Mayfield has nine interceptions, which is the most in the NFL. He is tied with Mahomes and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Mayfield will be without standout WR Mike Evans again. Evans will miss Tampa Bay's second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. Chris Godwin, who dislocated his left ankle against the Baltimore Ravens on October 21, will also be out for the Buccaneers for some time.
Despite having a strong offense, Tampa Bay's defense has given up 30 points or more in three of the last four games. Todd Bowles, the coach of the Buccaneers, is not happy with his defense’s performance.
Evans was joined by defensive lineman Greg Gaines (calf), running back Bucky Irving (toe), linebacker Lavonte David (ankle/chest), and receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) on the sidelines during Wednesday's practice.
The Chiefs were without cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (concussion), offensive lineman Ethan Driskell (illness), and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) on Wednesday.
The Bucs, led by Tom Brady, beat the Chiefs 31-9 in the Super Bowl after the 2020 season. Tampa Bay has won six of the last eight meetings.
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Coach Rick Free PICK
FREE PICK: PATRICK MAHOMES OVER 1.5 PASSING TDS
Mahomes really hasn’t had the best stats so far this season, but the Chiefs keep winning. He’s only cleared this prop in 3 of 7 games this season and he’s only thrown 8 touchdowns in 2024. There is supposed to be some weather issues tomorrow night too, which will send bettors flocking to the Under, but Tampa Bay’s defense gives up the sixth-most passing touchdowns this season. Over the past two weeks, they’ve given up 9! The Bucs have some injury issues in the secondary and this prop opened with odds of around -108. It’s now up over -130.