KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be rewriting their own record books on a weekly basis.
Last week’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders saw Patrick Mahomes achieve a milestone, becoming the fastest player in NFL history to accumulate 30,000 yards. Additionally, Travis Kelce is just one touchdown catch away from surpassing Tony Gonzalez to claim the franchise record.
In another potential achievement, the Chiefs stand as the last undefeated team in the league at 7-0. They will have the opportunity to secure their 14th consecutive victory dating back to last season with a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. This remarkable streak has included their march to a second consecutive Super Bowl title and marks the longest winning run in the NFL since their previous streak of 13 wins during the 2019-20 seasons.
“The guys have accepted the challenge,” Mahomes commented. “That’s why we’ve been able to win these games.”
What’s impressive is that even as the Chiefs have enjoyed this success, their offensive performance hasn’t been stellar, particularly given their recent injuries. They lost their top two wide receivers and starting running back to injuries that are likely to keep them out for the season.
Fortunately for Kansas City, former running back Kareem Hunt has rejoined the team and has been effective in his role. Additionally, the recent trade for DeAndre Hopkins seems to be beneficial, even though the three-time All-Pro receiver has only joined the team recently for a limited number of practices.
“They know how to win,” commented Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles. “They’ve been through it many times. They know how to win close games. They know how to win blowouts. You’re going to have to play exceptionally well to beat them.”
The Buccaneers, sitting at a 4-4 record, have shown their capability of winning tight contests but also the potential to lose them. They began the season strong at 3-1 but have stumbled recently, losing three of their last four games, including a narrow 31-26 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons last week.
Baker Mayfield has been performing well for Tampa Bay, but he will be without the services of injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on Monday night.
“Their offense is very efficient,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid noted. “Their quarterback is playing great, and even without two of his key players, he continues to perform well. They have a strong offensive unit, and they utilize everyone effectively.”
Struggling through another season after a promising start, the Buccaneers are trying to keep panic at bay. Despite their setbacks— which included losing six out of seven games after an encouraging beginning in 2023—they previously rebounded by winning five of six to earn a third consecutive division title.
“The guys that were here, we know how we did it,” Mayfield explained. “It’s all about focusing on the fundamentals and not beating ourselves. We have the mental toughness to overcome obstacles, and I truly believe that’s part of our team’s strength.”
On the other hand, while Tampa Bay has become an offense-driven team ranking among the top in total yards and scoring, their defense has seen a decline since Bowles’ appointment as defensive coordinator five years ago.
“It’s frustrating because we’re making mistakes and beating ourselves,” Bowles stated, aware that his defense has allowed at least 31 points in three of their last four losses. “We can’t afford to play poorly on our end in addition to facing our opponents.”
The matchup between the Buccaneers and Chiefs has been rare since the former’s establishment as an expansion team in 1976. Though the Chiefs have won two of the last three encounters, the most significant victory for Tampa Bay came during its 31-9 Super Bowl win on February 7, 2021, played on their home turf.
Although DeAndre Hopkins had limited practice time last week, he still participated in about one-third of the Chiefs’ offensive plays in their recent game, catching two passes for 29 yards. With additional time to assimilate into the offensive scheme, he is expected to have an expanded role in the upcoming game.
Mahomes expressed confidence in Hopkins’ impact, saying, “Hitting him over those medium-to-long distances is going to create opportunities for others and relieve pressure on our other players since opposing teams will have to account for him.”
Kansas City has also bolstered its pass rush by trading for Josh Uche, who was acquired from New England for a sixth-round pick in 2026. Uche, a former second-round pick, has recorded 20.5 sacks in his career, including two this season. He had his best year in 2022, posting 11.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles.
“I remember playing in Kansas City last year and we had to bring our A-game,” Uche noted, acknowledging the array of threats posed by the Chiefs. “There are numerous weapons on their roster that require careful preparation.”