By Matt McMullen – Chiefs.com Reporter
The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16-15, as the preseason rolled along on Saturday night.
Kansas City took an early lead and held it for much of the game courtesy of an outstanding defensive effort that held Tampa Bay scoreless until midway through the third quarter. A late Buccaneers rally, however – paired with some late-game miscues by Kansas City – allowed Tampa Bay to come away with the victory.
Still, despite the final result, the game provided another great opportunity for some of Kansas City’s youngest players to show what they could do.
“There were some good things tonight,” said Head Coach Andy Reid. “We have to eliminate these penalties at crucial times, but there were a ton of great reps for the young players.”
Notably, wide receiver Jalen Royals had a strong night with a team-leading six catches for 51 yards. Two of those receptions took place on Kansas City’s penultimate drive of the first half, ultimately helping to set up a 58-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker.
It marked the second of three consecutive drives that ended with Butker field goals to wrap up the first half, and the final one – a 69-yarder as time expired in the second quarter – sent Kansas City into the locker room with as much energy as a preseason matchup can possibly muster.
Defensively, meanwhile, Kansas City held the Buccaneers to just three first downs over the first two quarters of play. Safety Jaden Hicks and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah each recorded sacks as part of that effort as the Chiefs held Tampa Bay to an 0-for-5 mark on third down.
The Buccaneers did manage to narrow the deficit with a touchdown drive following halftime, but Kansas City then quickly responded with a nine-play, 75-yard series that culminated in a 1-yard scoring run by rookie tailback Emmett Johnson.
Tampa Bay picked off Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun on Kansas City’s next series though, and armed with a short field, the Buccaneers proceeded to take their first lead of the game soon after with a 1-yard touchdown run. Kansas City then had one final chance to re-claim the advantage in the closing moments of regulation, but Butker’s 43-yard field goal sailed wide right on what turned out to the Chiefs’ final possession.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who entered the game late in the second quarter, led Kansas City with 74 passing yards while completing 9-of-17 attempts. Tailback Brashard Smith paced the Chiefs in rushing yards with 37 on just six carries, averaging 6.2 yards-per-attempt for the night.
In terms of injuries, safety Alohi Gilman (lower back spasms) and defensive end Tyreke Smith (right hamstring) left Saturday’s game early.
Next up, the Chiefs will wrap up the preseason with a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday night.
