Chiefs get another crack at Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Bucs. Here’s how KC wins Sunday night

In prime-time Sunday night, the Chiefs return to Raymond James Stadium for the first time since suffering a 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers there in Super Bowl LV.

That was then, of course, and Sunday night could be a different story.

Both teams are 2-1 and coming off their first defeats of the season. The Chiefs lost 20-17 at the Indianapolis Colts, while the Buccaneers fell 14-12 to the Green Bay Packers.

The Bucs hold an 8-6 edge over the Chiefs in the all-time series. The Chiefs’ most recent win over Tampa Bay came in Week 12 of the 2020 regular season.

There’s a revenge angle for the Chiefs (2-1) in this edition, and the star power will be everywhere. From elite quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady to Chiefs tight end Travis Kecle and Bucs standout linebacker Devin White — and so many others — Sunday night’s marquee matchup shouldn’t disappoint.

So what will it take for the Chiefs to shake off last week’s loss and the memory of that Super Bowl defeat? Here are four keys to consider:

PROTECT MAHOMES

Mahomes ran for his life in Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers sacked him three times and recorded nine quarterback hits.

Seeing Mahomes battered prompted Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to completely overhaul the offensive line that offseason, with five new starters, including three rookies, taking starting jobs for 2021.

Since then, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., left guard Joe Thuney, center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Andrew Wylie have held their own in protecting Mahomes.

That said, the Chiefs need their front five to get over last week’s hiccup. Mahomes’ O-line allowed a sack and five quarterback hits against the Colts.

The Bucs can bring it. Through three games, they’ve totaled 11 sacks — third-most in the league. Linebacker Devin White, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, has three, Shaquil Barrett two.

Barrett, who recorded a sack of Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, made headlines this week when he said the Buccaneers’ pass rush has a chance to “dominate the game” against the Chiefs’ offensive line.

Mahomes, though, believes in his blockers.

“I trust those five guys that we have out there,” he said. “I feel like we have one of the best offensive lines in the league. We’ll go in there with that mindset.”

It is often said the game of football is won in the trenches, and the Bucs proved that to be true in Super Bowl LV. Buckle up for another physical contest.

BRADY IS STILL BRADY

Don’t let his age fool you. The 45-year-old continues to defy the odds and play at a high level. He’s led the Bucs to two straight playoff appearances since joining the team in 2020.

“I think he’s throwing the ball as good as he ever has,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “He’s accurate as he ever has been, and he’s still throwing the ball deep. ... (H)e’s always been a ‘sit in the pocket, on the spot, relying on his arm strength (type of quarterback)’ ... that hasn’t changed.”

Through three games, Brady has completed 67 of 103 passes for three touchdowns and one interception — and he hasn’t played with a full complement of weapons. Wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) has appeared in one game this season and wide receiver Mike Evans didn’t play in Week 3 because of a one-game suspension.

It remains to be seen whether Jones is available against the Chiefs, as he’s been limited in practice this past week, but Evans returns to bolster Tampa’s passing game. The Bucs also recently added veteran slot receiver Cole Beasley.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski is retired, but the Buccaneers still have plenty of options for Brady. Added all together, Brady is still a problem.

“Mike Evans and I think the tight end’s (Cameron Brate) really good,” Spagnuolo said. “I think Cole Beasley will continue to be what he is, and he’s only been there a week, and the very first pass that he threw to him was right on target.

“I mean, they just look natural there together, so I think he’s got plenty of weapons. … Tom Brady is smart enough to take what you give him, and he’ll keep the big horse cranking.”

CONTAIN FOURNETTE

The Chiefs are coming off a game in which they held Colts running back Jonathan Taylor in check, limiting the All-Pro to 71 yards on 21 carries.

Kansas City faces another challenge against Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette, who totaled 135 yards (89 rushing) and a touchdown against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

The 6-foot, 228-pound Fournette is physical, as the Chiefs know, and he’s produced 227 yards rushing on 57 carries through three games (plus 54 yards on nine catches). He’s a formidable rusher, and the Bucs will give him opportunities to set the tone in this one.

But the Chiefs’ defense is pretty well-equipped to go against an opponent’s ground attack. Entering Week 4, they rank ninth against the run, allowing 86.7 yards per game (they rank 10th overall defensively, allowing 314). One more thing to note: Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay will miss his second game of a four-game suspension Sunday night.

AVOID SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS

Why did the Chiefs lose in Week 3? Look no further than multiple avoidable mistakes, including a muffed punt, missed extra point and field goal, failed fake field-goal attempt and untimely unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.

The Chiefs can’t afford such mental lapses Sunday night against a quality opponent like the Buccaneers.