Buccaneers v Chiefs tips, odds & predictions | NFL Week 9

Buccaneers v Chiefs best bets

Buccaneers v Chiefs NFL Week 9 preview

The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Arrowhead Stadium this Monday night to close out Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season.

Tampa Bay’s struggles continued last Sunday as they lost to the Falcons by five points. After taking the lead early, a 24-3 Atlanta run through the middle of the game separated the teams. A pair of late scores narrowed the margin, but the defeat now means the Bucs have lost three of their last four.

Missing star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin through injury, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was still strong in the passing game. However, he leads the NFL in interceptions, and with the Bucs conceding 34 points per game over the last four weeks, they are clear underdogs this week at +375 with BetOnline.

The offensive injuries continue to pile up for the Buccaneers, as running back Bucky Irving (toe) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) have not featured at practice this week. Defensive pair Lavonte David (ankle/chest) and Greg Gaines (calf) are also in doubt.

The Chiefs were strong once again last Sunday, beating the Raiders by seven points. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the way with 262 passing yards and two touchdowns, while the defense kept Las Vegas to just 33 rushing yards.

Although Mahomes hasn’t quite reached the levels we expect this season, his game management continues to prove the difference each week. Ranked top five in the league for defense, Kansas City are clear home favourites at -500 with leading NFL bookies.

Backup tight end Jody Fortson suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Raiders. However, the Chiefs remain fairly healthy, with just wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster in doubt with a hamstring injury.

Buccaneers v Chiefs betting strategy

While the Bucs’ passing game didn’t seem to be affected by the injuries last week, their depth will be tested even more against a premier defense. On the other end, expect Mahomes to be far too strong against a bottom-three pass defense. At home, back the Chiefs to cover the line of -8.5 points at -111.11 with top sports betting sites.

With one of the worst defenses in the NFL, each of Tampa Bay’s last five games have gone over the total points line. However, as the Chiefs are known to run out games, this is a great chance to buck the trend. Four of KC’s last five have fallen short of the total points line, so back this one to go under 45.5 at -111.11 with Bet365.

With players such as Isaiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice missing from the Kansas City offense, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy has found himself much more involved. He has had career-high targets in each of the last two weeks, and given his speed, he is often used in trick plays. He leads the Chiefs with three receiving and two rushing touchdowns, so back Worthy to find the endzone once again at +160 with top online bookmakers.

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