The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football” in Week 9. While the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have dominated the NFL in recent years, the Buccaneers once served as a roadblock on Kansas City’s road to greatness.
Now Mahomes will look for revenge against the Buccaneers, although many of the faces have changed in Tampa Bay since Kansas City’s loss in Super Bowl 55. Here’s a look at the paths of both franchises since that lopsided matchup in 2021.
Tom Brady, Bucs Stalled Patrick Mahomes’ Early Career Ascent
Mahomes has enjoyed plenty of success since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in 2018. Although it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for Mahomes, as they hit a roadblock in back-to-back seasons.
The Chiefs won Super Bowl 54 against the San Francisco 49ers, giving Mahomes the first championship of his Hall of Fame-caliber career. While it appeared as though the Chiefs were well on their way to becoming the NFL’s next dynasty, things didn’t exactly go according to plan in 2020 and 2021.
Mahomes would face the toughest challenge of his career in Super Bowl 55, as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers represented the NFC. Tampa Bay had its way with the rising Chiefs, winning by a final score of 31-9.
#OnThisDay 3 years ago, the Chiefs lost Super Bowl LV to Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This interception from Patrick Mahomes sealed it💔#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/qATznwNk5c
— KC Kingdom (@KCKingdom__) February 7, 2024
Tampa Bay’s defense dominated Mahomes, as the young star quarterback threw two interceptions and zero touchdowns. Meanwhile, Brady powered the Buccaneers to victory with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions en route to the fifth Super Bowl MVP award of his legendary career.
Kansas City’s struggles didn’t end with a loss to Brady. In the following season, Mahomes and the Chiefs fell short against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs fell short in overtime, as the Bengals won 27-24 on the road to secure a trip to Super Bowl 56.
Chiefs Quickly Gunning for Greatest Dynasty Title
Despite a few hiccups along the way, there is no doubt that Mahomes and the Chiefs have built a dynasty in Kansas City. The Chiefs will become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls in a row if they are able to win the big game this season.
It certainly appears as though Kansas City is positioned to make another deep postseason run, as the Chiefs are off to a scorching hot start in 2024. Despite Mahomes throwing nine interceptions and just eight passing touchdowns, Kansas City’s defense has powered the Chiefs to a 7-0 start to the regular season.
With three Super Bowl victories, three Super Bowl MVP awards, and two NFL MVP awards on his résumé, Mahomes has earned the benefit of the doubt despite his uncharacteristic start. The Chiefs have already won three Super Bowls in five seasons, which is remarkable.
Yet if Mahomes is able to lead the Chiefs to their fourth Super Bowl victory in the span of six seasons, that would cement Kansas City as the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Despite dealing with injuries to several key starters, the Chiefs appear to be in the driver’s seat to win the AFC this season.
Baker Mayfield Finally Has Buccaneers Back on Postseason Track
Following the real retirement of Brady in 2023, many were worried about the future at quarterback for the Buccaneers. It appeared as though Kyle Trask would get a chance to start in Tampa Bay, but then the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a one-year deal.
After spending time with both the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams in 2022, Mayfield took advantage of his opportunity in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers exceeded expectations in Mayfield’s first season as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback.
Mayfield enjoyed a career resurgence in 2023, reaching career-highs in both passing yards (4,044) and passing touchdowns (28). Thanks to Mayfield’s turnaround performance, the Buccaneers went 9-8 and earned a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round and absolutely embarrassed them, winning by a final score of 32-9. Although Mayfield and the Buccaneers ultimately fell short against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, it was an encouraging postseason run that Tampa Bay is looking to build on.
The Buccaneers carried that momentum into this season, as Tampa Bay initially got off to a 3-1 start to the regular season. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers have fallen to 4-4, as the team has dealt with injuries to several key players. If Tampa Bay can shock the Chiefs on “Monday Night Football,” it could propel the Buccaneers back into the playoff hunt.