The Good, The Bad And The Ugly From Buccaneers 16-15 Win vs. The Chiefs

Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played a preseason game in New York a week ago, the excitement heading into this second preseason game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs was palpable for a couple of reasons.

First of all, it was a home game. Not only that, it’s the only home game for the Bucs during the preseason, so it was an opportunity for the fans in Tampa to see their team in live action before the regular season kicks off in a few weeks.

The second and most significant reason for the added anticipation heading into this game was the fact that Todd Bowles would be playing a number of starters on both sides of the ball in this contest.

So although it’s still just the preseason, this preseason game vs. the Chiefs provided at least a glimpse into the product fans can expect to see this year from the Buccaneers.

As we’ll be doing throughout each game the Buccaneers play this season, let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the Bucs’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium.

Good

Aug 14, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Quality Edge Depth

Although they only played a couple of series, the Buccaneers' starting edge duo of Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. looked as advertised in this contest. Both Diaby and Bain found themselves dangerously close to sacking Justin Fields on numerous occasions, while at the same time, their pressures halted drives and forced the Chiefs to punt each series they played.

Bain showed off his incredible power on one play by launching the Chiefs' RT with one arm before forcing Fields to get rid of the ball quickly. The highlight clip quickly made its rounds on social media, generating even more excitement from NFL fans who were eager to watch Bain rush the passer as a pro.

Bain with a sick hump move. Sheesh! pic.twitter.com/err5hv3PH2
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 22, 2026

Once Diaby and Bain were done for the night, the momentum continued behind some stellar play from the team's depth rushers in Anthony Nelson, David Walker and Mo Kamara. Nelson, the veteran of the group, had 1.5 sacks, while both Kamara and Walker applied relentless pressure on KC's offensive linemen and quarterbacks when they were in the game.

QB Jalon Daniels

The difference between UDFA rookie QB Jalon Daniels and experienced veteran Jake Browning could not be more staggering. Browning played the first half (and one series in the third quarter), yet the best throw during that portion of the game came when Daniels had to sub in for Browning for a single play after Browning was forced to exit the game briefly after getting obliterated on a sack.

When Daniels finally took over the reins permanently, he immediately marched the offense down the field with a combination of impressive throws and elusive scrambles before firing a beautiful TD strike on the run to Ko Kieft to put the Bucs on the board for the first time.

Jalon Daniels gives the Bucs their first points of the night on his first drive.

Really nice throw on the run.

Good stuff from the rookie QB. pic.twitter.com/tySaLJkut6
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 23, 2026

Was Daniels perfect? Certainly not. But it's impossible to deny the impact he has on the game compared to his main competitor. As soon as Daniels entered this game with the Bucs trailing, the momentum shifted in their favor. When it was all said and done, it was Daniels who secured the victory for his team, just like he did last week in New York.

Chucky on the Call

This one won't apply to those who were in attendance at Raymond James Stadium this evening, but for those who weren't, they got a real treat with Jon Gruden calling the game for WFLA-TV alongside Ronde Barber. Gruden's knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for Buccaneers football came through in a way that engages viewers in a way few others could emulate.

Although Gruden was just filling in for Chris Meyers, those watching the television broadcast got a real treat with the coach who delivered the franchise its first-ever Lombardi Trophy on the call.

WR Kam Johnson

This was our first look at the third-year WR out of Barton College so far this preseason, and he made it very easy to understand why Jason Licht has kept him around. Johnson looked explosive in the return game, taking his one kickoff return for 28 yards and two punt returns for 24 yards. Johnson has the ability to be more than just a return man, though, and his four receptions for 56 yards were second on the team to Dean Patterson, who also looked excellent as a receiver.

Bad

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bucs' Offensive Starters

Aside from some impressive Bucky Irving runs, fans didn't get much excitement from the Buccaneers' starting offense in the two series they played. As most OCs do in the preseason, Zac Robinson unveiled a pretty vanilla script to start this game, mixing runs and screens with little-to-no progress to be made by his starters.

Is this something to actually be concerned about? Absolutely not. The Bucs were without their star LT as well as all of their best wide receivers. The goal was simply to get their healthy starters a little taste of game action and then get them back to the sidelines at full health. Mission accomplished.

Rookie Mistake

In the first half, promising rookie receiver Ted Hurst got an unnecessary roughness penalty, which ultimately squandered the Buccaneers' drive. In isolation, a common penalty is not alarming. Especially for a rookie. That said, the flag was thrown because Hurst lost his cool and smacked Chiefs' CB Mansoor Delane in the back of the helmet.

LMAOOOOO https://t.co/JPPypXnR6W pic.twitter.com/qVxyGtbUFd
— KROCK (@TheRealKrock_) August 23, 2026

For a rookie who is trying to earn a role in the NFL, mental errors like this simply can't happen, especially in a game where Hurst is being depended on as the team's top wideout.

Hurst does not have a reputation for making these types of decisions on the field, so hopefully it's more of an anomaly than it is a sign of things to come. Either way, Hurst needs to make better decisions in games in order to continue to earn the trust and respect of his coaches as he had prior to this incident.

Ugly

Jake Browning Trying to Get Out of Bed Tomorrow

After missing the Bucs' first preseason game because of a back issue, Jake Browning got to see his first live game action as a member of the Buccaneers in this one. Unfortunately, Browning got absolutely annihilated by Chiefs' defenders on numerous occasions while failing to put any points on the board.

Jake Browning just got OBLITERATED.

My goodness.

He has to get checked on the sideline.

Jalon Daniels checks in. pic.twitter.com/UC80zMkz63
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 23, 2026

It was a rough night for Browning, who got roughed up both literally and figuratively. If Browning hopes to earn the backup quarterback job he was brought to Tampa to play, he's going to need to show a lot more in the team's final preseason game next week, especially with how Jalon Daniels has been playing.

Before he can worry about that, though, he'll likely need to take a little bit of time to let his body recover from this one.

Jake Browning going to bed tonight pic.twitter.com/01lgCXAIsf
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 23, 2026

The Bucs will finish off their preseason scheduled next Friday in Jacksonville when they take on Liam Coen and the Jaguars.

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