Chiefs vs. Buccaneers: NFL Preseason Preview, Score Predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in action on Saturday, providing both the front office and coaching staffs the ability to continue assessing things. With mandatory cutdowns just over a week away, training camp has passed and tough decisions are on the horizon.

First, however, Kansas City must complete its second of three 2026 preseason games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers await at Raymond James Stadium, having already taken down the New York Jets in the club's preseason opener. Ahead of kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT, many are wondering which roster can flex its depth in an environment that will see numerous players fighting for jobs.

How might Saturday's game unfold? The Kansas City Chiefs On SI crew makes its predictions for Week 2 of the preseason.

Joshua Brisco: With injuries to Ashton Gillotte, Josh Simmons and Trey Smith, this game should provide valuable opportunities for a few defensive ends and offensive linemen to make an impact against—potentially—some of the Buccaneers’ starters.

I’m hoping to see a healthy dose of Kahlil Benson at right tackle and R Mason Thomas and Felix Anudike-Uzomah on the edge. However, as long as the games don’t matter, I'm not picking the Chiefs to win a preseason game until they break the streak!

Jordan Foote: In this one, I'm keeping an eye on which players can respond to standout performances from a week ago. That goes in both directions, as defensive backfield stoppers Nohl Williams and Jaden Hicks were excellent but offensive pieces like wideout Jason Brownlee and tackle Ethan Driskell struggled immensely.

This outing could go a long way in helping the coaching staff iron out its eventual 53-man roster. Although the Bucs' ground game fell flat against the New York Jets to open the preseason, this remains an offense with ample depth. It might just be enough to squeak by the visitors. Let's roll with a one-score game in which neither team looks particularly impressive in a grind-it-out style of bout.

Joshua Schulman: Despite some strong individual performances in the preseason opener, the Chiefs’ offensive effort against the Rams was subpar as they failed to muster up a touchdown. It doesn’t feel like we’ll be watching a shootout this week either, considering how impressive the defense looked last week before it fell apart in the fourth quarter.

The Bucs appear to have found a star in the making in quarterback Jalon Daniels, who showed far more promise than fellow rookie Garrett Nussmeier a week ago. Behind a banged-up KC offensive line that committed nine penalties last week, it’s likely going to be another underwhelming offensive showing for Andy Reid and Co.

Tyler Brown: With the Bucs expected to play their starters and Andy Reid traditionally giving starters their most runway in second preseason games, there should be much more to glean from this week. There's no Patrick Mahomes again, nor is there Smith or Simmons, but that just means there will finally be an extended runway for both Kahlil Benson and Jaylon Moore at the tackle spots.

On defense, Jaden Hicks replicating last week's performance will be something to watch, along with what flashes we see from the Chiefs' rookie class. I expect KC to be successful on the ground again. The only question is whether it can find a way to finish drives in the end zone.

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