With Tampa Bay coming off a bye and the Chiefs having issues at quarterback — backup Brady Quinn is starting — the Bucs have a great shot to win. Their offense is overdue for a complete performance.
Chiefs' top offensive player
Jamaal Charles, right, leads the NFL in rushing with 551 yards, and there's no secret stopping him is the key to today's game. His speed is difficult to contend with, so the Bucs need to keep him from reaching the perimeter.
Chiefs' top defensive player
End Tamba Hali, left, totaled 26½ sacks in 2010 and 2011 and has three in four games this season. His pressure is the primary reason the Chiefs have allowed just 205.8 passing yards per game.
The Bucs must avoid …
First- and second-down penalties that throw off offensive play-calling. That was a problem in the past two games, including the three against the Redskins two weeks ago.
What the Chiefs do best
Run, run and run some more. They average 35 carries per game, third most in the league. Their 5.2 yards per carry are second in the league, behind the 49ers' 6.1. In addition to Jamaal Charles, their offensive line is big reason why.
How you beat the Chiefs
At least for today, create third and longs in which Brady Quinn will have to throw the ball. The Bucs have a capable secondary and might be able to take advantage of a player who has not started a game since Dec. 12, 2009, and thrown only two passes since.
Projected starters
BUCS
OFFENSE
WR: Vincent Jackson
LT: Donald Penn
LG: Carl Nicks
C: Jeremy Zuttah
RG: Jeremy Trueblood
RT: Demar Dotson
TE: Dallas Clark
WR: Mike Williams
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: Doug Martin
FB: Erik Lorig
DEFENSE
LDE: Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Roy Miller
RDE: Daniel
Te'o-Nesheim
SLB: Quincy Black
MLB: Mason Foster
WLB: Lavonte David
CB: E.J. Biggers
CB: Eric Wright
SS: Mark Barron
FS: Ronde Barber
special teams
PR: Roscoe Parrish
KR: Arrelious Benn
PK: Connor Barth
P/KO: Michael Koenen
Chiefs
OFFENSE
WR: Jon Baldwin
LT: Branden Albert
LG: Jeff Allen
C: Ryan Lilja
RG: Jon Asamoah
RT: Eric Winston
TE: Tony Moeaki
TE: Steve Maneri
WR: Dwayne Bowe
RB: Brady Quinn
FB: Jamaal Charles
DEFENSE
LDE: Tyson Jackson
NT: Dontari Poe
RDE: Allen Bailey
LB: Justin Houston
LB: Jovan Belcher
LB: Derrick Johnson
LB: Tamba Hali
CB: Brandon Flowers
CB: Stanford Routt
SS: Eric Berry
FS: Abram Elam
Special teams
PR: Javier Arenas
KR: Shaun Draughn
PK/KO: Ryan Succop
P: Dustin Colquitt
Injury report
Chiefs: Out — QB Matt Cassel (concussion), DE Glenn Dorsey (calf), RB Peyton Hillis (ankle), WR Devon Wylie (hamstring). Questionable — WR Jon Baldwin (hamstring), WR Terrance Copper (calf), RB Cyrus Gray (illness), DE Ropati Pitoitua (elbow). Probable — CB Jalil Brown (hamstring), RB Shaun Draughn (ankle), S Kendrick Lewis (shoulder), G Ryan Lilja (back)
Bucs: Questionable — DT Roy Miller (back). Probable — G Carl Nicks (toe), T Jeremy Trueblood (illness), CB Eric Wright (head)
Stat pack
1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Bucs by 4, 40½
Prediction
Bucs 20, Chiefs 17
Rushing yards
passing yards
total yards
Rushing yards allowed
passing yards allowed
total yards allowed
Bucs
chiefs
91.0 (23rd)
180.8 (2nd)
185.0 (29th)
221.6 (23rd)
276.0 (30th)
402.4 (4th)
73.8 (4th)
121.0 (22nd)
345.3 (32nd)
205.8 (8th)
419.0 (27th)
326.8 (10th)
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