Preseason Week 2: Mayfield-Led Bucs Host Chiefs Still Without Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Tampa Bay on Saturday, August 22, still without Patrick Mahomes, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of 2025. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles confirmed his starters, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, will play, with Mayfield expected to get a couple of drives. Mayfield made headlines this week predicting Tampa Bay would "shock a lot of people" in 2026.
Mayfield actually suits up
Unlike most presumed Week 1 starters at this point in preseason, Mayfield taking real snaps gives Tampa Bay a clear talent advantage in this specific game.
Chiefs continue operating without their franchise quarterback
Kansas City remains in a long-term adjustment period without Mahomes, which shapes both this game and the team's broader outlook.
Browning back in the mix for Tampa Bay
Backup quarterback Jake Browning has also returned to action, giving the Buccaneers a experienced presence behind Mayfield.
AI Prediction
Chiefs 
Buccaneers A real starting quarterback playing is the clearest edge in this game
Mayfield taking snaps against a Chiefs team still without Mahomes creates a significant talent gap for this specific matchup.
Kansas City's broader instability compounds the disadvantage
Injuries reportedly piling up elsewhere on the roster add to the Chiefs' challenges heading into this game.
Preseason limits still cap how far this projection goes
Even with Mayfield playing, he's expected to see only a couple of drives, so this remains a preseason game at heart.
This is a preseason exhibition, but Tampa Bay actually playing its starting quarterback against a Chiefs team missing its own gives this projection above-average confidence for this point in the calendar.
Buccaneers Leaders
Chiefs Leaders
Team Stats
| Chiefs | Stat | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| 12.0 | Points Per Game | 24.0 |
| 327.0 | Total Yards | 252.0 |
| 202.0 | Yards Passing | 183.0 |
| 125.0 | Yards Rushing | 69.0 |
| 20.0 | Points Allowed Per Game | 16.0 |
| 321.0 | Yards Allowed | 310.0 |
| 228.0 | Pass Yards Allowed | 219.0 |
| 93.0 | Rush Yards Allowed | 91.0 |
Venue
Closing Line
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Buccaneers Injuries