Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs face off in crunch encounter - NFL Preview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs face off in a crucial encounter for both teams on Sunday October 14, 2012.
Both the Buccaneers and Chiefs have struggled to win games this year and this provides the perfect opportunity for both teams to end their respective losing streaks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently on a three-game losing streak but seem on the verge of returning back to winning ways if their performance against the Washington Redskins is anything to go by.
The Bucs made a brilliant comeback as they recovered from a deficit of 18 points before unluckily losing out 24-22.
Defensively Tampa Bay has shown massive improvement in its last three games and will be looking to deliver a similar performance against the Chiefs.
Tampa Bay players remain confident that they can end the losing run soon and get their season back on track.
Speaking to media defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said:
"You know what's great about this team is everybody's so encouraged. Nobody's down.”
Offensive tackle Donald Penn also echoed McCoy’s sentiments and said:
"You look at us on tape, and you say: `Wow.' It's a play here or a play there. It's going to come ... because it's right there."
The Buccaneers have enjoyed big success against the Kansas City Chiefs in previous games and with the form Kansas City is in currently the Bucs will be favourites to win at home.
Kansas City on the other hand are 1-4 this year and have struggled massively on offence.
Quarterback Matt Cassel has just a 58.5% completion rate this season as he passed for 1,150 yards and five touchdowns while also throwing nine interceptions.
His place will be taken by backup Brady Quinn after Cassel suffered an injury in the 9-6 defeat to Baltimore Ravens last week.
A portion of the home crowd even cheered Cassel when he got injured showing the frustration that has set amongst the Chiefs’ faithful.
Coach Romeo Crennel speaking about the team’s poor start to the season said:
"This team needs to do more things to win. That's what we're going to work on, try to get this team to do more of the right things so that we can win."
Quinn too is looking forward for his first start of the new season.
Speaking to the media after the defeat to Baltimore he said:
"It felt great to be out there. Matt is our starter and I just prepare every week like I am a starter, and I prepare myself for the moment."
The Chiefs look the weaker of the two teams in this matchup and the Buccaneers home advantage will also work in their favour.
It will be tough game for both sides but a Tampa Bay win looks like the more likely result from this game.
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