12 instant reactions from Buccaneers' preseason comeback win over Chiefs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night for their second of three preseason games.

Todd Bowles' starters took the field for the first time this preseason, albeit for only two drives, after sitting out for last week's opener. 

Tampa Bay came away with a come-from-behind 16-15 victory, and while it’s always nice to see a Buccaneers win, the preseason is about much more than wins and losses. There are plenty of positives to take away from the game, with encouraging signs in all three phases.

12 gut reactions to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 16-15 preseason win over Kansas City Chiefs

1. Anthony Nelson stole the show in the first half. He got to Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields for a strip-sack and later perfctly contained him in the pocket before getting to him again for a half-sack. Both plays occurred on third downs, so Nelson’s big plays were timely. He’s competing for the OLB5 spot, and the veteran did what he needed to do tonight to secure a roster spot.

2. It was a slow day for Baker Mayfield and the starting offense. That was for good reason, as Tampa Bay trotted out fourth-string left tackle Paul Rubelt with the starting unit. They wisely called the offense conservatively with runs and screens to prevent Mayfield from having to drop back and risk taking any big hits. Jake Browning was absolutely ragdolled by the Chiefs’ pass rush multiple times, and that’s the exact situation the coaching staff intentionally avoided with Mayfield.

3. Tampa Bay’s starting defense set the tone for the season, forcing three-and-outs on both of their drives. After an offseason focused on revamping the defensive unit, it sure looks like a much-improved group worth being excited about.

4. Rueben Bain Jr. looked the part in his NFL debut. He bullied a Chiefs offensive tackle and generated pressure that helped disrupt a passing play along with Yaya Diaby. Bain's impact was felt, and despite playing only two drives, the Bucs saw what they wanted to see from their first-round pick.

5. David Walker put on a pass rush clinic. He didn’t get home for a sack, but he generated three pressures, and seemed to be living in the backfield on every passing down. He’s been one of the Bucs’ biggest training camp standouts, and he’s continuing to make his presence felt under the gameday lights.

6. Jalon Daniels picked up right where he left off. After stealing the show in the preseason opener last week, Daniels breathed life into a dormant Bucs offense again tonight. Tampa Bay was shut out in the first half, and Daniels led three straight scoring drives to lead the Buccaneers to a win. It was once a foregone conclusion that the veteran Browning would be the QB2, but Daniels is applying some serious pressure and might even be the new favorite.

7. Backup offensive tackle Marshall Foerner had a night to forget. In the first half alone, he got beat badly for a sack on Jake Browning. Foerner committed a false start penalty later in the half, so he certainly didn’t help his slim chances of making the roster as a reserve offensive lineman.

8. Kam Johnson had a strong performance, both in the return game but also in the passing game where he had four receptions for 56 yards. Johnson is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and he should crack the roster as the return man who can contribute as a wide receiver in a pinch.

9. Dean Patterson also had a strong game at the wide receiver position. A week after leading the Bucs with five receptions, Patterson once again led the team with six receptions, and his 56 yards tied Kam Johnson for the team lead. Patterson remains a longshot in a crowded wide rceiver room, but he's making his case for a spot on the practice squad with a strong preseason.

10. Tampa Bay’s special teams were much-improved after a disappointing performance in last week’s opener. Last week, the Buccaneers allowed a 29-yard kick return average and a 12-yard punt return average. This week, they allowed just 24 yards per kickoff return and three yards per punt return. It’s marginal, but it’s an encouraging improvement in special teams coverage where the Bucs were one of the NFL’s worst teams last season.

11. Roman Parodie had a momentum-changing interception in the fourth quarter, a week after the Buccaneers forced two takeaways in the preseason opener. The ball did take a fortuitous bounce right into Parodie’s hands, but it’s a positive sign to see Tampa Bay defenders making plays that are there to be made and forcing turnovers.

12. These Buccaneers have guts! Tampa Bay is 2-0 in the preseason, and both games were decided by just one possession. The Bucs also trailed by at least nine points in both contests. The common theme? The offense picked up rapidly in both games after Jalon Daniels came in at quarterback, and he’s quickly making a name for himself in Tampa Bay.

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