Jameis Winston loves play-action passes, and more Bucs tidbits

That was the theme of the day as the Chiefs defense struggled withoutlinebacker Dee Ford in the second half and cornerback Marcus Peters. Below are all six Buccaneers who have hit double digits in 100-yard receiving games, along with how many total games they played with the team and in which game played they got their 11th century mark. Derrick Johnson (hamstring) and Dontari Poe (knee) did play after limited practice during the week, but neither were at full strength. Maclin missed last week with a groin injury and is questionable for this game.

In his second season as the leader of the Bucs offense, Winston is coming off one of his best performances, throwing for 312 yards, completing 69.7 percent of his passes, at an average of 9.5 yards an attempt with two touchdown throws. Whether it’s the other team (remember the Raiders setting an National Football League record a couple of weeks ago?) or the Bucs, penalties are nearly as common as a forward pass.

But it’s not just the defense that’s been playing better. It’s pretty unfair to judge a player based on his first game back. In the second half, they began to pair their potent short passing game with some power runs, testing the physicality and gap discipline of the Chiefs’ defensive front.

And with the Chiefs being unable to steal another win, we didn’t find much reason to give out many high marks in our grading this week. Last season, the Chiefs were 1-5, and then reeled off 10 straight wins to get themselves into the playoffs. Stints as offensive coordinator in Jacksonville, Atlanta and Tampa Bay earned him the Buccaneers’ top job.

The Bucs look to spoil the party at Arrowhead on Sunday and move to.500 with a victory but they will have their hands full with a Chiefs side that is 7-2 and in the hunt for the AFC West division crown.

It was the Buccaneers’ fifth straight win over Kansas City dating to 1993. The game has a scheduled start time of 1 p.m. ET and takes place from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Bucs last met the Chiefs in 2012 and won 38-10. They settled for an Aguayo 36-yard field goal that gave Tampa Bay a 12-10 lead.

Starting strong on defense has been a key under Reid, as he is 107-34 in his career when his team scores first. He hadn’t thrown one inside the opponent’s 10-yard line since 2013.

But another opportunity for the Chiefs was snuffed when Smith’s pass into the end zone was picked off by Buccaneers safety Chris Conte and he brought it out 55 yards.

The Buccaneers certainly did, going 11 of 16 on third down.

Smith rallied the Chiefs late, finding wide receive Albert Wilson for a 3-yard touchdown pass on third down with 2:27 left in the game. He scrambled 24 yards on another third down.

Who’s not: Chiefs offense. How will the return of these players affect the team? Given his current condition, it seems the Chiefs are preparing him to return for the upcoming game on Sunday. Only Drew Brees of the Saints threw for more against the Chiefs this season.