Key connection for Buccaneers and Chiefs is ... 49ers?

Alex Novick

Key connection for Buccaneers and Chiefs is ... 49ers? image

You can't say the Buccaneers, 4-5 and just a couple games back from the Falcons in the NFC South, have nothing to play for when they visit the Chiefs on Sunday.

Kansas City actually helped Tampa Bay last week when it beat Carolina. It might not be as friendly at home in Week 11.

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Alex Smith threw three touchdowns and posted a 127.2 rating the last time he played against the Buccaneers — but that was back in 2011, when Smith played for the 49ers and Jameis Winston was a high school senior.

Speaking of 49ers connections, an interesting pair leads our stats that pop for Sunday's game.

Kansas City: Lost four straight vs Bucs; haven’t beat them since 1993 in Joe Montana’s first game with Chiefs

Tampa Bay: Last loss in Kansas City was in 1986 with Steve Young at QB

Kansas City: Won five straight games; have had a five-game winning streak in all four seasons of the Andy Reid/Alex Smith era

Kansas City: Only beaten one team currently at .500 or better (Raiders)

Kansas City defense: 22 forced turnovers and 13 interceptions are both NFL-best

Tampa Bay: 3-1 and 134.3 rushing yards per game on the road; 1-4 and 81.4 rushing yards per game at home

Smith: 3-6 record, 10-11 TD-INT ratio, 71.4 passer rating in career vs. AFC South teams

Tyreek Hill: 13 targets in Week 10 was most for Chiefs player since Week 2; career-high 10 catches for 89 yards

Dee Ford: 10 sacks are tied for most in NFL; 6.5 sacks over last three games

Winston: 10-2 TD-INT ratioand 105.7 passer rating over last four games

Mike Evans: Five targets in Week 10 broke streak of seven straight games with 10-plus targets, which was longest in NFL this year

FANTASY: Chiefs' Hill among Week 11 sleepers

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Contributing: Tadd Haislop

 

Alex Novick

Alex Novick Photo

Alex is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News.