The Bucs are getting a reprieve this weekend.  Not only are they scheduled to play the 1-6 Kansas City Chiefs, they are headed up north to a forecast you don’t see often in KC at this time of the year – 75% partly sunny skies.

       So we can discount cold weather.  What we can’t discount is the Bucs offense drying up in the redzone.  This has become a problem of epidemic proportions, and must be rectified ASAP.  Not only to win on Sunday, but to have a chance of making a run at the post-season. 

       I can’t sit here and say the Chiefs are in the Bucs category this year, they’re not.  But they don’t quit; evidence last week against the Jets and their win over Denver.  Evidently the Chiefs are going to unveil some new offense this week.  Not exactly the week to be testing the waters.  The Bucs defense is once again one the echelon groups in the business.

       But we're seeing a trend here – the Bucs are not playing well on the road.  Competitive, but can’t finish, especially if they’re behind.  The Dallas loss was disappointing; a loss to KC would trump that tenfold. 

       I have some concerns personnel wise with the Bucs this week.  It appears that Guard Aaron Sears has a slight concussion, and RB Warrick Dunn’s back continues to be a problem.  Not sure about Sears playing, but Dunn doesn’t look like he will post Sunday.

      Fullback B.J. Askew may be pressed into service before he’s ready, which would be a mistake.  So I once again ask, why not RB Michael Bennett?  This is not going to be a walk in the park folks.  Chiefs Head Coach Herm Edwards won’t allow it, especially against his old team.  There’s pride at stake here, not to mention his job. 

     Another trend bothers me.  Since 1995, the Chiefs are 21-5 at home against NFC teams.  I can’t ignore that.  So after a setback in Week Eight, we forge ahead to Week Nine by taking……….

                        Kansas City +9                 TK vs. Spread : 5-1-1

Tom Korun