Key takeaways from first half of Chiefs vs. Buccaneers

You couldn’t have asked for a better start for the Kansas City Chiefs. The offense is firing on all cylinders, scoring more points in the first half than they did in a full game last week. Who knows whether the loss to the Colts or the Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sparked this performance, but it’s been fun to watch so far. The Chiefs get the ball to start the half and lead 28-17.

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Here are a few quick takeaways from the first half of play:

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After struggling throughout the Week 3 game against the Colts, special teams flipped the script on their opening chance against the Buccaneers in Week 4. Tampa brings out the kick return and Chiefs CB Chris Lammons forced a fumble which was recovered by LB Elijah Lee. It set the Kansas City offense up in Bucs territory for an easy shot at opening points.

It was the first career forced fumble for Lammons and the second fumble recovery by Lee per Chiefs Communications. The team could not have scripted a better start to the game and it comes at the hands of a unit that really played poorly the week prior.

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Kelce was really hard on himself after dropping a touchdown grab in Week 3 that could have changed the game. This week, the Chiefs have gone to him early and often, which is working quite well for them. Kelce had seven receptions in the first half, more than he has recorded in the first half of any game of his career. He already has 65 yards and a touchdown and it’s only halftime. The Buccaneers have no answer when it comes to covering Kelce tonight and expect that will continue in the second half.

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Chiefs fans are getting their first extended look at rookie RB Isiah Pacheco against the Buccaneers. The seventh-round draft pick was extremely impressive in the first half, recording six carries for 41 yards, including a long run of nine yards. The way that he runs the ball is so different than any other running back the team currently has. He has great contact balance and doesn’t go down easily. He runs behind his pads, with power and keeps his feet active. He needs more work in the second half and beyond.