NFL Week 6 Predictions: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 10/14/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Tampa Bay -3.5
Current Betting Line: Tampa Bay -3
Opening Total: 42.5
Current Total: 40
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Rams Chiefs NFL Preview — Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles has been incredible through five weeks of the season

Kansas City is 1-4 and comes off a disappointing 9-6 setback to the Baltimore Ravens as six-point home underdogs last week, considering it won the statistical battle for the fifth consecutive week. Chiefs starting quarterback Matt Cassel suffered a concussion in the loss, which likely means that backup Brady Quinn will get the nod this week. Offensively, the team ranks fourth in the National Football League, but has been derailed by a minus-15 turnover margin. Kansas City is 7-1 ATS after two or more consecutive losses, with the UNDER going 7-1 in that situation.

The Chiefs will look to get the ball into the hands of Jamaal Charles as much as possible, as he leads the league with 551 rushing yards on 102 carries. Kansas City has split its 10 meetings in this particular series, but the franchise has dropped the last two, including a 30-27 overtime loss as 9.5-point home underdogs on Nov. 2, 2008. It will be interesting to see if the locker room rallies around Cassel’s injury, as it has been a main topic of discussion, following Eric Winston’s comments about the team’s fan base cheering his departure from last week’s game.

Tampa Bay used the extra-long weekend to rest and recuperate, as first-year head coach Greg Schiano focuses on snapping a three-game losing streak. “The whole team is feeling refreshed,” commented Buccaneers defensive end Michael Bennett. The Buccaneers players may have took some time away from the practice field, but the coaching staff worked until Friday last week in preparing for this non-conference matchup. Tampa Bay is 0-2 at home with a total of 38.5 to 42 points.

The Buccaneers rank 30th in total offense in averaging 276.0 yards per game, while their defense sits 27th. Tampa Bay has been outscored by a 37-22 margin in the fourth quarter this season, which has played a major part in losing three consecutive games by a total of 15 points. Quarterback Josh Freeman needs to make plays in the passing game, throwing for 790 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions in four games this season.