The Buccaneers' first-team defense put a stranglehold on Kansas City on their first two possessions. On the Chiefs' first drive, rookie Keionte Scott crashed downhill on third down from the nickel spot in zone and made an open-field tackle to force the Chiefs' punt. On the ensuing drive, rookie Rueben Bain Jr. made his grand debut. Bain utilized the blocker's momentum against him and hit a lethal inside hump move to collapse the pocket around Justin Fields on third-and-four to kill the drive. He showcased his leverage on the play, elevating the unit.
"They were getting off the ball," said Head Coach Todd Bowles on Bain and Yaya Diaby. "It was exciting to see them get off the ball and I am happy to see them play."
On those first two drives, the Bucs' defense only surrendered 13 yards and forced two three-and-out's inside Raymond James Stadium. The Chiefs did not produce a single first down until the five-minute mark in the first frame. Shortly after from third-and-three, veteran Anthony Nelson nabbed a strip sack of Fields. With a quick get-off, Nelson beat the Chiefs' rookie right tackle quickly to get to Fields and punched the ball free. Later in the exhibition as Fields was flushed out of the pocket, Mohamed Kamara and Nelson tracked him down for a combined knockdown.
The momentum-shifter ultimately came in the fourth when the Bucs were down by five, 15-10. Cornerback Roman Parodie intercepted the ball and the Bucs were able to capitalize for their first lead of the game. Parodie picked off the bobbled ball in the air and showcased his understanding of where the help was on the play and effectively diagnosed. The Bucs' defense held strong during the following Kansas City possession, and the home team never relinquished the lead. The defense put the clamps on the Chiefs' offense throughout the clash and spurred the come-from-behind win.
