Chiefs @ Buccaneers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)

Current odds:

Kansas City Chiefs: (-185)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (+165)

• The line for this game is Kansas City by 3.5 points.

• Creating a system that NFL players want to be part of is an attribute worth noting about the Kansas City Chiefs. Claiming a Super Bowl championship last season helped create such an atmosphere. Locking in a generational quarterback to a 10-year deal worth a cool half-billion dollars required a substantial investment. Retaining other standout contributors also generates the kind of harmony that reflects positively on the organizational skills of general manager Brett Veach.

• Complications, however, have surfaced in the Kansas City laboratory. Not within the offense, mind you. Mahomes is clicking along at the pace of an MVP candidate, while Travis Kelce ranks third among NFL receivers with 896 yards and could threaten the NFL’s season yardage record by a tight end. Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill generated 100 yards receiving in each of the last two games when the Chiefs needed every inch. Their defense allowed 31 points on average in those wins, requiring Mahomes and Co. to outproduce Carolina and Las Vegas.

• While it has struggled in several areas defensively, Kansas City is particularly susceptible in the red zone, allowing touchdowns on 75.9 percent of those penetrations, the worst rate in the league.

• Good thing, considering the Chiefs will be facing a legendary quarterback capable of big heroics. For the Bucs, though, the focus seems to be more bent on finding ways for Tom Brady to reload. Brady has gone 0-for-19 in the last four games on pass attempts of 20-plus yards. While that deficiency might seem glaring, Brady could still be adept at exposing seams underneath. Kansas City allowed a .740 completion percentage in its last two games.

• The Bucs have not yet capitalized on the breakaway skills of Antonio Brown, the four-time All-Pro receiver who has played three games since he was acquired mid-season and is averaging 8.7 yards on 18 receptions.

• Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean was placed on concussion protocol following Monday’s 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He is questionable for Sunday’s game, along with center A.Q. Shipley and guard Ali Marpet.

• The Chiefs placed wide receiver Byron Pringle (ankle) on injured reserve but could retain another wideout, Sammy Watkins (hamstring), who has missed the last five games.