Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, November 4, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Network: ESPN/ABC
Writer: Chris Helle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
The current QB2 is a start almost every single week. His worst games have come against Denver and Detroit, and Kansas City’s secondary is not in the same tier as those two. Obviously, there are doubts surrounding his receiving room, but that didn’t slow him down the past few weeks. The Chiefs are favored to win the game, so a lot of the pressure lands on Baker’s shoulders to lead his team to a win on the road.
Running Back
Rachaad White: Start, RB2
Bucky Irving: FLEX Option, RB3
This backfield has been watched closely by fantasy managers as the former RB4 in Rachaad White appeared to be losing significant snap share to the impressively explosive rookie, Bucky Irving. With the injuries to this team’s receiving room, it should be expected for White to fill in as more of a pass-catching role – a role that he excels in (11 receptions for 109 yards and 3 TDs through the air through the last two games). Bucky will likely fill more of the standard role with the work on the ground, which is an area that the Chiefs are better at defending.
Wide Receiver
Jalen McMillan: FLEX Option, WR3
Sterling Shepard: Sit
Expectations are sky-high for the rookie receiver Jalen McMillan, who was likely a hot waiver pickup following the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He hasn’t quite met those expectations, but he’s a rookie that’s still coming into form. He got 7 and 8 targets the last few games, so you can follow the volume if you’re needy for a FLEX, but the lack of track record of production is reason to hesitate in this matchup on the road. On the other hand, Sterling Shepard has not seen a significant bump in his usage and thus is not under consideration for making his way into your lineup.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Start, TE1
The biggest beneficiary of the receiving room woes has accumulated 17 receptions for 181 yards and 2 TDs in the past two weeks. This might be a more difficult matchup for the 3rd year TE, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: Start, QB1
Mahomes has been far from a top-tier fantasy QB this season, and it may come as a surprise that he’s currently tied for the most interceptions in the league. Nonetheless, the Buccaneers’ defense has yielded the most fantasy points to QBs this season, so the matchup should give you some confidence in him living up to his reputation.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt: Start, RB2
Samaje Perine: Sit
Volume is king for the 29-year-old back, as Kareem Hunt has been handed the ball over 21 times in each of his last three games. At his age, he’s not very efficient, but he runs behind a strong offensive line and is on the only undefeated team in the league. With Hunt getting all the work, Samaje Perine is far from a startable asset this week.
Wide Receiver
Deandre Hopkins: FLEX Option, WR3
Xavier Worthy: FLEX Option, WR4
Juju Smith-Schuster: Sit
The blockbuster trade of All-Pro Deandre Hopkins has led fantasy managers to believe he would easily become a high-end fantasy WR. The issue with this receiving room is that Mahomes spreads the ball across his pass catchers more than any other QB in the league. Losing target share to the likes of Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, and Noah Gray makes it difficult for the top receivers in Hopkins and Xavier Worthy to have explosive games for fantasy. There’s also a little-known guy with the last name of Kelce who’s been slowly accruing a bigger slice of this passing offense. Hopkins also takes a lot of the work from a role shared by Juju Smith-Schuster, so the veteran wideout should be left to the bench.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: Start, TE1
Outside of a down week against San Fransisco two weeks ago, Travis Kelce has returned to his top-tier form with 30 targets in his last four games. We all know he’s Mahomes’ favorite target, and he should continue to be an impact weapon of this offense in this home game.