Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest NFL Preseason Odds for Saturday, August 22nd
The Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, August 22, at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay is favored by 5.5 points with the total at 36.5, and the major storyline is a rare preseason appearance from Baker Mayfield while Kansas City continues protecting Patrick Mahomes. Check out this Chiefs vs. Buccaneers prediction and best bet for August 22.
Peter Alexis - August 22, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadChiefs vs. Buccaneers Prediction: Can Bucs Dominate at Home Again in Second Preseason Game?
Tampa Bay is a 5.5-point home favorite at -112, with Kansas City +5.5 (-108). The Buccaneers are -238 on the moneyline, the Chiefs are +195 and the total sits at 36.5.
Kansas City stumbled to 6-11 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Tampa Bay finished 8-9 and missed the NFC postseason on a tiebreaker, snapping its own five-year playoff streak.
The Chiefs lost their opener 20-12 to the Rams, with all 12 points coming on field goals. Mahomes did not play and will sit again as he continues his return from last season's major knee injury. Justin Fields will start, followed by rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun.
Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN Unlimited
Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Odds
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Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Prediction
Fields completed all four of his passes for 41 yards last week, while Nussmeier went 13-of-19 for 98. Kansas City has every reason to keep giving both quarterbacks work, but it will again do so without the advantage of its MVP starter and with several offensive linemen and other regulars unavailable.
Tampa Bay beat the Jets 24-16 in its opener without Mayfield. That changes Saturday. Todd Bowles has confirmed the healthy starters will play, including Mayfield, who is getting his first preseason action in two years. His exact workload will depend on offensive efficiency, but the expectation is at least one drive and potentially a few possessions if the first unit needs more work.
The Buccaneers also have appealing depth once Mayfield leaves. Jalon Daniels led two second-half scoring drives against the Jets and showed enough mobility to keep reserve defenses under pressure. That gives Tampa Bay a route to maintain offensive competence after the starters exit.
Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Pick
- Pick: Bucs -5.5 (-110) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
The spread is large for a preseason game, but there is a reason it has reached 5.5. Tampa Bay gets its starting quarterback and healthy first unit at home, while Kansas City is deliberately keeping Mahomes away from contact. With the Bucs also owning the stronger Week 1 result, the favorite has enough edges to lay the points.
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