Week 9 Tidbits: Bucs @ Kansas City

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-3) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-6)

BUCCANEERS: Under head coach JON GRUDEN, Bucs are 18-0 since 2002 when not committing turnover…In his last 2 road starts vs. AFC, QB JEFF GARCIA has completed 37 of 46 (80.4 pct.) for 283 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 121.3 passer rating…Bucs are 6-0 when RB EARNEST GRAHAM has 20+ att…In past 3 games vs. AFC, WR JOEY GALLOWAY has recorded 16 receptions for 299 yards (99.7 per game) & 2 TD (69, 58)…Defense ranks 2nd in NFL in 3rd down defense (30.4 TD pct.) & points (15.0 per game). TB is 4-0 when LB BARRETT RUUD has INT. 1st round selection (No. 20) CB AQIB TALIB is tied for 1st among NFL rookies with 3 INTs. CB RONDE BARBER will make his 144th consecutive start, most among active CBs. Barber had sack & FF in last meeting. DE GAINES ADAMS had his 2nd 2-sack game of season last week. LB DERRICK BROOKS had FF & FR in 11/14/99 meeting…

CHIEFS: Head coach HERM EDWARDS spent 5 seasons (1996-2000) as TB asst. head coach/defensive backs coach…QB TYLER THIGPEN posted career-high’s in passing yards (280), TDs (2) & passer rating (110.9) last week…For career, RB KOLBY SMITH averages 93.8 rush yards per game when has 15 or more att…TE TONY GONZALEZ extended reception streak to 122 in last game – streak is 2nd in NFL history among TEs (OZZIE NEWSOME, 150). For career, Gonzalez averages 92.5 receiving yards against Buccaneers…WR DWAYNE BOWE aims for 5th consecutive game with 5 or more rec. In past 3 at home, Bowe is averaging 87 receiving yards per game. Bowe posted first 100-yard receiving game of season last week (102)…Chiefs are 5-1 (.833) under Edwards when opponents score 10 or fewer points…Rookie CB BRANDON FLOWERS (2nd round, No. 35) posted career-high 2 INTs last week, incl. 91-yard INT-TD return.