by Big Al Staff
Sunday, Feb 07, 2021The odds remain stagnant, with Kansas City a 3-point favorite at BetAnySports, BookMaker, and BetOnline. The total has dropped to 55.5 at BetOnline, with BetAnySports and BookMaker still listing the over/under at 56.
It appears that weather will not be a factor in the game. The weather reports early in the week indicated there was a chance of thunderstorms and high winds that could impact the game. The indications are now that any thunderstorms will clear out of the Tampa area in the morning.
The game-time temperature expects to be in the mid-60s. At 7 PM ET, the temperature projects to be 64 degrees with just a 5% chance of rain with moderate five miles-per-hour wind. At 9 PM ET, the temperate will likely stop to 61 degrees with a 6% chance of rain with the winds at four miles-per-hour. If these assessments hold up, the weather will have little impact on the game.
Tampa Bay should be close to 100% healthy for this game. The player with the most risk to not be available is Cameron Brate. The tight end was a surprise addition to the injury report midweek with a back injury that had not previously placed him on the injury list this postseason. He did not participate in Friday’s practice, and he is listed as questionable. If he cannot play, look for the Buccaneers to deploy more “11 personnel” with one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers as a replacement of the “12 personnel” that often involved Brate on the field with one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.
Antonio Brown will likely be the third wide receiver on the field to replace Brate. Brown is listed as questionable with the knee injury that kept him out of the NFC Championship Game, but he did take part in full practice on Friday.
No other Tampa Bay player is on their final injury list. Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh did not participate in Friday’s practice, but that was precautionary.
The following Buccaneers players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Lavonte David (hamstring), Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), Antoine Winfield (ankle), Chris Godwin (elbow), Mike Evans (knee).
The Kansas City COVID scare has passed without incident, with both Demarcus Robinson and Daniel Kilgore cleared to play today. Both players entered the quarantine protocols after being in close contact with the barber that later tested positive.
The Chiefs will be without left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles) and linebacker Willie Gay (knee/ankle). Running back Darwin Thompson was their third player to not participate in Friday’s practice due to an illness. He expects to be available today.
The following Kansas City players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Patrick Mahomes (toe), Mike Remmers (groin), L’Jarius Sneed (concussion), Andrew Wylie (ankle), Le’Veon Bell (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/knee), Rashod Fenton (foot), Sammy Watkins (calf).
The Chiefs' right tackle, Mitchell Schwartz, remains on their Injured Reserve. With both starting tackles out, the coaching staff will do some shuffling on their offensive line. Andrew Wylie and Mike Remmers move from their starting guard positions to tackle. Kansas City offensive line coach Andy Heck rotates his guards and tackles between positions in practice to ensure they are familiar with the different responsibilities. Wylie started 14 games and allowed only two sacks. Remmers made 10 starts and did not allow a sack.
It appears that weather will not be a factor in the game. The weather reports early in the week indicated there was a chance of thunderstorms and high winds that could impact the game. The indications are now that any thunderstorms will clear out of the Tampa area in the morning.
The game-time temperature expects to be in the mid-60s. At 7 PM ET, the temperature projects to be 64 degrees with just a 5% chance of rain with moderate five miles-per-hour wind. At 9 PM ET, the temperate will likely stop to 61 degrees with a 6% chance of rain with the winds at four miles-per-hour. If these assessments hold up, the weather will have little impact on the game.
Tampa Bay should be close to 100% healthy for this game. The player with the most risk to not be available is Cameron Brate. The tight end was a surprise addition to the injury report midweek with a back injury that had not previously placed him on the injury list this postseason. He did not participate in Friday’s practice, and he is listed as questionable. If he cannot play, look for the Buccaneers to deploy more “11 personnel” with one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers as a replacement of the “12 personnel” that often involved Brate on the field with one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.
Antonio Brown will likely be the third wide receiver on the field to replace Brate. Brown is listed as questionable with the knee injury that kept him out of the NFC Championship Game, but he did take part in full practice on Friday.
No other Tampa Bay player is on their final injury list. Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh did not participate in Friday’s practice, but that was precautionary.
The following Buccaneers players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Lavonte David (hamstring), Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), Antoine Winfield (ankle), Chris Godwin (elbow), Mike Evans (knee).
The Kansas City COVID scare has passed without incident, with both Demarcus Robinson and Daniel Kilgore cleared to play today. Both players entered the quarantine protocols after being in close contact with the barber that later tested positive.
The Chiefs will be without left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles) and linebacker Willie Gay (knee/ankle). Running back Darwin Thompson was their third player to not participate in Friday’s practice due to an illness. He expects to be available today.
The following Kansas City players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Patrick Mahomes (toe), Mike Remmers (groin), L’Jarius Sneed (concussion), Andrew Wylie (ankle), Le’Veon Bell (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/knee), Rashod Fenton (foot), Sammy Watkins (calf).
The Chiefs' right tackle, Mitchell Schwartz, remains on their Injured Reserve. With both starting tackles out, the coaching staff will do some shuffling on their offensive line. Andrew Wylie and Mike Remmers move from their starting guard positions to tackle. Kansas City offensive line coach Andy Heck rotates his guards and tackles between positions in practice to ensure they are familiar with the different responsibilities. Wylie started 14 games and allowed only two sacks. Remmers made 10 starts and did not allow a sack.
