TAMPA — Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels orchestrated three scoring drives in the second half, and cornerback Roman Parodie’s fourth-quarter interception set up the go-ahead touchdown as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied past the Kansas City Chiefs 16-15 at Raymond James Stadium to move to 2-0 in the 2026 preseason.
Daniels finished 9-of-14 for 71 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Ko Kieft, adding 19 rushing yards on the ground. The Bucs trailed 9-0 at halftime after the offense failed to score in the first two quarters under starter Baker Mayfield and backup Jake Browning. Mayfield completed 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards in two drives before giving way to Browning, who went 9 of 12 for 84 yards with 14 yards rushing.
Outside linebacker Anthony Nelson set the tone defensively in the first half, recording 2 tackles and 1.5 sacks, including a strip sack on Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields. Nelson and outside linebacker Mohamed Kamara combined for a 20-yard sack on third down in the second quarter, forcing Kansas City to settle for a 45-yard field goal that made it 3-0. The Chiefs added two more long field goals to take a 9-0 lead into the break.
Daniels changed the complexion of the game on the Bucs’ second drive of the third quarter, going 5-for-5 with 39 passing yards and 10 rushing yards on a drive capped by a touchdown pass to Kieft. Wide receiver Dean Patterson IV contributed a 24-yard toe-tap reception on the possession, finishing the game with 6 catches for 56 yards. Kansas City answered with a one-yard rushing touchdown from rookie running back Emmett Johnson after a pass interference call moved the ball into the red zone, pushing the score to 15-7.
A Daniels-led drive to the Kansas City 28-yard line produced a field goal early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 15-10. Parodie then intercepted a bobbled pass, putting the offense in position to take its first lead. Running back Sean Tucker punched it in from one yard out — his lone touchdown on 5 carries for 23 yards — to make it 16-15. The Chiefs’ final threat ended when kicker Spencer Shrader missed a 43-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter, and Tampa Bay ran out the final three minutes.
On the Kansas City side, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 9 of 17 passes for 74 yards, while running back Emari Demercado carried 7 times for 25 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Jalen Royals led Chiefs receivers with 6 catches for 51 yards. Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah recorded 2 tackles and 1.0 sack.
Running back Bucky Irving added 14 yards on 3 carries in the first quarter, and running back Josh Williams picked up a 16-yard screen pass among his contributions in the second quarter. Wide receiver Kam Johnson matched Patterson with 56 receiving yards.
The Buccaneers close the preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET at EverBank Stadium.