TAMPA — Rookies Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott set the tone for a suffocating defensive performance as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied past the Kansas City Chiefs in their second preseason game at Raymond James Stadium, overcoming a 15-10 deficit in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers’ first-team defense surrendered just 13 yards on Kansas City’s opening two possessions, forcing two three-and-outs. Scott crashed downhill from the nickel spot in zone coverage on third down to make an open-field tackle and end the Chiefs’ first drive. Bain then made his grand debut on the next series, using an inside hump move to collapse the pocket around quarterback Justin Fields on third-and-four.
“They were getting off the ball,” Head Coach Todd Bowles said of Bain and pass rusher Yaya Diaby. “It was exciting to see them get off the ball and I am happy to see them play.”
Kansas City failed to produce a single first down until the five-minute mark in the first quarter. Shortly after, veteran Anthony Nelson beat the Chiefs’ rookie right tackle for a strip sack of Fields on third-and-three, punching the ball free. Later in the game, Mohamed Kamara and Nelson tracked down a scrambling Fields for a combined knockdown.
The decisive play came in the fourth quarter with the Buccaneers trailing 15-10. Cornerback Roman Parodie intercepted a bobbled pass, reading where his help was on the play and effectively diagnosing the route. Tampa Bay capitalized on the turnover to take its first lead of the game.
The defense held firm on Kansas City’s ensuing possession, and the Buccaneers never relinquished the lead. The come-from-behind win gives Bowles a closer look at a defensive front that could factor into roster decisions as the team prepares for its preseason finale and final cuts ahead of the regular season.