BREAKING: Buccaneers at Chiefs Week 9 Game Recap

Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of quarters. Let’s dive into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ football. Tonight, it was Kansas City and the Chiefs who played host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Entering this game as definitive underdogs, the Buccaneers began Monday night on defense

First Quarter:

Tampa’s defense was up first. Todd Bowles’ unit was ready and rose to the occasion. Despite yards allowed, points were off limits as Vita Vea’s sack of Patrick Mahomes forced a Kansas City punt. With the ball and injuries, Tampa Bay managed a few first downs but ultimately matched Kansas City— punt for punt. Possession three would result in three points. The Chiefs found a slight rhythm with DeAndre Hopkins and used it to put the game’s first points on the scoreboard. 3-0, Chiefs.

Second Quarter:

Tampa’s best drive came at the beginning of the game’s second period. Baker Mayfield, spreading the ball amongst the playmakers he has left, moved his offense down the field for the game’s first touchdown— a Rachaad White run, his first rushing score of the year. 7-3, Bucs.

In a game that felt like it was speeding by in a flash, the Chiefs’ offense quickly returned fire and cruised down the field, continuing to turn to their new pass catcher. Across the game’s first three drives, Hopkins had six targets, six catches, 66 yards and a score. Trailing by three, Liam Coen’s offense put forth its worst possession of the evening— Three plays and a punt. The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, largely handled by Tampa Bay’s defense early, save for a few Hopkins and Kelce catches, continued to struggle when all-world tight end Travis Kelce became the most recent victim of Tykee Smith— fumbling away Kansas City’s opportunity to add more points to their lead. Smith has forced three fumbles in his last four games played. Down just three points at the intermission and receiving the ball after the break is a position most Buccaneers’ fans would have been grateful to be in heading to the half and it is exactly what Todd Bowles’ group got.

Third Quarter:

The Chiefs kicked off the second half but Bucky Irving kicked off the excitement. A 46-yard jolt on the half’s opening kickoff to give the Bucs’ offense a short field. With that short field Baker Mayfield went to work. In the first drive of the night that featured Sean Tucker, the Buccaneers’ offense cashed in on the good field position handed to them by their special teams unit with a touchdown pass to Cade Otton— his fourth of the season. 14-10, Buccaneers.

The Chiefs’ opening series of half number two was not as well scripted as Tampa Bay’s— ending in a Calijah Kancey sack and a Matt Araiza punt. With the field position battle heavily in their favor, the Tampa Bay offense did not let it go to waste adding a Chase McLaughlin field goal to their lead. 17-10, Bucs.

Patrick Mahomes trotted back from the sideline down seven and Andy Reid showed a small sample of his coaching mastery. With his offensive line struggling to protect his quarterback and the rain beginning to fall heavier and heavier, Reid turned to run game. The Chiefs took the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands and it proved wise.

Fourth Quarter:

Though Mahomes did conclude the drive with a touchdown pass, it was the Kansas City backfield that flexed its muscle and tenacity— 17-17. As the Monday night’s final quarter ticked under 12 minutes, Kansas City got the ball back and Patrick Mahomes did what Patrick Mahomes often does. Kansas City walked down the field. Mahomes handed a second touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins and handed his defense a lead. 24-17, Chiefs.

Buccaneers’ fans were treated to a thing of beauty, watching Baker Mayfield in a two-minute drill. Summoning up a late rally, Mayfield took Tampa down the field— finding Sterling Shepard, Trey Palmer, and Ryan Miller for the eventual game-tying touchdown— 10 plays, 71 yards with the game on the line.

For the second time this season Baker Mayfield would have to watch as his defense failed to get him the ball in overtime. Patrick Mahomes got the ball first and Kareem Hunt held the ball last— Touchdown Kansas City.

Noteworthy performers:

Baker Mayfield – 23/31, 200, 2TDs

Tykee Smith – 8 tackles, 1FF

Cade Otton – 8 catches, 77 yards, 1TD

Bucky Irving – 80 total yards (48 yard kick return)