Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5): 30-24 ap
At the end of the night, after yet another long, well-constructed offensive, the Chiefs preserved their invincibility. Winners of the draw in overtime, Patrick Mahomes (34/44, 291 yards, 3 TDs) and his attack took the ball to chain 10 actions, 70 yards, almost six minutes of possession, and above all a touchdown from Kareem Hunt to snatch victory.
A conclusion like the meeting, with an attack from the Chiefs which ended up exhausting the Buccaneers. Tampa fought well though. Still deprived of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Baker Mayfield (23/31, 200 yards, 2 TDs) managed to keep his team in the game until the end. But ultimately he didn't even have his chance in overtime.
The patient Chiefs, the eye-catching Buccaneers
If the Chiefs' first offensive ended with a punt, it still set the tone, with 5 minutes and 44 seconds elapsed on the clock. In total, Kansas City will have the ball for more than 40 minutes this Monday evening, compared to 25 for their opponents.
But it was Rashaad White who scored the first touchdown for the equally efficient Buccaneers. DeAndre Hopkins (8 rec, 86 yards, 2 TDs) responds, and the Chiefs lead 10-7 at the break.
The third quarter is for Tampa. Cade Otton (8 rec, 77 yards, 1 TD), who serves as number one receiver, scores upon returning from the locker room. After a defensive stop, his team added a field goal. And here the Bucs are ahead 17-10.
Patrick Mahomes distributes
But the Chiefs machine is unfolding. If the defense is less locked down than usual, the attack is better. Kareem Hunt (27 races, 106 yards, 1 TD) multiplies the races, Patrick Mahomes waters Travis Kelce (14 rec, 100 yards) and Samaje Perine invites himself to the party for the equalizer. A little later, it was the new kid DeAndre Hopkins who scored to put the Reds in front (24-17).
But the Buccaneers are definitely not giving up. Their defense calms the Chiefs, and Baker Mayfield finds Ryan Miller for the equalizer 27 seconds from the end (24-24)! Tampa remains wise and does not attempt a two-point conversion which could have been synonymous with victory. Too bad, they won't see the ball again.
On a day when their defense was less solid, the two-time defending champions were able to win thanks to an attack that was getting better. In a different style from the past, but effective. Worrying for the rest of the NFL.
