In overtime, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 30-24 on a two-yard touchdown rush by Kareem Hunt. The game revolved around third down efficiency, as all four of Kansas City’s touchdowns came on third down. Overall, the Bucs converted five of eleven attempts on third down, while the Chiefs completed twelve of eighteen. Baker Mayfield threw for 200 yards, two touchdowns and completed 23 of 31 attempts.

The Chiefs’ first offensive possession was stopped by Vita Vea shortly after a third-down sack on Patrick Mahomes. Vea beat Creed Humphrey up the middle and dropped Mahomes for a nine-yard loss on third down. That play knocked the Chiefs out of field goal range and forced a punt. George Karlaftis ended the Bucs’ first drive, deflecting Baker Mayfield’s pass intended for Sterling Shepard on third down.

On the Chiefs’ next drive, DeAndre Hopkins moved the chains off a skinny post with a 17-yard gain and Mahomes scrambled on the next play, finding a crease for another first down. Kansas City tried a reverse play with speedster Xavier Worthy and Yaya Diaby dropped him in the backfield for a 10 loss on first down. The Chiefs narrowly missed the sticks on third down, forcing a 40-yard Harrison Butker field goal.

On the Bucs’ first possession of the second quarter, Sterling Shepard picked up 19 yards on a jet sweep. Shepard again became the catalyst from third-and-9 a few plays later, as he gained 13 yards on an out route. Rachaad White capped the 11-play, 70-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown rush. He used a stutter step maneuver and Tristan Wirfs got the kickside block to open the crease for White. The Bucs took a 7-3 lead inside Arrowhead with an offensive surge.

On the Chiefs’ next drive, Vita Vea beat Mahomes on second down for a loss of three. Diaby provided the first pressure and Vea finished at No. 15. The Chiefs’ Justin Watson took advantage of zone coverage for a 19-yard pickup. Mahomes finished the delayed blitz and found Watson to move the sticks. DeAndre Hopkins then got vertical on an impromptu route and Mahomes dropped the pass between triple coverage and Hopkins hauled in the catch for a gain of 35 yards, bringing the Chiefs to the Tampa Bay three-yard line. On third down, Mahomes found Hopkins in the back of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Chiefs a 10–7 lead.

On the next drive, Mayfield was sacked by Karlaftis and a screen to White fell short, resulting in a Bucs punt. On the ensuing drive for the Chiefs, Travis Kelce gained 20 yards and found the weak spot in the zone above the middle of the field. Several plays later, Kelce fumbled, and Josh Hayes recovered at the Tampa Bay 45-yard line, sending Mayfield and company back into action. Mayfield got the first down on a quarterback draw, but a holding penalty negated the first and instead set up third-and-16. Mayfield’s ensuing scramble came up short and forced a punt. Calijah Kancey sacked Mahomes after a loss of seven, leading to halftime.

At the half, Bucky Irving returned the kickoff 46 yards to the Tampa Bay 49-yard line. Rakim Jarrett bounced off a tackle to pick up nine yards, and Cade Otton capped the six-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown. Otton moved and Ryan Miller cleared the way on a vertical route, giving Otton a one-on-one. He gave the Bucs a 14-10 lead in the third quarter.

The Bucs defense followed with a strong run. Rookie Tykee Smith forced an incompletion by putting Kelce over the middle of the field at second. On third down, Vea provided the first pressure, flushing Mahomes from the pocket. Kancey finished the play with a sack, cutting off Mahomes’ legs.

On the first play, Otton built momentum with an 18-yard gain. Mayfield zipped the ball across the middle of the field to Oton, who took a physical blow and managed to hold on. A few plays later, the Bucs converted on third-and-12 when Mayfield found Otton for a gain of 15. Irving then spun for a seven-yard gain on a swing pass, forcing missed tackles. Otton followed suit with a seven-yard gain on a tight end screen, setting up a 47-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin.

To open the next defensive series for the Bucs, Antoine Winfield Jr. came on. downhill in second to stop Kareem Hunt before he could cut back, along with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The Chiefs were able to convert on third down when Todd Bowles sent a zero blitz and Mahomes connected with Mecole Hardman for the first time. Hunt then plunged up the middle around the left guard for a gain of 15, bringing the Chiefs to the Tampa Bay 20-yard line. Kansas City cashed in with a touchdown when Mahomes found Samaje Perine for a seven-yard touchdown to tie the score at 17. Mahomes was injured during the game and was helped off the field by medical staff with an ankle injury.

The Bucs offense had a quick three-and-out and a subsequent punt on the next 90-second drive, and Mahomes re-entered the game for Kansas City. The Chiefs turned third-and-short when Mahomes found his go-to in Kelce. A few plays later, Hunt grabbed the first of fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive. From third-and-5, the middle of the field opened up for Watson and Hunt moved the Chiefs to first and scored on a nine-yard run. Mahomes found Hopkins about to score a five-yard touchdown, giving the home team a 24-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. That 78-yard drive took half the clock in the frame (8:26).

The Bucs then went three-and-out after a second-down sack by Mayfield that led to a third-and-long. An incompletion on third down left the kick just over two minutes in regulation. The Chiefs offense then stalled and a Perine drop on third-and-11 forced the punt.

On the next drive, a gain of 14 for Trey Palmer and a gain of 18 for Shepard put the Bucs at the Kansas City 49-yard line. Then a nine-yard pickup for White on third down and a spinning grab for Shepard put the Bucs in favorable positioning. Palmer got the team to first and goal with a 19-yard gain and Mayfield connected with Ryan Miller on a one-yard touchdown with :27 on the clock to tie the score at 24. After a pair of incompletions for Mahomes, the game was sent to overtime. Kareem Hunt plunged into the end zone on a two-yard rush to seal the Chief’s victory in overtime, 30-24.