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The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime on “Monday Night Football” to remain undefeated at 8-0.
Patrick Mahomes is so back.
There had been much early-season discourse on whether quarterback Patrick Mahomes had lost it — as many national talking heads were quick to point out that the Chiefs were winning each and every week despite Mahomes — rather than because of him.
Mahomes heard all the noise, as evidenced by his podium session Wednesday, when he acknowledged he was comfortable with all the winning but challenged himself to play better, leading to improved statistics.
The two-time NFL MVP sleeping giant awoke on Monday night — reminding folks of how damn good he can be to the tune of 34 for 44, 291 yards and three touchdowns and even fighting through an injury scare to stay in the game.
It almost wasn’t enough.
When a feisty Tampa Bay team forced overtime, Mahomes was called upon one more time, and he orchestrated the 10-play, 70-yard drive the team needed to get it done.
DeAndre Hopkins is just what the doctor ordered.
The Chiefs’ 2024 campaign began with a difficult beginning, as their offseason plan to reestablish an explosive offense disappeared before their eyes. First, in the preseason, they lost Hollywood Brown for much (if not all) of the regular season.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice’s seemingly season-ending injury was to follow, and shortly after, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hamstring issue deemed him unavailable for a few weeks.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made the move for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the 32-year-old five-time All-Pro who says he is energized to play meaningful football once again.
After a 23-snap introduction last week, Hopkins played like he’s been on the roster all season. His 35-yard high-point catch amidst three defenders to set up his first score showcased a threat that Kansas City hasn’t seemed to have for a long time: a receiver who can just go up and get it.
Hopkins seems to be the perfect complement to tight end Travis Kelce. His eight-catch, 86-yard, two-touchdown effort looks like just what the doctor ordered in a year where the offense has been decimated by injuries.
Hopkins and Kelce help each other. The tight end put together another fantastic performance, leading the team with 100 yards on the night.
For the first time all season, the defense disappointed in big spots.
The Buccaneers never backed down from the Chiefs — even with star wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out of the lineup.
Examining the night leading into the final drive of regulation, the Chiefs’ defense (led by George Karlaftis) had been playing sufficiently, holding Tampa Bay to under 250 net yards to that point.
The problem was twofold. First — as has been the case every week — Kansas City’s defense neutralized the running game but fell victim to the opponent’s athletic tight end. Second — on this particular evening — it couldn’t make the timely stops.
As Tampa Bay’s primary target, tight end Cade Otton collected eight catches and 77 yards, and he put the Buccaneers ahead by beating safety Justin Reid on the sixth play of a go-ahead drive out of halftime.
On the final drive of regulation, with less than three minutes remaining, quarterback Baker Mayfield quickly picked the Chiefs’ defense apart, swiftly moving down the field en route to a game-tying touchdown.
It has been a defensive team for a while, but on Monday night, the defense needed the offense for a change.
It came through — so on this night, Kansas City remains unblemished.