The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 10-1 on the season thanks to another MVP performance from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-24.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill had a career day, wracking up over 200 yards in the first quarter, finishing with 13 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs had very few problems on offense, as Kansas City carved up a very good Tampa Bay secondary on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the struggles from last week against the Rams appeared to carry over to this week’s matchup for Tom Brady. The 43-year-old completed 27 of 41 throws for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.
In the first quarter, the Chiefs got off to a hot start as Patrick Mahomes fired two touchdown passes, both to Tyreek Hill, in order to go up 17-0. First, a 75-yard strike, followed by a 44-yard bomb.
The Buccaneers finally got on the board after taking advantage of a Chiefs turnover at the Tampa Bay 8-yard line. Linebacker Shaquil Barrett forced the fumble while sacking Mahomes at the 15-yard line, and the ball was recovered by defensive tackle William Gholston with 8:40 left in the first half.
On first and 10, at their own 34-yard line, Tom Brady dropped back and fired a 29-yard bomb for tight end Rob Gronkowski to bring them to the K.C. 37. On the next play, Brady threw a short pass to running back Ronald Jones II, who stormed up the field for a 37-yard touchdown to bring the Bucs to within 10 points on the scoreboard.
However, Kansas City answered right away, as Mahomes led a 69-yard drive in 13 plays to set up kicker Harrison Butker to nail a 29-yard field attempt to put the Chiefs up 20-7 at halftime.
At the start of the third quarter, the Buccaneers led a drive that resulted in a 26-yard field goal by former Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop to bring them back to within 10 points. Not to be outdone, Mahomes took possession and led an 80-yard drive in seven plays and finished by delivering a 20-yard pass to Tyreek Hill for his third touchdown pass of the day.
Looking to answer Kansas City’s latest score, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense traveled 49 yards in three plays to the Chiefs 36-yard line. On first and ten, Brady threw a short pass to wide receiver Scotty Miller but was intercepted by Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland to give the Chiefs the ball back at their own 11-yard line. Kansas City would be forced to punt, however.
On the next Buccaneers drive, Tom Brady was picked off once more, this time by safety Tyrann Mathieu, on a short pass that was intended for wide receiver Mike Evans. Mathieu returned the pick 22-yard the other direction to the Kansas City 24-yard line. Unfortunately, the Chiefs’ offense would go three and out for the second straight possession.
At the end of the third quarter, the Buccaneers would finally find some good fortune as Brady led the Tampa Bay offense up the field, 75 yards in eight plays, to deliver a 31-yard strike to Mike Evans for the go-ahead score that put the Bucs back to within 10 points from taking the lead.
Midway in the fourth quarter, Tom Brady led another scoring drive that went 51 yards in 10 plays and once again resulted in Mike Evans reeling in a seven-yard reception in the end zone to make the score 27-24.
Instead of going for the onside kick, Tampa Bay decided to rely on their defense to get the ball back, but instead, Mahomes helped wind the clock down to secure the lead and the victory for Kansas City.
