Quick Chiefs-Bucs recap: Patrick Mahomes is “like” back

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime on “Monday Night Football” and remain undefeated at 8-0.

Patrick Mahomes is So back.

There was a lot of debate early in the season about whether quarterback Patrick Mahomes had done this lost it – Many national speakers were quick to point out that the Chiefs were winning every week despite Mahomes – more than Because by him.

Mahomes heard all the noise, as evidenced during his panel session on Wednesday, when he admitted he was comfortable with all the wins but challenged himself to play better, which led to better stats.

The sleeping giant of the two-time NFL MVP woke up Monday night – and reminded people how damn good he can be, going 34 for 44, 291 yards and three touchdowns and even staying in the game despite an injury scare.

It almost wasn't enough.

When a resolute Tampa Bay team forced overtime, Mahomes was called upon once again, and he orchestrated the 10-play, 70-yard drive the team needed to make it happen.

DeAndre Hopkins is exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Chiefs' 2024 season got off to a rocky start as their offseason plan to restore an explosive offense disappeared before their eyes. First, they lost Hollywood Brown in the preseason for much (if not all) of the regular season.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice's injury followed, seemingly ending the season, and soon after, JuJu Smith-Schuster was unavailable for several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach traded for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the 32-year-old five-time All-Pro who says he is energized to play meaningful football again.

After a 23-snap introduction last week, Hopkins played as if he had been on the roster all season. His 35-yard high-point catch amid three defenders for his first score showcased a threat Kansas City hasn't seemed to have in a long time: a receiver who can just go up get it.

Hopkins appears to be the perfect complement to tight end Travis Kelce. His eight-catch, 86-yard, two-touchdown effort looks like this exactly what the doctor ordered in a year where the offense was decimated by injuries.

Hopkins and Kelce help each other. The tight end had another fantastic performance, leading the team with 100 yards rushing on the night.

For the first time all season, the defense disappointed in key areas.

The Buccaneers never gave in to the Chiefs — even when star wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were out of the lineup.

Examining the night before the final phase of regulation, the Chiefs defense (led by George Karlaftis) had played adequately and held Tampa Bay to under 250 net yards up to that point.

The problem was twofold. First, like every week, Kansas City's defense neutralized the running game but fell victim to the opponent's athletic tight end. Secondly, it couldn't stop in time on this particular evening.

As Tampa Bay's primary target, tight end Cade Otton collected eight catches and 77 yards and gave the Buccaneers the lead by beating safety Justin Reid on the sixth play of a drive after halftime.

On the final play of regulation time, with less than three minutes left, quarterback Baker Mayfield quickly picked apart the Chiefs' defense and advanced quickly down the field on the way for a game-winning touchdown.

It was a defensive team for a while, but on Monday night the defense needed the offense for a change.

It worked – so Kansas City remains flawless that night.