In a high-stakes Monday Night Football clash, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell short against the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, losing 30-24 in overtime. But it was a controversial decision by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles that has fans and analysts questioning his late-game strategy.
Bowles Stands By Extra Point Call
With just 30 seconds remaining in regulation and the Bucs trailing 24-17, quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with receiver Ryan Miller for a 1-yard touchdown. Instead of attempting a two-point conversion to potentially win the game, Bowles sent out kicker Chase McLaughlin for the extra point to tie it up and force overtime.
“We wanted to get into overtime with the wet conditions on the field,” Bowles explained after the game. “We thought we had to go into overtime instead of going for two. We had our shots. We lost the game.”
The decision backfired as the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss and promptly marched down the field, scoring on a 2-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run to seal the victory. It marked the second time this season that the Bucs lost in overtime on the road in prime time, with their defense surrendering a touchdown on the opening possession.
A Skid of Tough Losses
The loss was Tampa Bay’s third straight, dropping them to 4-5 and below .500 for the first time this season. It’s a concerning trend for a team that has won the NFC South the past three years and defeated these same Chiefs in Super Bowl LV just three seasons ago.
Injuries have certainly played a role, with star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin going down in a Week 7 loss to the Ravens. Mayfield, who was brought in to steady the ship after Tom Brady’s retirement, has had to make do with a depleted receiving corps.
“Against a team with an offense like that, you can only give them so many chances. They win the coin toss, and that’s what happens.”
– Baker Mayfield on the Chiefs’ overtime win
Bucs Not Settling for Moral Victories
Despite nearly knocking off the NFL’s last unbeaten team on the road, Mayfield and the Bucs took little solace in a close loss. “Right now, it’s about us,” the quarterback said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. We need to focus on doing our job and finding ways to win. That’s all that matters.”
Coach Bowles echoed that sentiment, refusing to let his team get accustomed to losing. “We’re not gonna get used to losing,” he declared. “We had some good plays. We took our swings. They connected more than we did. We fought but it wasn’t good enough so we gotta get ready next week for another one.”
Tough Road Ahead in Competitive NFC South
The path forward doesn’t get any easier for Tampa Bay. Even in a down year for the NFC South, the division remains highly competitive. The Falcons and Saints are nipping at the Bucs’ heels, eager to dethrone the three-time defending champs.
Next up for Bowles’ squad is a pivotal home matchup against an NFC opponent. A win would go a long way toward righting the ship and keeping Tampa Bay in the thick of the playoff race. But if the losing skid continues, the heat will only intensify on Bowles and his controversial coaching decisions.
As Mayfield put it, “We just have to stop the skid. We have to look at the things of why we lost and go from there.”
For the Buccaneers, finding answers and getting back in the win column is paramount. With a 4-5 record and a host of contenders eager to supplant them atop the division, Bowles and his team have little margin for error going forward. Every coaching decision, every play will be magnified.
The road to a fourth straight NFC South title just got significantly more treacherous for Tampa Bay. How they navigate it – and whether Bowles’ aggressive decision-making paves the way or serves as a roadblock – will determine if this talented team can turn its season around before it’s too late.
