Todd Bowles' decision to force overtime was a bad call, but Bucs' loss to Chiefs centers around something a lot worse
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) are currently on a three-game losing skid after the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) on Monday Night Football and there's an obvious reason why they lost to Patrick Mahomes and co. during the primetime matchup.And, it has nothing to do with Todd Bowles' decision to opt for overtime […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) are currently on a three-game losing skid after the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) on Monday Night Football and there's an obvious reason why they lost to Patrick Mahomes and co. during the primetime matchup.
And, it has nothing to do with Todd Bowles' decision to opt for overtime instead of attempting a potential game-winning two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.
The Bucs simply couldn't stop the Chiefs on third down. Especially Mahomes. He shredded them like parmesan cheese at your favorite Italian restaurant.
By the time there was 2:29 left in the game, Mahomes had completed all 11 of his third down pass attempts for 126-yards and all three of his touchdowns. He was sacked on two other dropbacks. 10 of the said 11 completions went for first downs, despite the fact Kansas City averaged a 3rd and 7 over the course of the 13 dropbacks.
Mahomes was responsible for converting 3rd downs of 10-, 8-, 10-, and 7-yards to go throughout that span. The Bucs simply didn't have an answer when it mattered most and it led to 21 of the Chiefs' 30 points on the night. His first incompletion came on a 3rd and 11 at the 2:29 mark and that was followed up with an incompletion to DeAndre Hopkins on a 3rd and 1 with seconds left in regulation.
Overall, the Chiefs converted third downs at a 12-for-18 clip. For the season, the Bucs have now allowed teams to convert third downs at a 43.1% – the 10th-highest rate in the league.
The Bucs defense has been under fire, lately, and for good reason. The unit is a shell of what we've become accustomed to since Bowles arrived in 2019 and it's a shame because this offense is the best offense the team has had since Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to a 13-4 record in 2021. If the defense was even half of what it's been over the years, then it's safe to say the Bucs aren't on a three-game skid and are certainly above .500 on the year.
Bowles' decision to kick the PAT was a bad call, but the Bucs' inability to contain Mahomes and co. on third down was the catalyst that put the team in that position, to begin with.
It doesn't look like things are going to get any better, this week, with the 49ers coming to town after their bye week.