Chiefs win in OT vs. Buccaneers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs survived an injury scare, then leaned on their big guys up front to remain undefeated on the season with a win Monday night.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had to be helped off the field after re-injuring his ankle but didn’t miss a snap, and Kansas City’s run offense highlighted three late scoring drives in the Chiefs’ 30-24 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mahomes, who first injured his left ankle in last week’s road game at Las Vegas, was hobbled again after shot-putting a 7-yard touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine late in the third quarter.

Though Mahomes initially couldn’t leave the field on his own power, he quickly bounced back after trainers looked at him, returning to the game on the next series. Kansas City, which trailed 17-10 in the third quarter, returned to its run game for the rally.

Running back Kareem Hunt — following downhill blockers such as Wanya Morris and Creed Humphrey — rushed seven times for 67 yards in a game-tying 70-yard drive, then backed that up with seven more carries the next possession that Mahomes capped with a 5-yard TD pass to put the Chiefs ahead.

The Chiefs defense couldn’t secure the victory late, though, allowing a 10-play, 71-yard drive in the final 2:16 as the Buccaneers tied it 24-24.

Kansas City won the toss in overtime and never gave Tampa Bay the ball back, driving 70 yards for a touchdown. Hunt ended it with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:08 left in overtime.

The Chiefs scored 30 points for the first time since Nov. 26, 2023, when they defeated the Raiders 31-17 in Las Vegas.

It also was a standout contest for receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had eight catches for 86 yards with two touchdowns. This was his second outing with the Chiefs after being acquired in a trade from the Tennessee Titans.

Kansas City led 10-7 at half after missing out on a pair of offensive opportunities to do more.

On Kansas City’s first possession, Mahomes threw a pass deep down the sideline for Xavier Worthy that could’ve been a touchdown, but Worthy lost his place on the field and caught the pass out of bounds. Following a sack, the Chiefs had to punt.

Then later, on a two-minute drive at the end of the second quarter, tight end Travis Kelce fumbled after catching a pass just after crossing midfield. Buccaneers cornerback Josh Hayes fell on the ball to keep the score 10-7.

Kansas City’s best first-half highlights were connections from Mahomes to Hopkins. The most impressive was a third-and-8 pass for 35 yards, as Hopkins ad-libbed his route late and snatched a catch between two closing Buccaneers defenders.

Three plays later, Mahomes found Hopkins in the back of the end zone for a 1-yard score, with the former Tennessee receiver subtly referencing his old team by celebrating with a “Remember the Titans” dance.

Mahomes’ early stats were outstanding. Before the break, he completed 18-of-22 passes for 166 yards with the touchdown pass to Hopkins. The QB finished 34 for 44 for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kelce had 14 catches for 100 yards.

The Chiefs (8-0) will play at home against the Denver Broncos at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 10.