KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles defended his decision to opt for the extra point instead of attempting a two-point conversion after his team scored a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We felt the wet conditions and the way the game was unfolding, we needed to get to overtime rather than gamble on a two-point conversion," Bowles explained. "We took our shots, but we lost the game. It didn’t come down to that one play."
The Bucs were trailing 24-17 with just over four minutes left in regulation when the Chiefs scored a touchdown, pushing their lead to seven points. After both teams exchanged quick three-and-outs, Tampa Bay mounted an 11-play drive led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, which culminated in a 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ryan Miller.
Despite the opportunity to go for two and potentially take the lead with just 27 seconds remaining, Bowles opted to send kicker Chase McLaughlin out for the extra point, which tied the game at 24-24.
"We went for the extra point," Bowles said. "We took our shots. We had our chances, but ultimately, we lost the game. It didn’t come down to that decision."
A Tough Loss for the Bucs
The Chiefs’ victory was sealed in overtime, as they marched down the field on the first possession, with running back Kareem Hunt scoring a 2-yard touchdown to give Kansas City the win. The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, now hold an 8-2 overtime record since Mahomes became the full-time starter in 2018, the best in the NFL during that stretch.
For the Buccaneers, this was their second overtime loss in prime time on the road this season, both of which resulted in the defense allowing a touchdown on the first possession of overtime. Earlier in the season, the Bucs fell to the Atlanta Falcons 36-30 in a similar fashion.
Since the NFL adopted the current regular-season overtime rules in 2012, only four teams have lost multiple prime-time overtime games in a single season, according to ESPN Research: the 2015 Cowboys, 2021 Chargers, 2022 Broncos, and now the 2024 Buccaneers.
"We fought hard, but it wasn’t enough," Bowles said. "We can’t get used to losing. We had some good moments, but we have to move forward and get ready for next week."
The Bucs have seen better days, having won the NFC South division title for the past three seasons. However, the loss dropped their record to 4-5, their first time below .500 this season. This marks the start of a three-game losing streak for Tampa Bay.
The Bucs' slide began with a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago, in which wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both sustained injuries. In response, the team called up Ryan Miller from the practice squad, and his touchdown against Kansas City marked the first of his NFL career. However, the Bucs were still missing a key piece in rookie Jalen McMillan, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Baker Mayfield's Frustration
Baker Mayfield, who has been under center for the Buccaneers, expressed frustration after the loss, especially after Tampa Bay lost the coin toss in overtime, effectively handing the Chiefs the first possession.
"Against an offense like theirs, you can’t give them extra chances," Mayfield said. "They win the coin toss, and we saw what happened. I’m proud of the offense for stepping up, but we’re at a point where we just have to find a way to win."
Despite the close loss, Mayfield stressed the importance of focusing on the future rather than any moral victories.
"It doesn’t matter who we’re playing," he said. "We need to take a hard look at why we lost, correct it, and figure out how we turn this around. We need to stop the skid."
Challenges and Injuries Piling Up
The Bucs' recent struggles have been compounded by injuries. In addition to the losses of Evans and Godwin, Tampa Bay has been dealing with a mix of lineup changes and key injuries. Mayfield's frustration is understandable, especially considering the offense has had to adjust without its top receiving threats.
The Chiefs’ victory also marked a bitter chapter for Tampa Bay, as it showed the growing challenges the team faces in both the short and long term. The Bucs will now look to regroup and focus on their upcoming home game against an NFC opponent.
Bowles did not let the loss demoralize his team, instead focusing on how the team can improve.
“We had some good moments, but we didn’t make enough plays when it counted,” Bowles said. “We’ve got to get back to work and be ready for next week. We can’t dwell on this one.”
A Season on the Brink for Tampa Bay
The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 4-5, a record that has them currently out of playoff contention in the competitive NFC South. The Bucs have an uphill battle ahead as they attempt to salvage their season and get back into the playoff hunt.
"We’ve been here before," Bowles said. "We’ve won the division three years in a row. Now, we have to fight back, get better, and make sure we don’t get used to losing."
As the season progresses, the Bucs face critical games in the second half, needing to rebound from this losing streak and prove they still have the potential to compete in the NFC South. The team has relied on its defense in previous seasons but has seen that unit struggle at times in 2024, especially in the clutch moments like overtime against the Chiefs.
Turning Point for the Bucs?
The decision not to go for two at the end of regulation in Kansas City has stirred debate. While Bowles was firm in his explanation, it’s clear that every decision will be scrutinized closely in the coming weeks as the Bucs continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
The Bucs, now 4-5, have a lot to prove. If they are to have any hopes of turning things around and making the postseason, it will require a complete team effort and more moments of execution like the one that tied the game against the Chiefs. However, as Mayfield emphasized, they can’t afford to look back too long.
"It's tough, but we've got to move forward," he said. "We can’t keep saying we’re close. We’ve got to go out and make those plays."
The road ahead won’t be easy, but Tampa Bay knows it must focus on the task at hand to ensure they don’t fall further behind.
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