Slow start, self-inflicted errors doom Bucs in 41-31 loss to Chiefs
It was too little, too late for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, as their last-ditch efforts at a comeback fell short in a 41-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Self-inflicted errors plagued the Bucs from the start, as rookie running back Rachaad White fumbled the opening kickoff, setting up a quick touchdown for the Chiefs. Kansas City would eventually build a three-score lead in the first half, though the Bucs would cut into it with a pair of touchdown passes from Tom Brady to Mike Evans, including one in the final seconds of the first half.
The Bucs would cut the Chiefs’ lead to two scores multiple times, but could never get closer than that, as Patrick Mahomes and company moved the ball at will for most of the night against a Tampa Bay defense that turned in easily their worst performance of the 2022 season so far.
Tampa Bay was forced to abandon the run early, which led to a strong stat line for Brady, who completed 39 of 52 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Brady did lose a critical fumble on a strip-sack that helped set up another score for Kansas City.
Mike Evans led the Bucs with 103 yards on eight receptions, including the 17th multi-touchdown game of his career. Evans also became the Bucs’ all-time leader in total yardage, passing running back James Wilder.
While Mahomes impressive as usual, it was Kansas City’s ability to dominate on the ground that might have been the most disappointing part of Sunday night’s game for Tampa Bay fans. The Chiefs racked up 189 yards rushing, while the Bucs managed just three.
The Chiefs converted a whopping 12 of their 17 third-down attempts, moving the chains at will for most of the game.
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