Chiefs-Buccaneers: Kansas Metropolis takes 24-17 lead with 4 minutes left

Below cloudy, wet skies, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are internet hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for “Monday Night time Soccer” on GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium, hoping to not solely lengthen their 2024 report to 8-0, but in addition set a franchise report by profitable 14 consecutive video games. Kansas Metropolis hasn’t dropped a recreation since their 20-14 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders final Christmas Day.

First quarter

The Buccaneers gained the opening coin toss, and deferred the choice to the second half. That put the Chiefs in place to begin with the ball on the 30-yard line after a touchback.

Tight finish Travis Kelce made two early catches, one igniting the group by leaping up for a ball over the center in tight protection. That put the Chiefs previous midfield, then Kelce pushed additional with a robust out-breaking route that received him open right down to the 33-yard line. It appeared vast receiver Xavier Worthy discovered room for a completion to the one-yard line, however he was not in a position to keep in bounds to complete the play.

That killed the drive; two performs later, Bucs’ defensive deal with Vita Vea sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes to formally finish the scoring risk. The Chiefs punted to Tampa Bay.

The Bucs moved the chains with a couple of efficient fast passes to begin the drive, however the Chiefs’ protection almost got here up with an interception early. Security Justin Reid lurked over the center and received his arms on a go however couldn’t full the catch. That arrange third down, the place the go rush got here by and batted a go down. That pressured a punt.

It was vast receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ flip to get a drive going. He earned 25 yards over two receptions, the second shifting the chains on a slant over the center. A second-down scramble by Mahomes moved the Chiefs to the Bucs’ 20-yard line, however the offense was set again on a blown up reverse to Worthy.

It led to 3rd and 16 from the 26-yard line. The Chiefs performed it conservatively with a display screen go to operating again Samaje Perine, establishing a discipline purpose. The profitable kick gave Kansas Metropolis a 3-0 lead with two minutes to go within the first interval.

The Bucs’ run recreation was filled with authority on two straight performs to begin this drive. On third down, defensive finish George Karlaftis wrapped up quarterback Baker Mayfield for a sack — nevertheless it was negated by a defensive holding name. That led into the second quarter.

Second quarter

An inexcusable delay of recreation by Tampa Bay to begin the quarter didn’t set them again. An 11-yard achieve by tight finish Cade Otton was adopted by a jet sweep handoff that gained 19 yards on third and brief.

In good place on the Chiefs’ 33-yard line, the Bucs continued a robust possession with artistic methods to get operating again Bucky Irving operating room. He pushed to the 21-yard line after a pleasant run. The Chiefs tightened up within the pink zone, then couldn’t get residence on the blitz and allowed a third-down conversion.

That was adopted up by a landing run by operating again Rachaad White, a Kansas Metropolis native. He put the Bucs in entrance 7-3.

Broad receiver Justin Watson discovered room for a 12-yard achieve to get the subsequent drive going. Nevertheless, Mahomes was dragged down for a sack two performs later. Watson received open once more, this time gaining 19 yards and advancing previous midfield. The drive turned to 3rd down, and a determined Mahomes gave Hopkins an opportunity in triple protection. Hopkins got here down with it on the three-yard line.

Two runs couldn’t attain the purpose line, however Mahomes discovered Hopkins behind the tip zone to complete the 11-play drive. That gave the Chiefs a 10-7 lead.

With a result in defend, the Chiefs’ protection went to work. Karlaftis ripped previous a good finish into the backfield for a sack, and a display screen go on third down was chased down by new Chiefs’ edge rusher Joshua Uche.

After the two-minute warning, the Chiefs began with possession on the 17-yard line. The drive began with a very good achieve by operating again Samaje Perine, nevertheless it was adopted by two incompletions. That led to 3rd and 10, the place Mahomes discovered Kelce over the center for 20 yards close to midfield.

A deep throw to Watson almost hit, however was a bit of too far into the tip zone. One play later, Kelce was stripped of the ball operating after the catch and gave the Bucs possession.

Below a minute to go within the half, the Chiefs’ protection stiffened as much as power third down shortly. A holding penalty negated a conversion for the Bucs, and the next play was stopped in need of the sticks. That pressured a punt close to the 50-yard line with 30 seconds left.

The Chiefs seemed to get in place for a discipline purpose earlier than halftime, attending to the 30-yard line and calling a timeout. That was adopted up by a sack, ending the risk and the primary half.

Third quarter

Tampa Bay received an enormous return to begin the second half, getting all the best way to the 49-yard line. The offense ran the ball three straight performs to realize a primary down, and received 15 extra yards as a result of cornerback Joshua Williams made a horse-collar deal with. Two constructive performs later, Tampa Bay threatened from the 11-yard line.

Tight finish Cade Otton ran a wheel path to the tip zone previous Justin Reid for a landing, placing the Bucs forward 14-10.

The Chiefs’ offense couldn’t reply the Bucs’ landing, following two incompletions with a 12-yard sack. It was a 3 and out.

Tampa Bay picked up the place they left off on their final possession, discovering Otton for an 18-yard achieve to begin it. The protection did push to 3rd down, however Otton was the participant shifting the chains as soon as once more. The drive was set again with a facemask penalty by the Bucs, resulting in a 3rd and 18. The display screen go was tackled in need of the sticks, however gave Tampa Bay a chance to make a discipline purpose and take a 17-10 lead.

The Chiefs leaned on Hunt to get the possession rolling, then vast receiver Mecole Hardman moved the chains with a catch and run. That received the Chiefs in Tampa Bay territory, and Hunt took them additional with a 15-yard achieve that ended on the 20-yard line. The dedicated run recreation continued to the Bucs’ 10-yard line because the third quarter ended.

Fourth quarter

An try to attain with a designed shovel go to Kelce failed, however Mahomes manufactured a landing by scrambling, attracting the protection then throwing a ball over the heads of these defenders. That tied the sport 17-17.

The rain affected the Bucs’ offense, who missed a second-down go then couldn’t go anyplace on third down. The Mayfield scramble was stopped in need of the sticks, resulting in a punt again to Kansas Metropolis.

The run recreation continued to be featured by the Chiefs, utilizing four-straight handoffs to earn a primary down and close to midfield on this drive. That was adopted up with a clear catch and run by Hardman to realize 12 yards and work to the Bucs’ 39-yard line. Watson additionally gained 12 yards on a catch quickly after. Hunt then took it to the nine-yard line with a 13-yard run.

It was third and purpose, and Mahomes went to his new goal as soon as once more: Hopkins caught the contested slant, placing the Chiefs up 24-17.

Accidents

Broad receiver Mecole Hardman stayed down after an enormous return within the first quarter. He walked to the locker room favoring his proper shoulder.

Defensive finish George Karlaftis and defensive deal with Tershawn Wharton stayed down after a play within the third quarter. Each gamers returned shortly.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes awkwardly planted on his proper knee as he threw within the fourth quarter. He needed to be helped to the blue tent.

Particular Groups

Punter Matt Araiza booted his first punt right down to the six-yard line within the first quarter.

Kicker Harrison Butker made a 40-yard discipline purpose within the first quarter. He made his first point-after try within the second quarter.

Punt returner Mecole Hardman discovered area for a 33-yard achieve up the sideline on his first return.