Monday night’s game ended with a controversial decision by Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles to not go for two after scoring a touchdown to trim the score to 24-23 with 27 seconds left.
After the game, Bowles said he gave “very minor” consideration to a two-point conversion, and that the “wet conditions” drove the decision to play for overtime.
Bowles addressed the issue again in an interview with WFLA, via JoeBucsFan.com. Per Bowles, the decision was made before the final touchdown was scored.
“I mean, we talked about it as a staff going down there [to the end zone]; going forward we understood we were going for one and we were going to get it into overtime,” Bowles told Dan Lucas. “We felt we had momentum with moving the ball on offense; we thought defensively we could hold them to three and get the ball back and either tie them or beat them that way, as well. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”
Bowles wasn’t asked about the situation during his five-minute Wednesday press conference. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was; he said he didn’t urge Bowles to go for two.
“No, I didn’t lobby for [two],” Mayfield said, via JoeBucsFan.com. “I mean, hindsight is 20/20 when you look at it. [We] had a little momentum there on the long drive. They were gassed a little bit but, you know, hindsight is 20/20. . . . You’re hoping to win the coin toss. I’m not a fan of the overtime rules. Obviously it’s gotten us twice now so, yeah, overtime rules — not the best.”
Again, the issue wasn’t failing to go for two. The issue was taking a timeout with 33 seconds left. Going for two and giving the ball back to Patrick Mahomes with three timeouts and 27 seconds to play is a recipe for disaster.
The only way to slay the dragon that is the Chiefs is to score that touchdown with minimal time on the clock and then go for two.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters in his Wednesday press conference that his ankle is “doing good” despite being sore after tweaking it against the Buccaneers on Monday night.
He didn’t think he’d have any limitations in practice, and Kansas City’s first injury report of the week reflects that.
The Chiefs listed Mahomes as a full participant in Wednesday’s session.
Mahomes did not miss an offensive snap on Monday night.
Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.
Receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder/knee), running back Kareem Hunt (quad), and defensive end George Karlaftis (abdomen) were all limited.
Defensive end Michael Danna (pectoral), safety Nazeeh Johnson (concussion), and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps) were full.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes felt he avoided a serious ankle injury after Monday night’s overtime win over the Buccaneers and he’s still feeling good about where things stand on Wednesday
Mahomes initially hurt the ankle in Week Eight against the Raiders and said he was scared when it happened again on Monday night, but he plans to be on the practice field on Wednesday without any limitations on what he’ll be able to do.
“It’s doing good, you know,” Mahomes said. “Obviously when you have a little bit of a roll, it’s a little bit sore. But I’m able to move around and look forward to getting out to practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on.’'
Mahomes said having a short week coming off of their Monday night win made the ankle recovery a little more difficult, but there was no sign of concern about his availability to face the Broncos this weekend.
The Chiefs haven’t lost since Christmas Day. On Monday night, they ran their 2024 record to 8-0.
In this week’s power rankings, the question was raised as to whether it’s too early to ponder whether the Chiefs can run the table.
It’s not. They’re nine games away. They’ve won 14 in a row already. And they’re playing with a weekly sense of urgency that reflects their approach to each and every postseason game they play: Find a way to win.
Their ability to keep winning creates more and more confidence that the winning will continue. For their opponents, the only way to avoid the inevitable is to build a lead that the Chiefs can’t overcome.
The schedule doesn’t have many obvious rough spots. The Broncos come to town on Sunday, reeling from a blowout in Baltimore. Then, it’s a Week 11 visit to Buffalo — and probably the toughest game left on the slate.
Next, it’s a trip to Charlotte. Then, a Black Friday game against the Raiders. The Chargers visit on Sunday night of Week 14.
The schedule finishes at the Browns, vs. the Texans, at Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, and at the Broncos.
Their overriding goal is to win a third straight Super Bowl. As they get closer and closer to perfection, however, the Chiefs will become more cognizant of the chance to make two kinds of history. Three in a row AND 20-0.
Obviously, it won’t be easy. None of the big things they’ve accomplished have been. But they’ve kept on accomplishing big things.
With each week, they’re getting closer to the biggest thing. Now, the possibility of accomplishing the two biggest things the NFL has ever seen is coming into focus.
Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a huge impact on Monday night’s victory by the Chiefs, with eight catches and two of the three touchdowns scored in regulation. At one point during the broadcast, ESPN’s Troy Aikman referred to Hopkins as a future Hall of Famer.
Which raised a question. Is Hopkins a Hall of Famer?
Former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty said on Tuesday’s PFT Live that the plan for facing teams featuring Hopkins was to constantly double-team him. That’s a key ingredient to establishing true, next-level greatness.
Hopkins’s numbers support his case. He’s currently 23rd in career receiving yards. He has greater production than Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner, Michael Irvin, Don Maynard, and Calvin Johnson.
At 12,643, Hopkins also has more career yardage than presumed Hall of Famer Mike Evans and potential Hall of Famer Antonio Brown. And Hopkins soon will pass Hall of Famer Art Monk (12,721), with Steve Largent (13,089) and Andre Reed (13,198) up next.
Hopkins is also a three-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler.
Hopkins’s case would be bolstered by a Super Bowl win. As Devin and I discussed on PFT Live, Hopkins’s arrival could give the Chiefs a kick in the ass in the effort to get there (as if they need one). Adding a well-known veteran who has never played in a Super Bowl can help a team that has won a Super Bowl or two avoid complacency and embrace the opportunity to climb the mountain, again.
So is Hopkins a Hall of Famer? Currently, probably. With a Super Bowl win, definitely.