After a heartbreaking 30-24 loss at Kansas City, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the Chiefs to the wire on Monday Night Football. The Buccaneers took the Chiefs to overtime, something no team has done this season, but they still found themselves on the losing side after the Chiefs offense managed to score points first in overtime . Unfortunately, due to the rules in place, the Bucs never had a chance to possess the ball after Kansas City won the coin toss and Patrick Mahomes took his offense down the field for the go-ahead score.

However, the Bucs showed courage, determination and fight until the end. With their three best receivers and their best cornerback, the Buccaneers found a way to stay and almost pulled off the upset. While there are no moral victories in football, the Bucs have to feel good about losing and their season losses outside of the shellacking the Broncos gave them in Week 3. The Bucs need to prepare for a tough game against the 49ers. Here are my thoughts and key takeaways from the Bucs’ overtime loss to the Chiefs.

Aside from the referees, who are usually a topic of discussion when teams play the Chiefs, perhaps the most controversial decision was that of Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, who kicked an extra point after scored the tying touchdown instead of aiming for two and the victory. The Bucs had just driven 70 yards down the field after the Chiefs ran for eight minutes to get the go-ahead goal. The Bucs defense was gassed and playing for overtime with Mahomes’ chance and the offense getting the ball first was a headache.

When Bowles was asked about the decision not to go for two points, he explained that the conditions on the field were part of the reason he chose to send the game to overtime, saying they didn’t hadn’t given much thought to the two-point conversion. The problem is that the Bucs had just played in these conditions to score six and bring the game within reach of a victory. Bowles doubled down on the “wet conditions” Tuesday, saying he thought the defense, the same one that struggled to stop Mahomes on third down all night, could stall and the offensive momentum would would continue into overtime.

Unfortunately, the Bucs never had a chance to carry their offensive momentum into overtime, failing to possess the ball after Mahomes and the offense scored a touchdown. I know the analytics, which say by a slim margin give the extra point, but with the chance to steal a victory from the undefeated Chiefs on their home field, especially with the conditions that are within your reach, you have to go for it. Just another example of Bowles not running the game enthusiastically and playing safe.

Another week, another big match from Cade Otton. After last week’s performance, Otton’s consistent play needs to be discussed. Over the past three weeks, the third-year tight end has 25 receptions on 31 targets for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He’s solidifying himself as one of the best tight ends in the game before our eyes. He has developed chemistry with Baker Mayfield, and the quarterback trusts him on key spots to make plays.

It wasn’t just his receiving prowess that showed for the gloveless tight end. Otton has improved tremendously as a blocker. His blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus increased by 16 points this season and it’s noticeable on the field as well. Since Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were injured, Otton has stepped up in more ways than one. He’s expanded his route tree and shown he can handle a bigger workload, which is a good thing for the Bucs with Evans down for at least another week and Godwin lost for the season.

The Bucs haven’t really struggled with pressure this season, what they have struggled with is finishing. In fact, the Bucs have 173 pressures this season, with outside linebacker Yaya Diaby leading the way with 33. However, the team only has 26 sacks midway through the season and has struggled to get home without sending a extra blitzer throughout the year.

Well, that changed Monday night against the Chiefs. All four of the Bucs’ sacks against Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes came from baseline pressure and came up the middle. Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey dominated a very good Chiefs interior offensive line by notching four sacks on the night. Vea’s first sack took Kansas City out of field goal position, while both of Kancey’s sacks were drive ends. His first came on the final series of the second quarter to end the half, and his second blocked the Chief’s first possession of the half.

The Bucs’ outside linebackers still need to do a better job getting home. If Vea and Kancey can continue to disrupt from the inside, that should open up more opportunities for everyone.

*Prime*

His name was mentioned all night on Monday Night Football and for good reason. Bucs first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen is currently rocking the offense, scoring 24 points per game over the past two weeks without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He’s had to do it with guys who are marginal number three receivers and he finds a way to elevate their play through creativity and excellent play calling. The Bucs are ranked fifth in total offense, fifth in passing , fifth in scoring, second in red zone and second in third-down offense. With a revitalized ground game, which finished last in the previous two seasons, Coen has Tampa Bay as the 10th best running attack in the league. Give the man his flowers because he’s doing a hell of a job with the Buccaneers offense, and he’s doing it with his two best players.

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