The Chiefs used a huge first quarter and a massive day from Tyreek Hill to top the Brady-led Buccaneers 27-24 in Tampa to improve to 10-1 on the year.
The Chiefs came out on fire. Specifically, Mahomes and Hill came out perfectly in sync, with Mahomes finding Hill deep twice in the first quarter, helping the Chiefs jump out to a 17-0 lead.
Overall, Tyreek Hill had over 200 yards and two touchdowns in just the first quarter.
The Chiefs defense came out strong as well, forcing punts on each of Tampa Bay’s first four possessions.
A rare Mahomes turnover led to the Bucs first TD of the night, but the Chiefs were able to make it 20-7 going into the half.
Right out of the break, Mahomes once again found Hill in the end zone.
Hill finished with 13 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Mahomes finished 37/49 for 462 yards and three touchdowns. What these guys do on a weekly basis (combined with Kelce) is insane.
The Chiefs defense came up with some clutch plays in the third as well. On all three Bucs possessions in the quarter, Tom Brady drove Tampa down into Chiefs territory. On the first drive, Kansas City held Tampa to three. On the next two, the Chiefs D came up with two big interceptions to keep the game at 27-10.
The Bucs made it close in the fourth, but the Chiefs were ultimately able to hold on to move to 10-1 on the year, and 6-0 on the road.
Kansas City did not play a perfect game by any means. There were untimely penalties, dropped passes (including a brutal Mecole Hardman drop that would’ve been an 89-yard TD), and the offense failed to capitalize off of two Brady interceptions. The defense also gave up several big plays that they will look to clean up.
That being said, a win is a win, especially against a team led by Tom Brady. Mahomes is now 2-2 head-to-head vs. Brady in his young career, and unless they meet in the Super Bowl or Brady plays until 2024, this was the last meeting between the two.
Elsewhere in the AFC West, all three rivals lost. The Raiders were smacked by the Falcons 43-6, the Chargers struggled against a very good Buffalo team, losing 27-17, and the QB-less Broncos were handled by the 9-2 Saints 31-3. The Chiefs now own a four-game lead with five to go.
In terms of the AFC playoff picture as a whole, all eyes turn to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Stay tuned throughout the week for more postgame coverage and analysis.
