KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a nail-biting finish, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were edged out by the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-24 overtime loss on Monday night.

Coach Todd Bowles faced scrutiny over his decision to kick an extra point rather than attempt a two-point conversion after a last-minute touchdown. With just 30 seconds left in regulation, Bowles chose to tie the game, aiming to shift momentum into overtime.

"We wanted to get into overtime with the wet conditions on the field. We believed it was the right choice instead of risking it all for two points," Bowles explained.

"We had our opportunities throughout the game, and ultimately we came up short."

The Bucs' defense struggled to maintain their lead,

allowing a 5-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to DeAndre Hopkins with 4:20 remaining. This gave the Chiefs a 24-17 advantage, but Baker Mayfield rallied his team back with an impressive 11-play drive resulting in a 1-yard touchdown to rookie receiver Ryan Miller. However, after scoring, Bowles opted for the extra point, allowing the game to go to overtime instead of taking the lead.

Controversially, ESPN Analytics supported the choice to opt for the extra point,

noting that other teams this season had faced similar dilemmas and lost. This season alone, four teams that scored late touchdowns decided against two-point conversions and all ended up losing their respective games.

After the decision,

Mayfield found himself frustrated when the Chiefs won the coin toss in overtime. "When you're against an offense like that, you can't afford to give them any extra chances," he remarked. He praised his teammates for stepping up under pressure but acknowledged that the team needed to recalibrate and find a way to break their current losing streak.

This defeat marked a continuation of the Bucs' struggles,

marking their third consecutive loss and dropping them below .500 for the first time this season at 4-5. Their challenges were exacerbated by injuries to key players; both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were sidelined from their recent game against the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, rookie Jalen McMillan was unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Tampa Bay has been no stranger to pressure,

having clinched the NFC South title for the last three years and famously defeating the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Yet, the struggles have left Bowles and the team with lots to ponder.

"It’s tough to swallow," Bowles said.

"We can’t become accustomed to losing. Despite the setbacks, we executed some good plays. We fought hard; unfortunately, it wasn’t enough."

Looking ahead,

the Buccaneers aim to bounce back in their next match-up against another NFC opponent at home. Bowles emphasized the importance of refocusing to turn their fortunes around. As the team struggles to regain their winning form, fans are left wondering if this iconic franchise can find its footing again.

Will the Bucs be able to turn things around?

Only time will tell as they prepare for their next challenge on the gridiron.