The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came so close to becoming just the first team in the 2024 NFL regular season to take down the reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs. It was a thrilling matchup nonetheless at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium that ended with the Chiefs escaping with a 30-24 win via overtime – and an undefeated record through seven games.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Buccaneers showed nothing but class on social media.
“Nothing but respect,” read the Buccaneers’ post on X following another memorable football duel between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield.
The post also had photos of the postgame handshakes between the two signal-callers and another showing Mayfield and Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce.
The Buccaneers were on the verge of losing in regulation but scored a touchdown later in the fourth quarter that set the table for Chase McLaughlin’s game-tying extra-point kick. In overtime, Kareem Hunt ended the game with a two-yard run that punctuated a 10-play Chiefs drive.
Although the Buccaneers lost, Mayfield garnered respect for his gallant performance even without his top receivers, as both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are sidelined with injuries. Mayfield finished the game with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns against zero interceptions on 23-of-31 completions.
Mahomes, on the other hand, had 291 passing yards and three touchdowns with no picks thrown on 34-of-44 completed throws.
