Against the Buccaneers, the Chiefs’ third-down offense was elite

In Week 9, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 on "Monday Night Football" on GEHA Field Arrowhead Stadium.

While it was a narrow overtime victory, Kansas City's offensive domination on third down drove the win. The team converted 12 of 18 third-down attempts, in which quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 11 for 13 with three touchdown passes.

In the game's most critical downs, the Chiefs flexed their new offensive muscles.

Finding the next man Before a primetime audience, Tampa Bay gave extra attention to Kansas City's big playmakers: tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Xavier Worthy. On critical downs, this opened opportunities for players like wideout Justin Watson.

On this play — with Worthy running a vertical route and Hopkins on an out route — the defense reacts accordingly by taking away the outside and having two defenders fall deep to cover Worthy. On the opposite side, Kelce stays in to block — but then releases late, which holds another linebacker and opens the middle for Watson. The Buccaneers throw a "coffee house" look at Mahomes, but he doesn't flinch. He releases the pass to Watson on time to easily convert the third down.

Watson finished the game with three catches for 43 yards. Two of them were on third downs.

Kansas City also used its new downfield talent — and a little improvisation from Mahomes — to find opportunities for others.

Here, we see Hopkins motion across the formation, which draws the defense's attention. He and Kelce run a high-low concept that pulls multiple defenders with it. Running back Samaje Perine then leaks out of the backfield. Everything is covered, so Mahomes takes off — hoping to make something happen. The flat defender covering Perine (and one of the safeties) fly toward Mahomes — and at the last second, he flips the ball to Perine for a touchdown.

Initially, the defense covered this play perfectly — but Mahomes turned it into an absolute backbreaker on third down.

Mahomes to Hopkins The game's most electric moments came when Mahomes was able to find Hopkins on third downs, showing the instant chemistry between them — and the ability to change games.

On this third-and-long, the Buccaneers are playing zone coverage to guard the line to gain. Before the snap, Kelce motions right, entering a bunch formation with Hopkins and Worthy. Worthy clears out space by running a deep route that draws the attention of the high safety and cornerback. Kelce runs an out-route — taking away the flat defender — while Hopkins runs an in-route to the sticks.

When his route ends, Hopkins will have a chance for a reception — but pressure forces Mahomes to improvise. After a brief hesitation, Hopkins spots an opening and takes off to exploit it. Mahomes also sees it, firing a near-impossible throw. With defenders closing in, Hopkins makes a phenomenal diving catch to put the Chiefs inside the 5-yard line.

With his size and length, Hopkins gives the Kansas City offense something it has not had in quite some time — and the place it helps the most is the red zone. The play showcased how deadly the latest version of the Kansas City offense could be — and set the stage for Mahomes to find Hopkins in the end zone.

On this third-and-goal, the Chiefs again use pre-snap motion to give the defense some eye candy. Initially, Hopkins slow-plays his route — but as the defense moves to cover Kelce over the middle and Hunt in the flat, Hopkins waits until he has inside leverage before breaking inside. Mahomes manipulates the defense with his head — and then fires a bullet to Hopkins for six points.

This would not be the only time the duo would find the end zone on third down.

With Hopkins alone on the left side, Tampa Bay covers him with a single cornerback who appears to be expecting Hopkins to make an acrobatic catch on a fade route to the end zone. Hopkins quickly jabs outside — but then turns back in on a slant, creating just enough separation to allow Mahomes to fire a touchdown pass.

Hopkins finished the game with eight catches. The three most important ones came on third downs where he either scored or put the team in a position to score.

Finishing strong After the Buccaneers' late rally, the game went into overtime. Kansas City won the coin toss, putting together a marvelously physical drive to win the game. There was only one third down — and it would end up being the winning play.

This time, the Chiefs elect to keep it on the ground. With an extra lineman on the field, Kansas City aligns in an offset-I formation to run power to the right side. Carson Steele is the lead blocker, while Joe Thuney pulls around to take on the filling linebacker. The double team gets enough movement, allowing Hunt to blast into the end zone.

It was a fitting way for the Chiefs to close out the game.