Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shook off a late injury scare as his team won 30-24 in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continuing their undefeated start to the season.
Mahomes threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while running back Kareem Hunt claimed a game-winning two-yard touchdown to lift the Chiefs, playing at home, to 8-0.
Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner, had rolled his ankle in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week and was limping again after escaping pressure to send a touchdown pass to Samaje Perine, leaving the Chiefs early were level at 17-17. in the fourth quarter.
The 29-year-old needed help getting to the sideline, but after treatment he returned to hit DeAndre Hopkins on a five-yard touchdown pass that put the reigning Super Bowl champions up 24-17 with four minutes remaining and 17 seconds to go.
Tampa Bay responded when quarterback Baker Mayfield controlled the play, leading to a Ryan Miller touchdown and when the Bucs opted not to go for a two-point conversion and the lead, the extra-point kick tied the score at 24-24.
Kansas City’s final drive in regulation went nowhere, but they got the ball to start overtime, with Mahomes leading them to the winning score as the Bucs suffered a fourth loss in their past five games.
Mahomes downplayed his ankle injury after the game and said he expected to be ready when the Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
“You always fear the worst,” he said. “But as I got some time, it started to feel better. We have a short week, but we’ll get it right and I’ll be ready to go next week.”
