The Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged the Kansas City Chiefs 16-15 on Saturday, rallying late despite a historic 69-yard field goal from Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 16-15 on Aug. 22, overcoming a historic 69-yard field goal from Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker to improve to 2-0 in preseason play. The Chiefs fell to 0-2 despite Butker’s three field goals, which included makes from 45, 58, and 69 yards. A missed extra point by Butker proved decisive, as the Buccaneers rallied late behind backup quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Sean Tucker’s game-winning touchdown.
Chiefs’ Kicking Nightmare
Harrison Butker delivered one of the most memorable preseason performances in recent memory, drilling a 69-yard field goal that highlighted a three-for-three night from beyond 45 yards. But his missed extra point after Emmett Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run left the door open for Tampa Bay’s comeback. Butker’s late miss from long range also cost Kansas City a chance to seal the win, turning a potential statement night into a frustrating loss. The Chiefs’ offense, led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (9/17, 74 yards), managed just one touchdown, with Brashard Smith (6 carries, 37 yards) and Jalen Royals (6 receptions, 51 yards) providing the spark. Defensively, Felix Anudike-Uzomah recorded a sack, and DeShon Singleton led the team with 8 tackles.
Buccaneers’ Late Rally
Tampa Bay’s comeback was orchestrated by a pair of backup quarterbacks. Jake Browning was efficient, completing 8 of 11 passes for 84 yards, while Jalon Daniels engineered the decisive drive, finding Ko Kieft for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Sean Tucker’s 1-yard plunge with the game on the line sealed the victory. The Buccaneers’ defense also stepped up, with Anthony Nelson recording 1.5 sacks and Rashad Wisdom tallying 9 tackles. Dean Patterson led the receiving corps with 6 catches for 56 yards. The win keeps Tampa Bay perfect in the preseason, though they missed a two-point conversion attempt after Tucker’s touchdown, which kept the final margin at one point.
Turning Point: Butker’s Missed PAT
The game’s pivotal moment came midway through the fourth quarter when Harrison Butker, after drilling a 69-yard field goal earlier, pushed an extra point wide right following Emmett Johnson’s touchdown. That miss left the Chiefs ahead by just two points, 15-13, and gave the Buccaneers the opening they needed. Tampa Bay capitalized, driving for the go-ahead score and then holding on as Butker’s final attempt from long range fell short. The sequence turned a potential Chiefs victory into a dramatic Buccaneers win.
What It Means
For the Chiefs, the loss drops them to 0-2 in the preseason, but the bigger story is the health of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who remains listed as questionable. Mahomes has reportedly expressed interest in playing in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 29, a notable development as the regular season approaches. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, improved to 2-0 and will look to finish the preseason undefeated when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 28. Both teams have several players listed as questionable, and the final exhibition games will be crucial for roster decisions ahead of the 53-man cutdown.
Key Takeaways
- Harrison Butker’s 69-yard field goal was historic, but his missed extra point proved costly for the Chiefs.
- Sean Tucker’s 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Buccaneers the winning margin.
- Jake Browning and Jalon Daniels both impressed under center for Tampa Bay, adding depth to the quarterback room.
- The Chiefs’ 0-2 preseason record is a concern, but the focus shifts to Patrick Mahomes’ potential preseason debut.
- Both teams face injury concerns, with multiple starters listed as questionable ahead of the regular season.
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