Mahomes, at the half, was 25-for-33, 359 yards and two touchdown passes, both to Hill, who finished the half with eight catches for 210 yards. Both players were on track to break some long-standing records for passing and receiving.

It was Rob Gronkowski who put the team on his shoulders to start the second half. A tough catch over the middle for a first down, then a 48-yard reception down the right sideline set the Bucs up with a first and goal. This time, the Chiefs' defense stiffened, and held Tampa to a 26-yard Ryan Succop field goal that cut the Kansas City lead to 20-10.

After that score, Hill's third touchdown of the game also victimized Carlton Davis to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive that at that point, and made it look as if the Bucs were done for the night.

But Tampa Bay still had some chances to try and get back in the game, but on back-to-back drives, Brady threw interceptions. The second pick was by Tyrann Mathieu on a Brady pass that deflected off a Chief's helmet.

The Chiefs could not get anything going after Hill's third touchdown, going three-and-out on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter. And the Bucs finally took advantage after the second punt, scoring on a 31-yard touchdown from Brady to Mike Evans on a fourth-and-three, closing the gap to 10.

Kansas City, though, is like a cat that plays with and tortures a mouse for a while before going for the kill, and that's what they tried to do after the Bucs' score, taking advantage of a major Tampa Bay miscue on a 3rd-and-17. Mahomes scrambled around and threw the ball up for grabs, being picked off by Sean Murphy-Bunting. However, on the play, Jason Pierre-Paul hit Mahomes in the head after Mahomes threw the ball, giving the Chiefs an extra set of downs.

But back-to-back holding calls knocked the Chiefs out of field-goal range, and the Chiels were forced to punt again. However, the drive lasted 6:23, knocking precious time off the clock.

Brady got the ball with 6:21 left, and Brady being Brady, Bucs fans were hoping for another one of his patented comebacks. The Bucs got some help on this drive, as Brady was hit in the head by Frank Clark after an incomplete pass, and Clark again roughed Brady after a completion to Chris Godwin, that put the ball inside the Chiefs' 10. And on the next play, the Bucs cut the Kansas City lead to three on a seven-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans with 4:10 remaining.

But the Chiefs were able to secure three first downs to run out the clock at the end of the game.

Mahomes finished 37 of 49 for 462 yards and three touchdowns, all to Hill, who ended up with 13 catches for 269 yards.

Brady was 27 of 41 for 345 yards, three touchdownsand two interceptions. Gronkowski led the team in receiving yards, with 106 yards on six catches, while Chris Godwin led the tBucs with eight catches for 97 yards.

Tampa Bay has a bye next week, and will return on Sunday, Dec. 13 to host the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Photos Courtesy: Getty Images

Best Noles Coverage

About Best Noles Coverage