Chiefs-Buccaneers: 5 things we learned from Week 9 overtime win

The Week 9 “Monday Night Football” matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into overtime and fought through perhaps the Chiefs' most entertaining game of the season.

In the final minutes of regulation, Kansas City's defense uncharacteristically failed to stop the ball, while other mistakes left the path open for Tampa Bay to tie the game.

Still, the Chiefs did far more good things than bad. In overtime, quarterback Patrick Mahomes managed to systematically move the team down the field and score the game-winning touchdown, leaving Kansas City undefeated by one point 30:24 victory.

Here are five things we learned.

1. DeAndre Hopkins is even better than we thought

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It's not just because he caught two touchdown passes from Mahomes. It is too How he caught them – and how he arranged them.

In the second quarter – trailing 7-3 – Mahomes had several pass rushers in his face. But he still threw a perfect pass over numerous Tampa defenders.

It was a throw and catch that only a select few in the world could actually execute. On one of his two touchdown receptions, Hopkins made another beautiful, contested catch.

It's not just that Hopkins is smart and knows when and where he should be. It's also the case that he's one of the elite at the catch point – with vice grips for hands. Mahomes has never had a player like him.

Rashee Rice is great for what he is: a freight train going downhill. Although not as physically strong as Rice, Hopkins is a human pogo stick who is simply allergic to dropped passes.

2. Kareem Hunt is better than we thought

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In the first half, Kansas City's offensive line struggled to keep Mahomes upright. Tampa Bay's interior pass rush prevailed at the line of scrimmage; it collected four sacks before halftime. In the second half, the Chiefs countered the Buccaneers' aggression by running the ball down their throats.

Hunt did more than did his part. He fought for every meter – and at times seemed downright explosive. Down the stretch (and in overtime), he was Kansas City's go-to guy when it came to keeping the ball moving and hitting it into the end zone.

Hunt has proven that he is still a workhorse in this league.

3. Games are won in the trenches

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The rain was likely one of the reasons the Chiefs ran the ball so effectively in the second half. But for much of the game, the Kansas City defense managed to stay home (and hit the quarterback) while rushing just four players.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs offensive line looked really ugly at times; Mahomes took more hits than we would have liked. Still, Kansas City was able to impose its will at the point of attack and open up lanes through which Hunt could move the ball.

It wasn't always pretty – but the Chiefs got the job done.

4. Mental errors can be costly for Kansas City

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As the clock ticked down to a third-and-11 in the fourth quarter, Mahomes scrambled out of the pocket and let fly a screen pass to running back Samaje Perine – who dropped the ball. This allowed the Buccaneers to save one of their timeouts and honor the two-minute warning.

On a second-and-1 with 19 seconds left in the game, tight end Travis Kelce allowed a would-be first down to slip through his fingers – and also allowed a fumble with just over a minute left in the first half .

Fortunately, the Chiefs were able to overcome these mistakes and keep their unbeaten streak alive.

5. Injuries can continue

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Kansas City fans have endured numerous injuries this season. When wide receiver Mecole Hardman was sidelined with a shoulder injury after a long punt return in the first quarter, I was a little upset that another player might be missing – but luckily Hardman returned to the field after only a short absence.

Then it got worse. On the same play in the third quarter, defensive end George Karlaftis and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton were both shaken up – but both were able to return.

And then things went a little too far. As Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Perine early in the fourth quarter, his rolled ankle, which he suffered in Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders, aggravated. For a few minutes it looked like he wouldn't return.

Our stomachs cramped – but luckily those feelings didn't last long. Mahomes was back on the next drive.