‘MNF’ takeaways: Questionable Todd Bowles decision costs Bucs in loss to Chiefs 

He didn’t miss any snaps and looked comfortable moving around following the injury. Still, any time the best player in football goes down, people will notice. And as important as he is to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations, we understand why.

DeAndre Hopkins is a perfect fit

It didn’t take long for Hopkins to establish a bond with Mahomes. In only his second game with the Chiefs, the three-time All-Pro had eight receptions, 86 yards and two touchdowns.

His best catch was on a third-and-8 in the second quarter. Hopkins caught the 35-yarder in a sea of Buccaneers defenders.

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, it had a 12.3 percent completion probability, the fourth-most unlikely reception in the league this season.

Hopkins capped the drive with his first touchdown as a Chief, followed by an incredible touchdown celebration inspired by the 2000 film “Remember The Titans.”

Tight end Travis Kelce had a regular-season career-high 14 receptions, showing why Mahomes isn’t the only one to benefit from the Hopkins addition.

Bucs will be a tough out in the NFC

Tampa Bay, without its top wide receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, showed a lot of fight in the overtime loss.

While the Bucs shouldn’t be interested in moral victories, they’re not out of the playoff hunt.

At 4-5 and 11th in the NFC, they have a long climb into the top seven of the conference, which can start in Week 10 against the 49ers (4-4). 

Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen should draw head-coaching interest

Tampa’s first-year offensive coordinator has impressed in his first season with the organization. 

Despite the offensive’s limitations against the Chiefs, Coen still put the Bucs in a position to succeed. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was 23-of-31 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, and the offense averaged five yards per carry.

After former offensive coordinator Dave Canales parlayed a successful one-year tenure in Tampa into the Panthers’ head-coaching job, Coen could follow a similar trajectory.

Always go for two late against the Chiefs

The Bucs may have won in regulation if not for a poor decision by head coach Todd Bowles.

Following a touchdown that cut Kansas City’s lead to 24-23 with 27 seconds left, Bowles elected against going for two and the win and instead played for overtime.

Against some teams, that strategy might work. But against the best, most clutch quarterback in football? We don’t think so.

Bowles put his team’s fate in the flip of a coin by playing for overtime. That decision might have cost Tampa Bay a win.