The Bucs came into Monday night looking to pull off a huge upset win over the undefeated Chiefs. With questions growing about when Tampa Bay would next enter the win column, they almost pulled off an unlikely victory.

But after sending it to overtime, the defense allowed the game-winning touchdown, resulting in a 30-24 loss. Despite another defeat, there were some positive moments and performances that highlight this week’s most impressive list.

Bucs’ Two-Minute Offense

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Down 24-17 with 2:26 left in the game, the Bucs needed to move the ball 71 yards and score to tie things up in regulation. The offense pulled it off, and it was a collective effort with the wide receivers stepping up when they needed to. Before the two-minute warning, Baker Mayfield connected with Rachaad White and Trey Palmer to get 22 yards.

He then connected with Sterling Shepard for 18, 9, and 7-yard gains on three of his next four completions. Running no-huddle with less than a minute to go, Mayfield found Palmer again for a 19-yard gain to get them down to the 1-yard line.

Who scored the game-tying touchdown with 27 seconds to go?

Reserve wideout Ryan Miller. Miller, an undrafted free agent, hauled in the 1-yard pass from the goal line to send the game into overtime. It was a job well done by Baker Mayfield leading the troops down the field and his reserve weapons for their sure hands in the rain.

DT Vita Vea

It did not take long for Vita Vea to make his presence known in primetime.

The big nose tackle made a big play early on, sacking quarterback Patrick Mahomes on third-and-8 of the Chiefs’ opening drive that forced them out of field goal range. Vea stuck with it and overpowered two-time Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey.

With his fourth sack of the season, he became the Bucs’ leading sacker. In the second quarter, he extended his lead by getting his fifth sack of the year. He now has three consecutive seasons of five-plus sacks, which is notable as many nose tackles do not have such acumen for taking down quarterbacks. It was a boon for Tampa Bay’s defense that the big guy came ready to play and recorded nine total tackles. He was a disruptor all night long.

DB Tykee Smith

With Tykee Smith returning to action after suffering a concussion against the Ravens, the Bucs defense got back one of its biggest playmakers just in time for this tough matchup. Smith has already shown an aptitude for forcing turnovers, and just before halftime, he knocked the ball loose from tight end Travis Kelce and cornerback Josh Hayes recovered.

In just eight games, Smith has forced three fumbles. The third-round pick has already proven to be a key contributor and a do-it-all player. He also finished with nine total tackles.

Drafting him looks like a hit.

TE Cade Otton

Cade Otton continues to make plays – even though his mustache is gone. While Baker Mayfield was not happy to learn of this development, he surely was happy to see Otton haul in his fourth touchdown in the last four games, which gave the team a lead early in the third quarter.

Otton has quickly emerged over the last few weeks as the wide receiver corps has been decimated by injury and not as lethal as it was to start the year. In a surprising turn, he has stepped up and looked the part of a solid No. 1 tight end the team can rely on to make plays. He led the team with eight receptions for 77 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Otton is already on pace to have a career year, and it does not look like he will be slowing down any time soon.

DT Calijah Kancey

Vita Vea was not the only big guy to play well. Calijah Kancey had a big coming-out party of his own as he also notched two sacks in this one. Kancey’s second takedown of Patrick Mahomes was crucial in swinging the momentum Tampa Bay’s way, as he chased him down on third-and-10 to wrap him up for a 12-yard loss to force a three-and-out.

OLB Yaya Diaby

There was a moment of concern for Yaya Diaby after he was briefly down on the field following a pressure on Patrick Mahomes that led to Vita Vea getting his second sack of the night. Diaby returned to the game and was a big factor in the defense’s bounce-back game.

He had two tackles for loss, which included taking down wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a loss of 10 yards on a designed end-around. He did not get a sack but did his part in closing the pocket and forcing the issue.