There has been plenty of disappointing football played by the Bucs over the last month. Tampa Bay came into Monday night reeling, having lost three out of the previous four games. It did not get any easier for them heading to Kansas City looking to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season.

While they kept it close against an undefeated juggernaut and even sent it to overtime, it was not enough as they fell short, 30-24. Here is what was most disappointing as the team now sits below .500 at 4-5.

CB Josh Hayes

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and WR DeAndre Hopkins – Photo by: USA Today

Before the game, Josh Hayes discussed how he was excited and ready to get his first NFL start against the Chiefs. Safe to say, there were a few moments he would like to have back.

Early in the game, Hayes almost got embarrassed by Xavier Worthy as he got lost on the field and ran away from his assignment. The pass would be ruled incomplete as Worthy did not have both feet in bounds. While he was fortunate to not be responsible for that play, Hayes did allow a touchdown in the second quarter.

Patrick Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins in the end zone, with Hayes standing still and being badly beaten as he let Hopkins run his route and get wide-open for his first touchdown reception with his new team. It was a bad coverage bust all around, but the second-year cornerback failed to play with more anticipation.

In the fourth quarter, Hayes was beaten by Hopkins again. He was a step behind the slant route the veteran wide receiver ran, which resulted in a touchdown that gave them a 24-17 lead with less than five minutes left in the game.

Bucs’ Pass Defense

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead – Photo by: USA Today

Facing Patrick Mahomes is no easy task. Opposing defensive coordinators have had many sleepless nights game planning ways to stop him. Todd Bowles did not have many answers to stop Mahomes from distributing the football around. The two-time MVP’s accuracy was on point, as he completed 18 of 22 passes in the first half for 166 passing yards and a touchdown.

He finished the game completing 34 of his 44 passes for 291 passing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (eight catches for 86 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and tight end Travis Kelce (14 receptions for 100 receiving yards) did much of the damage, with the secondary and linebackers failing to contain them when they were targeted.

The rain was a big factor throughout the game, but that did not stop Kansas City from having an efficient night through the air. The middle of the field remained open for Kelce to sit and wait for the football from his star quarterback, while Hopkins appeared to be in vintage form in fresh threads.

Getting Off The Field On Third Down

The Bucs’ defense could not get a third-down stop all night.

Patrick Mahomes was nearly perfect, completing 11 of 12 passes on the money down. The Chiefs converted 12 of their 18 third downs on the night. That is inexcusable, especially in a game with little margin for error. It was a key factor in allowing their opponent to stay in the game and eventually rally back to get the lead and the win.

Offensive Line Penalties

Bucs OC Liam Coen and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

A handful of penalties across the offensive line held the offense back (pun intended). In the first half, right guard Cody Mauch was called for a big holding penalty that negated a Baker Mayfield first-down scramble up the middle on third-and-6.

In the second half, both right tackle Luke Goedeke (false start) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs (facemask) were penalized on a drive where the offense was looking to put points on the board and extend what was a 14-10 lead in the middle of the third quarter.

Wirfs’ facemask call turned a first-and-10 into a first-and-25 the team could not convert. Although the team managed to make it a 17-10 game on that drive, a touchdown would have really changed things the rest of the way.

ILBs Not Named Lavonte David

Lavonte David held down one inside linebacker spot on defense and played a solid game.

The other starting spot was a game of musical chairs.

Todd Bowles made the long-called-for decision to swap out K.J. Britt, subbing in both J.J. Russell and Vi Jones throughout the game. Whoever played among them failed to emerge as someone who should see the field more going forward.

Britt again showed warts in pass coverage, although he was among the best tacklers with nine total tackles. Russell and Jones contributed little when inserted into the game, and it appears that it will remain status quo at the position unless the team opts to make a move before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Following a game where Tampa Bay held its own for much of it, this should move them to bring in someone who could substantially upgrade the middle of the defense the rest of the way. If not, it does not look like there is an answer to solve the questionable play.