After playing without some of their stars for a couple of weeks, the Bucs got a host of them back for Sunday night’s marquee matchup against the Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium. But what should’ve been a triumphant return became a disastrous night as Kansas City dominated and rolled to a 41-31 victory.

The night couldn’t have started any worse for Tampa Bay, as rookie Rachaad White fumbled on the opening kickoff to set Kansas City’s offense up with a first down at the 21-yard line. Two plays later, Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce for a 16-yard touchdown to give the visitors an early lead.

The Bucs responded with a drive that ended in a 45-yard field goal from Ryan Succop, which got them within 7-3. But the Chiefs’ offense built on its lead with a methodical drive, showing early signs that it would be a long night for the Tampa Bay defense.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mahomes marched the Chiefs 79 yards in 12 plays and 6:11, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire finishing the drive by scoring from three yards out. And it wasn’t long before he found the end zone again, as Kansas City went 82 yards in 11 plays and 5:52 after a Bucs three-and-out. Mahomes managed to avoid pressure and scrambled to the line of scrimmage before lobbing a pass to Edwards-Helaire for a two-yard score. Just like that, the Chiefs led 21-3 with 11:26 to go in the first half.

Needing a touchdown in the worst way, the Buccaneer offense went aerial. Brady found White for gains of 11 and 10 on the drive and hit Mike Evans for 30 and Cameron Brate for 11 in between. Then, Tampa Bay broke through. Brady found Evans for a 13-yard touchdown pass, getting the team within 21-10.

It was then up to Todd Bowles’ defense to finally get a stop. And despite the Chiefs extending their hot start on third downs to a 6-for-6 mark, the unit got the stop it needed. Keanu Neal came flying in for a third-down stop, then Edwards-Helaire dropped a fourth-down pass to turn it over on downs.

The Bucs suddenly had momentum, only they didn’t hold onto it for long. On the first play of the ensuing possession, L’Jarius Sneed came flying in on a corner blitz to sack Brady, knocking the ball loose. Chris Jones recovered, setting Kansas City up in the red zone. Five plays later, the visitors’ lead was 28-10.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

But just when it looked like the Bucs were out of it, they showed some life again. Brady diced up the Kansas City defense on the next drive and eventually got the offense inside the red zone with a 16-yard pass to Evans on third down. Then, after Brate drew a pass interference call in the end zone, Brady connected with Evans for another touchdown. Just before halftime, Tampa Bay was within 28-17.

The Chiefs slowly put the Bucs away in the third quarter. After Matthew Wright connected on a 44-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half, Kansas City got a stop and another score. Mahomes found Jody Fortson for a 10-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 65-yard drive that extended the lead to 38-17 with 5:42 left in the third.

Tampa Bay’s offense continued to respond, with a heavy dose of Evans and Rachaad White on the next possession. Rookie tight end Ko Kieft also made his first first career catch on the drive, and it went for 19 yards to the Kansas City 4-yard line. A few plays later, White punched it in for his first career touchdown.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Bucs CB Carlton Davis III and OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The defense just couldn’t muster up enough stops to get the Bucs back in it, though. Another field goal drive got the Chiefs’ lead back to 17 with 10:47 to go.

A late Sean Murphy-Bunting interception of Mahomes then led to a quick scoring drive that ended with a Brady touchdown pass to Leonard Fournette, but the Bucs were kept at arm’s length from there. Kansas City finished things off to win 41-31.

Brady finished the night 39-of-52 for 385 yards and three touchdowns, though he had a costly fumble. Evans led the way for the receivers, catching eight passes for 103 yards and two scores. Two fumbles made a difference, but the Tampa Bay defense allowing Kansas City to go 12-of-17 on third down was the real killer. The Chiefs posted 417 yards, with 189 of them coming on the ground. On the other side, the Bucs finished with just three rushing yards.

The Bucs (2-2) return to Raymond James Stadium next Sunday for an NFC South matchup against the Falcons (2-2). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.