Chiefs’ Andy Reid wasn’t surprised Bucs head coach Todd Bowles didn’t go for two

Not many players gave the Buccaneers a chance in their primetime Monday Night Football game against the Chiefs in Kansas City, but the team was able to claw its way into the fourth quarter, with the offense finding a groove to tie the game and to enforce extensions. The Bucs would ultimately lose the toss and the Chiefs rode off the field in typical Chiefs fashion to walk away with a 30-24 win.

A lot of things could have cost the Bucs a win in this game, from penalties that shouldn’t have been called, penalties that should have been called and then the questionable decision by head coach Todd Bowles who opted to tie the game instead from going ahead. the two-point conversion and the win. That decision by Bowles has been questioned by everyone as it would give Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs a chance to win the game at home.

READ MORE: 3 up, 3 down in Bucs’ heartbreaking OT loss to Chiefs

After the loss, Bowles cited it again as a reason not to go for two from two yards out, which seemed like a bit of a cop-out considering the team had just driven the length of the field to score the touchdown. Bowles’ counterpart, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, was asked at his post-game press conference if he was surprised Bowles didn’t go for two in that situation, and he gave a curt answer: “No… but I’m glad he didn’t do that.”

It’s telling that one of the greatest head coaches to ever walk on a football field said he wasn’t shocked by Bowles’ decision. Bowles, who is typically aggressive when calling defenses, has become synonymous with not being aggressive as a head coach when the situation calls for it, and here we are again.

Bowles had three options after scoring the last-second touchdown, only one of which made sense on the road against the defending NFL champions.

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington has captured the situation nicely here:

READ MORE: ‘Obviously false start’… Controversial missed call leaves Bucs fans furious after tough loss to Chiefs

The clear answer for most would be option one. Whether you get the two-point conversion or not, most wouldn’t have blamed you for making the decision given the situation you were in. Bowles didn’t choose that route and instead decided to leave it to chance.

That won’t work going forward, and with how things have gone in recent months, the focus on Bowles as head coach is once again under the microscope as the Bucs will face the 49ers before reaching their bye week.

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