Todd Bowles gives strange reason for not going for 2 against Chiefs

Dec 3, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles takes the field for warms ups before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a chance to take a lead over the Kansas City Chiefs with barely any time remaining in Monday night’s game, but Todd Bowles opted to send the game to overtime instead. The coach offered a questionable explanation for the decision.

The Buccaneers were trailing 24-17 when Baker Mayfield led a 70-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. With just 27 seconds remaining in the game, Bowles chose to kick the extra point rather than going for two and the win.

Bowles told reporters after the game that he felt playing for overtime was best because of the weather conditions.

“We wanted to get it to overtime,” Bowles said. “With the wet conditions on the field, we felt like we had to go into overtime instead of going for two. We had our shots and we lost the game.”

Video: Todd Bowles said he gave “very minor” thought to going for two after the late touchdown. Cited wet field conditions, thought they could win in overtime. pic.twitter.com/uR67NorVnA

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 5, 2024

The weather conditions did not stop Mayfield from putting together a game-tying touchdown drive, so many felt Bowles should have given his team the opportunity to win. It is also risky to attempt an extra point in wet conditions.

Bowles also might have meant that he trusted the Bucs to get the win in overtime because of the field conditions. Either way, the call led to a great deal of criticism.