Chiefs reach 8-0 with nail-biter against the Bucs, a game neatly summing up a season of close wins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The entirety of the Kansas City Chiefs' season at the midway point could be summed up by their performance Monday night against Tampa Bay.

They had their miscues, their turnovers, their blown tackles on defense, and they allowed a team they were expected to beat easily hang around to the end of regulation.

Then they won anyway.

The Buccaneers gave Patrick Mahomes and Co. one more chance in overtime, after they elected to kick the PAT and tie the game after their touchdown with 27 seconds left, and the Chiefs promptly scored a TD of their own for a 30-24 victory.

That improved the Chiefs to 8-0, making them just the sixth defending Super Bowl champion to reach that mark unbeaten, and they have done it by the slimmest of margins. Kansas City is winning by an average of 7.0 points per game, the smallest margin of victory by nearly half a point of the 41 teams in NFL history that have won their first eight games.

The previous low was 7.4 points, set by the Colts in 2006. They went on to win the Super Bowl.

“Against a team with an offense like that,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said, “you can only give them so many chances.”

More specifically, you can only give Mahomes so many chances.

The two-time NFL MVP had played a pedestrian first seven games, throwing a pick in each of them. But with three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins suddenly at his disposal, courtesy of a trade with the Titans, Mahomes was back to slinging the ball all over the field. He threw for 291 yards and three TDs against the Bucs, with Hopkins getting two of them.

“Pat and I just out there making plays,” Hopkins said afterward.

Just as he's done so many times with so many wide receivers.

Indeed, Mahomes looked like his vintage self against Tampa Bay, rallying the Chiefs on two long fourth-quarter TD drives to take the lead with 4:17 to go, despite playing on a sore ankle. And when Mayfield and the Bucs forced overtime with their touchdown in the final minute, Mahomes was 5 for 5 in the extra session, setting up Kareem Hunt's winning touchdown plunge.

Mahomes improved to 47-19 in games decided by a touchdown or less, including playoffs. The only QB better with at least 30 games on his resume is Daryle Lamonica, who went 24-5-6 during a 12-year career with Buffalo and Oakland.

Yet Mahomes is the first to point out that all those wins are a team effort. The Chiefs defense continues to be one of the best in the NFL, especially against the run, while Hunt's arrival has allowed them to keep some semblance of offensive balance.

The result has been a perfect start to their pursuit of an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title.

The Chiefs' passing game has finally hit its stride, thanks largely to Hopkins, who had eight catches for 86 yards in only his second game with Kansas City. Even when he wasn't catching passes Monday night, the Buccaneers were forced to pay attention to him, and that freed up Travis Kelce to catch 14 passes — his most in a regular-season game — for 100 yards.

The Chiefs have struggled all season to cover tight ends, beginning in Week 1 with Baltimore's Isaiah Likely right through Tampa Bay's Cade Otton on Monday night. Otton finished with eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Chiefs cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace has quietly excelled when pressed into duty following an injury to Jaylen Watson that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Nazeeh Johnson also has been missing while in the concussion protocol.

The Chiefs expected first-round pick Xavier Worthy to be a bit boom-or-bust as a rookie, and lately the speedster has been more bust than boom. He carried twice for minus-10 yards and failed to catch either of his targets against Tampa Bay. Worthy has only had more than three catches or eclipsed 47 yards receiving once through the first eight games.

Mahomes tweaked his ankle against Tampa Bay but finished the game, and WR Mecole Hardman (shoulder), DE George Karlaftis (hip) and DE Turk Wharton (right knee) also played through minor injuries. The Chiefs hope to get Johnson back this week, while it is beginning to look promising that RB Isiah Pacheco (fractured fibulas) could return at some point this season.

30 — The Chiefs, once known for their prolific offense, scored 30 points on Monday night — albeit needing overtime to do it — for the first time since beating the Raiders 31-17 on Nov. 26, 2023.

The Chiefs get a rare noon kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium when they play the AFC West-rival Denver Broncos next Sunday.

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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) celebrates a defensive play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates a first down reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate a touchdown and win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) celebrates a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field after a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Auckland was the first major city to ring in 2026 with a fireworks display launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, followed by a defiant celebration in Australia in the aftermath of its worst mass shooting.

South Pacific countries were the first to bid farewell to 2025. Clocks stuck midnight in Auckland 18 hours before the famous ball drop in New York’s Times Square. The five-minute display involved 3,500 fireworks.

Australia’s east coast welcomed 2026 two hours after New Zealand. In Sydney, the country's largest city, celebrations were held under the pall of Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years. Two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15 and wounding 40.

A heavy police presence monitored the thousands who thronged to the waterfront to watch a fireworks show centered on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the annual event.

An hour before midnight, the massacre victims were commemorated with a minute of silence while images of a menorah were projected on the bridge pylons. The crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged Sydney residents not to stay away through fear, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds at New Year’s Eve festivities as a victory.

“We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime and say that we’re not going to be cowered by this kind of terrorism,” he said.

In Indonesia, one of Australia’s nearest neighbors, cities scaled back festivities as a gesture of solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides that struck parts of Sumatra island a month ago, claiming more than 1,100 lives.

The capital, Jakarta, was not ringing in 2026 with its usual fanfare, choosing subdued celebrations with a program centered on prayers for victims, city Gov. Pramono Anung said last week.

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin urged residents of one of Indonesia’s largest cities to forgo parties, calling for prayer and reflection. "Empathy and restraint are more meaningful than fireworks and crowds,” he said.

Concerts and fireworks on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali were canceled and replaced with a cultural arts event featuring traditional dances.

Hong Kong, too, was ringing in 2026 without the usual spectacle in the sky over iconic Victoria Harbor, after a massive fire in November killed at least 161 people.

The facades of eight landmarks were turning into giant countdown clocks presenting a three-minute light show at midnight.

Many parts of Asia welcome the new year by observing age-old traditions.

In Japan, crowds were gathering at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo for a bell striking at midnight. In the South Korean capital, Seoul, a bell tolling and countdown ceremony were being held at the Bosingak Pavilion.

Tourists and Berliners alike marked the end of 2025 by enjoying snowfall, taking selfies and making snowmen in front of the German capital's cathedral and the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin TV Tower was nearly invisible thanks to the falling flakes and fog.

Greece and Cyprus were ringing in 2026 by turning down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays in capital cities. Low-noise fireworks avoid the explosive bursts that generate the loud cracks of traditional displays.

Officials in the countries said the change is intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets, particularly animals sensitive to loud noise.

Police in New York City will have additional anti-terrorism measures at the Times Square ball drop, with “mobile screening teams” in search of suspicious activity. It is not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Zohran Mamdani will take office as mayor at the start of 2026. Two swearing-in ceremonies are planned, starting with a private ceremonial event around midnight in an old subway station.

Saaliq reported from New Delhi, India. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.

The police stand guard during the 2026 Taipei New Year's Party celebration in front of the Taipei City Government Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

People gather to celebrate the New Year at the Zojoji Buddhist temple, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A Buddhist prays in front of lanterns on New Year's Eve at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Swimmers enter the water during the traditional Sylvester swim at lake Moossee in Moosseedorf, Switzerland, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

A child poses for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac at a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A person walks by illuminated decorations on New Year's Eve in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora, hosts of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026," in New York at the New Year's Eve Times Square Ball on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

A vendor sells New Year's eve party goods at a market in downtown Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)

A families pose for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac as people visit a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A child poses for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac at a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)