Watch: Bucs WR had no idea how close he was to game-ending Hail Mary

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Buccaneers wide receiver had no idea how close he was to game-ending Hail Mary

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/27/23

All Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had to do was turn around and look up a split second sooner.

Had he done so, he would have been perfectly positioned to catch what could have been a game-winning Hail Mary pass as time expired in his team's 24-18 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.

The game came down to one final play as Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield heaved the ball 60 yards into the end zone on a desperation play. In a weird twist, the ball hit the ground without being touched by any of the players that had converged in the end zone. It was Godwin that was closest and he had absolutely no idea where the ball was as it landed.

Have a look.

Chris Godwin could've had this Bucs hail mary if he turned around in time.

The Bills hang on, 24-18. #TNF pic.twitter.com/be7oh9Q8Mf
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 27, 2023

Take a look from another angle and slowed down. He was right there with a clear path.

Sure looks like Chris Godwin had a shot at this Hail Mary if he turned around.

This was actually really close.pic.twitter.com/TBwL4FgmsG
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2023

Of course, the other aspect of this play is that there were probably about two or three uncalled pass interference penalties taking place in the end zone. But it would take something far more egregious than anything seen there to draw a penalty in that situation. Referees are simply not going to decide a game in that spot no matter what is happening.

Still, even with all of that Godwin was closer to hauling in a game-winning pass than he ever could have realized. So close yet so far for the Buccaneers.

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