Chris Godwin Narrowly Missed a Touchdown on Buccaneers’ Hail Mary, and NFL Fans Were Stunned

The Tampa receiver was incredibly close to catching Baker Mayfield’s last-second heave.

The Buccaneers were inches away from pulling off a stunning upset of the Bills on Thursday Night Football. 

Baker Mayfield’s last-second Hail Mary attempt reached its target, but wide receiver Chris Godwin failed to locate the ball before it landed untouched in the end zone.

Had Godwin turned around and tracked the ball in time, he’d have had a legitimate shot at catching the ball for a touchdown, which would’ve tied the game with Tampa Bay trailing by six at the time. 

Mayfield did his job by throwing up a catchable ball, but amid a sea of bodies fighting for positioning in the end zone, Godwin was unable to come up with the football, which went right by his unsuspecting arms.

NFL fans were in disbelief after the Buccaneers’ nearly pulled off the play of the season, with some upset with Godwin for not hauling in the throw, while others were questioning whether a flag should’ve been called.

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

What in the world just happened?? Chris Godwin coulda just devastated Buffalo

— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@SpielbergerBrad) October 27, 2023

Chris Godwin was wide open for a game winning Hail Mary 😭😭😭

Bills should’ve lost again. pic.twitter.com/eoePzGTCf2

— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) October 27, 2023

The Bills would be 3-5 right now if the refs didn't miss Pl against Darren Waller and Chris Godwin didn't have an awareness rating of -10000 pic.twitter.com/1A3jtsoYhu

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 27, 2023

Chris Godwin narrow miss aside, see if you can count all the flags they could’ve thrown here 😂 #TBvsBUF pic.twitter.com/8HA5Aew2GF

— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) October 27, 2023

If Chris Godwin turns around 1 second earlier, he catches the first uncontested Hail Mary of all-time for the win.

— Sia Nejad (@SiaNejad) October 27, 2023

OMG Chris Godwin was right there. #Bucs

— Matt Matera (@matty4_matera) October 27, 2023

That was a perfect Hail Mary by Baker Mayfield

— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) October 27, 2023

Wow…Chris Godwin had that Hail Mary if he had seen it

— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) October 27, 2023

Hail Mary is also a broken play because the #Bills PI’d the entire play but refs are too scared to throw a flag on a hail mary…

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 27, 2023