FOXBORO — The Patriots gave followers in attendance at Gillette Stadium not less than one entertaining half Sunday towards the Chiefs.
And that’s about all anybody might hope for this season whereas watching the now 3-11 Patriots after they misplaced their Week 15 matchup to the Chiefs 27-17.
The two groups traded missed area objectives within the first half as Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland’s season-long points proceed. Ryland was 1-of-2 on area objectives and 2-of-2 on additional factors as he made a 25-yarder and missed a 41-yarder. It wouldn’t be stunning if the group introduced in additional competitors for the 2023 fourth-round decide this week.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe was spectacular within the offensive sequence earlier than Ryland’s miss, connecting on six straight completions earlier than a facemask penalty on rookie vast receiver Demario Douglas and sack pushed the group again.
The Chiefs had been the primary group on the board after marching 69 yards down the sphere on 4 performs late within the first quarter. They hopped right into a time machine on their landing, working a single-wing as working again Jerick McKinnon shoveled the ball ahead to rookie vast receiver Rashee Rice for a 4-yard landing.
Both groups compelled three-and-outs earlier than the Patriots went on a 10-play, 61-yard touchdown-scoring drive. Zappe impressively threaded a needle between two Chiefs defenders to attach with tight finish Hunter Henry on his third landing seize within the final two weeks.
Patriots rookie security Marte Mapu jumped in entrance of tight finish Blake Bell on a goal from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the primary play of the Chiefs’ ensuing drive to offer Zappe the ball again at Kansas City’s 8-yard line.
Zappe related with Henry for an additional landing however the play was known as again on a holding penalty from left deal with Conor McDermott. The Patriots needed to accept Ryland’s 25-yard area objective because the Patriots took a 10-7 lead.
They held it for precisely 4 minutes and 10 seconds longer than anybody anticipated earlier than Mahomes led the Chiefs on an 11-play, 75-yard landing drive to take a 14-10 lead.
The Patriots introduced some pleasure early within the third quarter when cornerback Jonathan Jones compelled a fumble after a catch from Chiefs vast receiver Skyy Moore that security Jabrill Peppers recovered. Cornerback Alex Austin was flagged for holding on the play, nonetheless, so the takeaway was reversed.
The Chiefs completed their opening drive with a 29-yard area objective to increase their result in 17-10.
Zappe was intercepted on an unsightly throw on to Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay on the Patriots’ first play of their subsequent offensive sequence, giving KC the ball on the Patriots’ 7-yard line. Two performs later, working again Clyde Edwards-Helaire was in the long run zone on a 6-yard completion from Mahomes.
The Patriots gained simply 2 yards on 5 performs on their subsequent drive earlier than the Chiefs went 39 yards on six performs to kick one other area objective, making the rating 27-10.
The Patriots and Chiefs then punted on 5 consecutive sequence earlier than Mahomes was intercepted by linebacker Jahlani Tavai on a passing try that was dropped by vast receiver Kadarius Toney.
Running again Kevin Harris — elevated from the observe squad — scored on an 18-yard landing run in simply his third contact of the season to chop the Chiefs’ result in 27-17.
The Chiefs snapped their two-game shedding streak. It was simply the fourth time this season they’ve scored 27 or extra factors in a sport.
Zappe went 23-of-31 for 180 yards with a landing and interception. Mahomes was 27-of-37 for 305 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The normally stingy Patriots run protection held the Chiefs to simply 2.8 yards per carry. Left guard Cole Strange (knee), left deal with Conor McDermott (head) and tight finish Hunter Henry (knee) didn’t end the sport attributable to accidents.
In a silver lining for the Patriots, their probabilities to seize the No. 1 total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft improved with a Panthers win over the Falcons. The Panthers improved to 2-12 on the season.
BEST
S Marte Mapu: The rookie defender out of Sacramento State has been quiet this season, however he picked off Mahomes within the second quarter by leaping tight finish Blake Bell’s route.
DT Christian Barmore: The Patriots’ defensive position was stout towards the Chiefs’ speeding assault. Barmore prolonged his group lead together with his 5.fifth sack on the season.
TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight finish suffered an damage when he was minimize down on the legs on an incomplete go. He caught seven passes on 9 targets for 66 yards with a landing earlier than leaving the sport.
LB Jahlani Tavai: One of the Patriots’ finest defenders this season, Tavai picked off Mahomes on a drop from Chiefs vast receiver Kadarius Toney.
WORST
ST Brenden Schooler: The second-year professional is a core particular groups participant who has been penalized 5 instances now this season. A holding penalty negated a 46-yard kick return from Jalen Reagor, who appeared harmful after taking up the position from Ty Montgomery.
Injuries: It felt like trainers had been popping out to are likely to Patriots gamers on each drive. Cornerback Jonathan Jones, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, particular teamer Matthew Slater and edge defender Anfernee Jennings additionally received banged up.
CB Alex Austin: The Patriots made cornerback J.C. Jackson energetic and Shaun Wade inactive, however Jackson was by no means noticed on the sideline. That led to extra enjoying time for Austin, a rookie, who was penalized for unlawful arms to the face and holding.
QB Bailey Zappe: It was a story of two halves for Zappe, who was picked off on an unsightly passing try with three Chiefs gamers round Henry.
Source: www.bostonherald.com