Chiefs build halftime lead and never look back, Patriots come up short for second straight loss, 23-16
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Chiefs build a 13-point halftime lead and the Patriots, despite gaining momentum in the second half, didn’t have enough to come back in a 23-16 loss. The defeat, their second in a row and third in five games, drops the Pats to 10-3 on the season.
The Patriots’ recent offensive woes continued in the first half of the game, despite a good start. They grabbed the first points of the game off a Julian Edelman touchdown on a flea-flicker.
But the Chiefs scored 23 unanswered points after that as the Pats offense stalled. First Patrick Mahomes hit Mecole Hardman for a 48-yard touchdown. Then the Chiefs took advantage of a Tom Brady interception with a direct snap to Travis Kelce, who kept it on the option play and rumbled into the end zone. Harrison Butker’s three field goals got them to the point total they needed.
The Patriots got some momentum back in the second half thanks to a blocked punt by special teamer Nate Ebner, which set up a Brandon Bolden touchdown. They had a chance for another TD and appeared to get it with rookie receiver N’Keal Harry, but the officials made a phantom call that Harry was out of bounds to rob him of the score. Jakobi Meyers also appeared to catch a touchdown, but that was also ruled incomplete.
On fourth-and-3 from the 5-yard line and the score at 23-16, Brady’s pass intended for Edelman in the end zone was broken up by Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland. That essentially sealed the game for the Chiefs at that point.
Up Next: The Patriots have to regroup after two consecutive losses to top AFC contenders. They have a chance to get right against the 1-12 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
