Follow along below as the Patriots take on the Chiefs with live score updates, highlights, and instant analysis.
Live Updates: Patriots-Chiefs
— Q4, 3:18: Jarrett Stidham takes a deep shot down the field to try and get the Patriots some much-needed points. Unfortunately it’s too high and it’s intercepted by Rashad Fenton. Chiefs take over with a chance to clock the game out.
— Q4, 8:48: Another self-inflicted mistake has really put the Patriots behind the 8-ball now. Jarrett Stidham’s first pass attempt on the first play of the drive clangs off Julian Edelman’s hands and right into the hands of Tyrann Mathieu, who has an easy pick-six. It’s now 26-10 Chiefs.
— Q4, 8:57: The Chiefs have finally found their offensive rhythm, but this time they got help. An ill-timed pass interference flag on Kyle Dugger on third-and-10 gave the Chiefs a first down, and an unnecessary roughness flag on Deatrich Wise gave them another 15 yards. Just a few plays later, Mecole Hardman takes the drop-off pass from Mahomes and runs it into the end zone. Butker’s extra point is no good, but it’s now 19-10 Chiefs.
— Q4, 13:45: Patriots still with plenty of life. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs capitalized on Brian Hoyer’s strip-sack fumble with a quick-strike touchdown drive, but the Patriots answered with Jarrett Stidham in at quarterback. A big pass interference flag on Tyrann Mathieu set up first-and-goal, and on third down Stidham floats a nice ball to N’Keal Harry, who adjusts his body well and makes the catch. It’s 13-10 Chiefs.
— Q3, 3:52: Once again, Brian Hoyer costs the Patriots points in the red zone. This time he holds onto the ball too long on third down and loses the football on a strip-sack by Taco Charlton. Hoyer’s situational football has a chance to be the main reason the Patriots lose this game. They’ve still held the Chiefs to only six points. They should have at least a 9-6 lead, if not for their quarterback’s unacceptable mistakes.
— Q3, 11:09: Pats and Chiefs exchange defensive stops to begin the third quarter. Brian Hoyer’s third-down deep ball attempt for Damiere Byrd is way off the mark. On the ensuing Chiefs possession, Lawrence Guy drops Clyde Edwards-Helaire behind the line on second down and
— Halftime: Chiefs 6, Patriots 3. Brian Hoyer took a very bad sack on the final play of the half. All he had to do was throw the ball away out of bounds once he had no options, and it was a chip-shot field goal. Hoyer popped up and tried to call a timeout, so he clearly didn’t know the Pats were out of them. Egregious situational football by Hoyer, who was supposed to be in that game because he wouldn’t make those kinds of mistakes. Overall, an encouraging half for the Patriots defense, who held the Chiefs to just six points. But offensively, the Pats are going to need a real spark.
— Q2, 2:00 Patriots are threatening at the two-minute warning. N’Keal Harry has two catches on the current drive, one of which converted a third-and-6.
— Q2, 5:36: Bizarre sequence for the officials. The Patriots get a stop against Patrick Mahomes, but on third down it looked like Mahomes fumbled the ball into the hands of Shilique Calhoun. But the officials ruled a sack with Mahomes in the grasp, and whistled the play dead. Bill Belichick was rightfully furious that they didn’t let the play go and then review it afterward. It should have been a turnover for the Patriots in Chiefs territory, but instead the Chiefs were allowed to punt.
— Q2, 9:31: The Patriots have their first promising drive of the game, but it ends in a field goal. A nice third-down play by Gunner Olszewski and big runs by Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead march the Pats into Chiefs territory. But N’Keal Harry can’t make the play on third down and so the Patriots have to settle for a Nick Folk field goal. It’s 6-3 Chiefs in the second.
— Q2, 12:46: Gunner Olszewski makes an outstanding play to corral a deflected ball on third down intended for Julian Edelman, and he picks up the first down. The Chiefs challenged that he wasn’t down by contact at the catch and won, resulting in a reduction of yardage but still a first down.
— Q2, 14:45: Stephon Gilmore makes a great play to punch the ball out on Sammy Watkins, and J.C. Jackson recovers the fumble. Patriots get the ball right back.
— Q1, 0:13: Brian Hoyer throws an interception on his first pass attempt of the Patriots’ third possession. His throw over the middle intended for Ryan Izzo was way too high. Hoyer’s throws have been consistently high to start the game. If he can’t figure that out soon, the Patriots might want to consider a change at quarterback.
— Q1, 0:22: The defense is giving the Patriots a chance. After Mahomes quickly drives the Chiefs into Patriots territory, the defense comes up with a very strong series to hold them to another field goal. First Mahomes is forced out of bounds, then Ja’Whaun Bentley breaks up a scramble-pass intended for Darrel Williams, and then the Pats have strong coverage and Mahomes has nowhere to go with the ball on third down. Harrison Butker’s second FG attempt is good though, so its 6-0 Chiefs.
— Q1, 4:45: Patriots pick up a first down for the first time in the game, as rookie WR Isaiah Zuber takes a reverse for eight yards. The drive stalls out again, unfortunately, as Brian Hoyer can’t connect with Damiere Byrd on third down. Patriots punt again, but Jake Bailey pins the Chiefs down at their own 4-yard line.
— Q1, 8:51: The Patriots get a quick defensive stop to answer the Chiefs. Mahomes’ deep throw to Tyreek Hill on third down is incomplete, as Jonathan Jones appeared to get a hand on the ball. Shilique Calhoun blew up Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the open field as part of that play.
— Q1, 10:08: The Patriots held the Chiefs to a field goal on their first possession of the game. Patrick Mahomes’ attempt to Sammy Watkins on third-and-goal was too high. Unfortunately, Devin McCourty dropped what should have been an easy interception on that drive. Mahomes later completed a 22-yard pass to Tyreek Hill on third-and-6. But the Pats ultimately keep them out of the end zone, so it’s 3-0 Chiefs.
— The Patriots and Chiefs have released their inactives for the game. Here’s who won’t be suiting up for the Pats tonight:
OG Shaq Mason
WR Jakobi Meyers
TE Dalton Keene
CB Myles Bryant
Mason is the big surprise, although he was on this week’s injury report with a calf issue. It’s unclear how the Patriots will replace Mason, as they’re already playing without starting center David Andrews, which necessitated moving Joe Thuney to center last week. More on the Patriots’ inactives here.
DT Chris Jones is a big loss for the Chiefs among their inactive players. Here’s their full list:
— Running back Damien Harris and wide receiver Gunner Olszewski have both been activated to the Patriots’ main roster and will be active on Monday night against the Chiefs. The moves came at a cost, however, as RB Sony Michel was placed on injured reserve.
— Updates By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
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? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.