Greg Bedard of BostonSportJournal.com joined Felger and Mazz on Tuesday, as he does every Tuesday during the football season to discuss the latest with the New England Patriots following the team’s 27-17 loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Before 3 Up and 3 Down, here are some stats from the game courtesy of NFL.com…
Hunter Henry caught a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game on Sunday in the loss for the Patriots. Henry now has 3 receiving touchdowns in his last two games and 6 total touchdowns in the 2023 season. Henry also led all Patriots receivers in the game with 66 reception yards.
Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for 180 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the loss. Zappe was sacked 4 total times for a loss of 26 yards.
The Patriots have now lost their last 3 regular season matchups against the Chiefs. Their last regular season win over the Chiefs came during the 2018 season, which was a 43-40 victory in week 6 of the 2018 season.
The Chiefs won the possession battle in the game by holding the ball 31:14 to the Patriots 28:46 on Sunday. The Chiefs also picked up 19 total first downs compared to the Patriots picking up 10 first downs.
Taylor Swift, who has been dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, was in attendance at Gillette Stadium on Sunday supporting the Chiefs and Kelce.
With the loss, the Patriots have fallen to 1-6 at Gillette Stadium during the 2023 season. They are 1-7 at home this season, the 7th loss coming in Germany against the Indianapolis Colts where the Patriots were considered the home team.
Patriots rookie linebacker Marte Mapu picked up his first career interception in the loss.
Patriots punter Bryce Baringer had 6 punts on Sunday that totaled 288 yards. Placekicker Chad Ryland was 1 for 2 on field goals and 2 for 2 on extra points in the loss.
3 UP
Hunter Henry
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) makes the touchdown catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He was tremendous in the first half. He got dinged up early, but kept going with it before Bailey Zappe threw that hospital ball and got him hurt later in the game.
Christian Barmore
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: Christian Barmore #90 of the New England Patriots sacks Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: He’s been by far their best player. He has taken a huge step this year. Every week he’s been my three up.
Anfrenee Jennings
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the New England Patriots and Wan’Dale Robinson #17 of the New York Giants attempt to recover a fumble during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: I thought again he was outstanding on the edge. He did a really nice job.
3 DOWN
Sidy Sow
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow (62) on the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: Even though you could put pretty much anybody among Atonio Mafi, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange, and Connor McDermott on this list they were awful. Sidy Sow was horrendous in this game. Chris Jones basically just used and abused him the entire game. Look, it’s tough spot for a rookie, especially an undersized guy, Chris Jones is just a man, so that was not a winning case.
Kyle Dugger
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Kyle Dugger #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: I thought he was absolutely horrendous in this game. And to me it was one of two things…either this exposes him against a team that plays in space and more of a pass game, you know, he’s not he doesn’t get a chance to get closer to the line of scrimmage, or he’s starting to check out and worried about free agency and not wanting to get hurt. I mean, I think it’s the former, but he was he was horrendous in this game.
Alex Austin
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin (28) at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He’s not an NFL player. He shouldn’t be out there. Just not good.
