Pats have final say
Late FG hands KC first loss
FOXBORO — For the second time in as many seasons, the Chiefs’ sucked the energy right out of Gillette Stadium, forcing turnovers and using their devastating team speed to rapidly rally against the Patriots.
The Pats’ 24-9 halftime lead had vanished, as a stubborn Tom Brady scramble — and subsequent fumble — and a 97-yard kickoff return gave the league’s top offense two short fields and two touchdowns.
Suddenly, trailing 33-30 midway through the fourth quarter, and facing a third-and-1, Brady uncorked a deep ball to Chris Hogan. Hogan fought through a pass interference, shrugged off Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller, and hauled in the pass for 46 yards, immediately revitalizing the Patriots.
There were no punts last night. There was an insane amount of scoring and nearly 1,000 yards of total offense. And, in the end, there was Stephen Gostkowski knocking through a chip shot 28-yard field goal to give the Patriots an epic 43-40 win as time expired.
Here’s how we got there: Hogan’s enormous 46-yard reception set up a diving Brady touchdown that gave the Pats a 37-33 lead. They then added a 50-yard field goal by Gostkowski for a 40-33 advantage.
The Chiefs swiftly answered in one play with a 75-yard strike to Tyreek Hill, who got open deep in the Patriots’ zone coverage and immediately accelerated away from Duron Harmon for the touchdown.
The Pats got the ball last, and Brady’s deep connection with Rob Gronkowski set up the game-winning kick.
For the Patriots, the beginning of the game was defined by its remarkable defensive play. The Pats became the first team all season to hold the Chiefs without a touchdown in the first half.
Dont’a Hightower picked off Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter when he showed rush, took two steps forward at the snap and then retreated into coverage. Mahomes never saw him, and threw the ball right to Hightower, who returned it 27 yards to the Kansas City 4-yard line.
As the Chiefs marched down the field in the final minute of the first half, Hightower chased down Mahomes and forced him to get rid of the ball on the run. Mahomes’ ill-advised throw was intercepted by Harmon in the end zone.
The Pats survived the half allowing just three field goals and had a 24-9 lead.
The second half quickly got interesting, though.
On a third-and-2 at the 33yard line, Mahomes rolled right, extended the play, and allowed Hunt to turn his route upfield. Mahomes hit Hunt in stride for a 67-yard touchdown to bring the Chiefs within eight points.
The Patriots’ kickoff coverage, which has been shaky all year, finally broke in the second half. After kicking a field goal to take a 30-26 lead, the Pats allowed a 96-yard kick return by Tremon Smith down the visitors’ sideline. Matthew Slater got blocked and Devin McCourty couldn’t get an angle on Smith as he turned on the jets. McCourty caught him at the 3-yard line.
Two plays later, Mahomes found Hill running across the end zone for a 33-30 lead.
The Patriots set the tone early with the running game, racking up 74 yards on the ground in the first quarter. Sony Michel did whatever he wanted against the league’s worst rushing defense, which came in allowing 5.8 yards per carry. Michel finished with 106 yards and two touchdowns.