Patriots’ comeback falls short in 23-16 home loss to Kansas City

FOXBORO — Until the final minutes, hallmarks of past Patriot defeats were speckled all over Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

Kansas City staked a two-score lead in the first half. Tom Brady was harassed throughout. Unusual gaffes marred the Pats’ efforts at a comeback.

And still, with 1:10 remaining, Tom Brady took a fourth-down snap from the Chiefs’ 5-yard line with a chance to tie the game. He backed away from the blitz, lofted a pass for Julian Edelman in the back left corner and watched with it carry his team’s hopes over the goal line. And then he saw Kansas City cornerback Bashaud Breeland bat it away, sending the Pats to the same unfortunate fate they’ve met against every other AFC contender to date.

Surviving a late second-half surge, the Chiefs beat the Patriots 23-16 before a sold-out crowd at Gillette Stadium. Kansas City scored 23 straight points over the opening quarters, then was held to fewer than 100 yards in the second half. The Pats trailed by 16 late in third quarter before climbing back on big plays on special teams and defense.

Trailing 23-7, Pats special teamer Nate Ebner blocked a third-quarter punt to gift the offense vital field position. Two plays later, Brandon Bolden rushed a 10-yard touchdown around the right end. The Pats trailed 23-10.

Back with possession, Kansas City was forced to march patiently downfield and stumbled into trouble. Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce fumbled the ball as he fought for extra yardage on a crossing route. Patriots safety Devin McCourty punched the ball free, and it was grabbed by Stephon Gilmore, who was stopped on his way to the end zone by a whistle.

The referees blew the play dead, then reversed course after the Patriots’ second challenge. Bill Belichick burned his first red flag earlier in the drive by unsuccessfully challenging the spot and an offensive pass interference non-call on third down.

The Pats appeared to empty their clip early, scoring on a 37-yard flea flicker from Brady to Julian Edelman. It was a bittersweet play; a necessary touchdown, but one that laid bare they had little choice but to resort to trickery and big plays from their defense and special teams.

Brady completed 19 of 36 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

After Edelman’s score, the Patriots punted twice, had a field goal blocked, threw an interception and turned the ball over on downs before letting the clock run out at midfield. The Chiefs led 20-7 at halftime.

Kansas City became the first team to lead the Patriots by double digits at Gillette Stadium since January 2018, when the Jaguars jumped to an early lead in the AFC Championship Game. Minutes into the second quarter, Patrick Mahomes found rookie wideout Mecole Hardman on a 48-yard touchdown pass made possible by a Mahomes scramble. Minutes later, following Brady’s pick, tight end Kelce took a direct snap four yards to pay dirt, and the Chiefs led 17-7.

After the Pats forced the Chiefs’ first punt with four minutes to play in the half, snapping a streak of three straight scoring drives, they handed possession right back with a three-and-out. Kansas City then marched down for a 31-yard field goal. The Chiefs also hit a 48-yarder at the end of the first quarter.

Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson intercepted Mahomes on Kansas City’s opening drive, only his third pick of the season.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2P1E3kJ