The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves 4-0 after an unconvincing 26-10 win over the New England Patriots. 

In what started out as a fantastic game for both defenses, a mixture of luck and mistakes would hand the Chiefs the win at Arrowhead Stadium. 

It would be a game to forget for the Patriots Justin Hoyer and Julian Edelman but a solid performance from the Chiefs defense will leave coach Andy Reid happy. 

  • First Quarter

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The Chiefs started the game like a house on fire, Patrick Mahomes marched his side down the field in seven plays including a clever across the body pass inside to Tyreek Hill as they looked for an early touchdown. 

Mahomes looked for the touchdown but no gaps appeared for the Superbowl MVP as his lobbed pass to Sammy Watkins on third down was too far for the receiver, leaving Harrison Butker to come on to convert the field goal. 

With no Cam Newton due to a COVID-19 positive test, it was down to Brian Hoyer to try to move the chains for the Patriots but his first drive didn't bring a first down as they found themselves punting back to the Chiefs not long after coming on the field. 

The Patriots really struggled to move the chains in the first quarter as Hoyer couldn't convert to Damiere Byrd on third and three and the ball was punted back to the Chiefs, leaving them back inside their own 10-yard line.

Although Mahomes found himself 90+ yards from the Patriots endzone, the Chiefs managed to work themselves into field goal range after numerous good plays from rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire and a dig route to Watkins, Butker converted the field goal and the Chiefs found themselves up by six points. 

As the quarter came to a close there was still time for another play, Hoyer back fresh on the field after the Butker field goal looked downfield for a receiver but his pass was intercepted by Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill on the first play back on the field. 

  • Second Quarter

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The ball was immediately turned over in the second quarter straight back to the Patriots as Mahomes found Watkins but cornerback Stephon Gilmore was on hand to punch the ball out and JC Jackson recovered the ball for a turnover. 

Hoyer rode his luck during his next drive as his pass into Julian Edelman bounced up off his fingertips but Gunner Olszewski was on hand to catch the ball and pick up the first down on third and seven as the Patriots entered Chiefs territory for the first time in the game after a brilliant run from Rex Burkhead. 

The Patriots failed to convert on third down however as Rashad Fenton was on hand to bat the ball away as Bill Belichick's side settled for the field goal with Nick Falk converted. 

There would be some controversy in the second quarter and Mahomes was sacked by Chase Winovich on third and four, the ball popped out and was intercepted but there was no call and the Chiefs quickly punted back to the Patriots. 

White managed to convert on third and six after good work from left-guard Joe Thuney as he found the gap to charge through to find the 1st down. 

However, as the half came to a close, Hoyer would be left red-faced as Frank Clark got to the quarterback on third and eight and sacked him with only seconds to go with the quarterback still thinking his side had a timeout left and that would be the end of the half.

 

Half Time - New England Patriots 3-6 Kansas City Chiefs.

 

  • Third Quarter

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The ball began in the hands of the Patriots in the third quarter but there would be back to back punts as neither side could put together any sort of rhythm at the start of the second half. 

Hoyer did manage to get the chains moving again as he escaped the pocket and rushed for a first down, the quarterback then converted to Edelman for his first and second receptions of the night. 

However, Hoyer would come under some pressure from the Chiefs defence and Taco Charlton caused the quarterback to lose the ball and the Chiefs would overturn the ball in what was excellent field position for the Patriots. 

Mahomes got the Chiefs immediately rolling as he found Hill immediately for a first down and then found tight end Travis Kelce on a huge 45-yard play. 

This march down the field would prove to be worth it as the Chiefs pulled out their bag of tricks and Hill would run the ball into the end zone with a jet sweep and the first touchdown of the game. 

  • Fourth Quarter

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Patriots would get the ball back following Butker's successful PAT and it would be a big play from Damien Harris that got them downfield and within scoring range. 

Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu thought he had an interception in his own end zone but pass interference was called, Jarrett Stidham would enter as quarterback for the Patriots and he would get his first career NFL touchdown as he found N'Keal Harry with a lob pass and with a successful PAT from Falk they were back within three points of the Chiefs. 

Mahomes would come away with a couple lucky escapes on his next drive as his pass towards Kelce was incomplete but pass interference was called on the defense followed by a missed interception by Jackson which left the Chiefs with a chance, one that they would take as Mecole Hardman ran the ball in on a reverse play but Butker's PAT would be no good. 

Stidham would come out again at quarterback and his first play after getting the ball back would see his pace get fumbled in the air by Edelman, allowing Mathieu to intercept and score a pick-six for the home side with Butker drilling the PAT. 

The Patriots would come out again and put together a better drive which included a fourth-down reception by Edelman but Stidham's long raking throw downfield not long after would be intercepted by Fenton to pretty much ice the game for the Chiefs.

Final Score -New England Patriots 10-26 Kansas City Chiefs.

 

  • Up Next

The Chiefs will host the Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) next in another game at Arrowhead Stadium as they look to keep themselves rolling on towards another Superbowl. 

The Patriots will welcome the Denver Broncos (1-3) to Foxborough as they look to get back to winning ways after a mixed start to the season.