Red Zone Offense Proves Costly as Patriots Fall to Chiefs 23-16

Red Zone Offense Proves Costly as Patriots Fall to Chiefs 23-16

The New England Patriots red zone offense issues proved costly on Sunday as they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-16 at Gillette Stadium. 

Trailing 23-16, the Patriots offense had 4th and 5 from the Kansas City five-yard line with just over a minute to play.

On fourth down, Tom Brady threw to Julian Edelman in the corner of the end zone, but the play was broken up by Kansas City’s Bashaud Breeland to seal the Chiefs win.

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Entering the game, the Patriots are ranked among the worst red-zone offenses in the NFL.

New England has now lost two straight games and drops to 10-3 on the season.

They currently hold the #2 seed in the AFC.

Kansas City improves to 9-4 on the year and have locked up the AFC West with the win.

Blocked Punt Sparks Patriots

After the Chiefs opened the third quarter with a field goal to take a 23-7 lead, it was New England’s special teams that provided a spark.

The Chiefs were punting from their own 35-yard line, but New England’s Nate Ebner blocked the punt, giving New England possession at the Kansas City 19-yard-line.

Two plays later, Brandon Bolden would rush it in from ten yards out to cut New England’s deficit to 23-13 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

On New England’s next defensive possession, Devin McCourty forced a fumble out of tight end Travis Kelce.

The ball was picked up by Stephon Gilmore, who was in the process of returning it for a touchdown before the referees blew the play dead.

Later on the Patriots drive, Brady connected with rookie N'Keal Harry on a crossing route in which Harry appeared to dive into the endzone. 

However, the referees called Harry out of bounds. 

The Patriots did not have any challenges remaining. 

New England would end up getting a field goal on the drive to cut the Chiefs lead to 23-16.

Disastrous 2nd Quarter for Patriots 

Leading 7-3 to start the second quarter, the Patriots defense had the Chiefs offense at 3rd and 19 from their own 46-yard line.

Mahomes threw a pass over the middle to Tyreek Hill to pick up the first down.

On Kansas City’s next set of downs, an illegal block in the back penalty set the Chiefs up with second and 25 from the Patriots 48-yard-line.

On the play, Mahomes fired a pass deep to the left to Mecole Hardman for a 48-yard touchdown pass to give the Chiefs a 10-7 lead after the extra point.

In coverage on the play was Jonathan Jones, who was also in coverage on the deep ball touchdown by the Texans last week.

On the Patriots ensuing offensive possession, Brady threw an intercept on the first play of the drive on a pass intended for tight end Matt LaCosse.

Six plays later, the Chiefs offense would capitalize.

On third and four from the Patriots four-yard line, Kansas City’s Travis Kelce would rush in for a touchdown, giving the Chiefs a 17-7 lead after the extra point.

After the Patriots offense continued to struggle moving the ball, the Chiefs would add a field goal just before the half to take a 20-7 lead.

Next Up 

The Patriots return to action on Sunday, December 15 when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. 

It is New England's final road game of the regular season. 

Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.