Chiefs Keep From Losing, 27-to-17

Laddie Morse

I debated whether or not to rip an old title off for this piece: “Chiefs Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat” but I’ll have to save that one for a much closer score. The point is, the Chiefs didn’t win this game so much as they didn’t lose it. Yes, they were up by ten for most of the 4th quarter, and, ended up winning by ten… but it just didn’t feel like a good ole win that we Chiefs Kingdom fans have gotten used too in recent years gone by.

Let’s admit… the New England Patriots are a bad team. Their offense is offensive… at best. Plus, Patrick Mahomes has not morphed back into the good ole PMII we’ve known before either. He threw two TD passes but also threw two INTs. One was his fault and the other came off of the hands of Kadarius Toney. Again. Mahomes was visibly upset about it too. Again (0:13).

And again (0:29).

Two plays later, the Patriots turned that INT into a touchdown and came back to within ten points: 27-to-17.

Adam Teicher, of ESPN, even posted about Toney’s future, not only overall, but during the game when he said:

My original hope for this game was that Patrick Mahomes would play so good that he would jump back into the lead for the MVP Race. Here’s Patrick Mahomes stats for this game:

The 305 in total yards completed is good, but not great. That just about describes this game: Good but not great. Plus, a rating of 92.7 is not going to place him back in the lead for the MVP.

Player(s) of the Game

The Defense

The defense held the Patriots offense down to 17 points, a limit maintained by David Bell. Although he’s raised that to 21 for last season, it does mark the limits the defense is imposing on another team. They played a very good game once again, in fact you could call it a great game. Although they allowed the TD after the second INT that Mahomes threw (which Kadarius Toney gave up)… they should not be counted down for that one. Prior to that TD by the Pats, in the second half of play, the Defense had forced the Pats into:

• An INT

• A Punt

Although the Chiefs fell behind in the first half, 10-to-7 at one point, they came back and took control of the game. Just not the total kind of control we’ve grown used to.

Travis Kelce

Yes, Travis Kelce’s girlfriend — soon to be wife — was in attendance and so was Alana Haim (who is part of the Haim sister group, and who I love their music). Alana Haim is below on the right:

My favorite song of the Haim Sisters is: “Want You Back” and here’s a little look and listen to that piece (3:58):

I have to admit that part of the appeal of Haim, and this song specifically, is that this was filmed not far from where I grew up.

More on Travis Kelce

Later in the game Kelce hurt his arm:

Travis Kelce had 6 catches for 28 yards in this game. He now needs just 76 yards over the last three Chiefs contests to gain 1,000 for the 8th season in a row. BTW, no other TE has even 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons.

Skyy Moore

Rashee Rice

WR Rashee Rice had a good game and was the leading receiver in the game, for both teams. He gained 91 yards on 9 catches for the good guys! This now gives Rice 754 receiving yards for the season.

Quote of the Game

“We know the Patriots want to run the ball

consistently. We know the Chiefs have gotten

behind early in games and they want to make

sure that doesn’t happen. Middle Linebacker

Nick Bolton is playing in the game, one of

the best LBs in football. But I am told he is

extremely banged up. He has battled through

a variety of injuries. If the Patriots want to

pound the football, he’s a player you’re

going to have to watch.” –James Palmer

LB Nick Bolton had five (5) tackles in this game.