In a game where the New England Patriots picked off Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice in the first half, and held a 24-9 lead at the break, the hosts needed a last second field goal to claim the win in Sunday Night football as Stephen Gostkowski booted through a kick as time expired to give New England a 43-40 victory at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
New England (4-2) winners of now three straight games, moved the ball at ease all night long as did the visiting Chiefs. Kansas City though failed three times in New England territory in the opening half and were forced into field goals, while Mahomes was intercepted by Dante Hightower that led to a Patriots score, and by Duron Harmon in the end zone that also thwarted a Kansas City score.
The second half was a different story however, as Mahomes led Kansas City (5-1) to four touchdowns. On the first drive of third quarter, Mahomes found tailback Kareem Hunt wide open down the sideline for a 67 yard score to make it 24-16. The Patriots went back up 11 on a Gostkowski field goal, before the Chiefs came back with one of their own kicks from Harrison Butker to make it 27-19. In a big turning point of the game, Tom Brady was hit and fumbled deep in his own territory the next possession, and Mahomes found Tyreek Hill in the corner of the end zone on a 14 yard pass play cutting it to 27-26 after three.
Gostkowski nailed another field goal with about 10 minutes left in the fourth to make it 30-26, but the Chiefs came right back 1:44 later to take their first and only lead of the night when Mahomes found Hill again for a one yard score to make it 33-30 Kansas City. Brady scored on a four yard quarterback keeper with just under six minutes left to put New England back up 37-33, and Gostkowski hit his fourth field of the game making it 40-33 with 3:15 to play. The visiting Chiefs took just 12 seconds to tie it, as Mahomes found Hill for the third time on the night this time a passing play of 75 yards, as Hill went untouched and tied the score at 40-40 with 3:03 remaining. The Patriots then set it up for their kicker, with the two big plays coming from James White who had a 16 yard catch from Brady, and Rob Gronkowski found himself open for a 39 yard catch down to the Chiefs 9 yard line. Kansas City used their last timeout as New England got the ball into the center of the field, and Gostkowski hit the kick from 28 yards to send the vistitors to their first loss of the season. The Patriots had 500 total yards, to 446 for the Chiefs. The hosts also had the edge in time of possession holding the ball for 36:09, to 23:51.
Brady finished 24-35 passing, 340 yards (186 in second half-second most ever in a half by Brady), and one touchdown and also a rushing score. Rookie running back Sony Michel had 24 carries,104 yards, and two touchdowns. Gronkowski caught three passes for 97 yards, with the late reception on the game winning drive being his 500th career reception. Gronk becomes just the 15th tightend in history to have 500 or more receptions. Chris Hogan had four receptions for 78 yards, while Julian Edelman also caught four for 54 yards and a touchdown. Jason McCourty had six total tackles to lead the defense. Bradys 300 yard passing game was the 84th time he has thrown for 300 or more in his career, putting him third on the all-time list. It was also an all-time best 200th career regular season victory for the quarterback (14 more than the second guy on list-Peyton Manning with 186). Gostkowskis game winning kick was the 400th field goal attempt of his career, putting him 30th on the list.
Mahomes finished 23-36 passing, 352 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions for the previously unbeaten Chiefs. Hunt had 80 yards rushing and 105 yards receiving with one touchdown. Hill ended with seven receptions for 142 yards and the three touchdowns. Anthony Hitchens had 14 total tackles to anchor the defense.
New England hits the road next Sunday at 1 pm when they face the Bears in Chicago.
