FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Chiefs in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Offense doesn't do enough again: There's plenty to talk about after this one, but the bottom line is the Patriots offense scored 16 points, needed 24 to win the game, and couldn't get it done. After opening the game with a touchdown on a trick play, the Patriots scored only one more touchdown and that was setup by a Nate Ebner blocked punt. New England had five drives with three plays or less. Tom Brady completed just 52.8 percent of his passes and had a 63.3 rating. He was sacked three times as protection was definitely an issue.
Officiating was terrible: Will have to wait until a film review to say the Patriots definitely got a raw deal in this one, but suffice it to say that the officiating by Jerome Boger's crew was absolutely terrible. They were involved way too much, calling ticky-tack stuff for much of the game, and then missed some blatant calls down the stretch, including a blatant DPI call that would have benefitted the Patriots.
Defense allows just three points in second half: Trailing 23-7 early in the third quarter and facing a team that had scored 31 second-half points in each of their past two meetings with New England, the Patriots were going to need a huge effort on defense and special teams to stay in the game ... and they got it. Kansas City didn't gain more than 28 yards on their final four drives of the game as the Patriots defense was swarming and frustrating Patrick Mahomes (26 of 40, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 83.6 rating).
TURNING POINT
When N'Keal Harry was ruled out of bounds with 13:14 to play in the fourth quarter. While the Patriots had three more downs (and went backward 8 yards), that call kind of deflated them. It was a tough call but the Patriots did have chances and they have only themselves to blame for not having a challenge at that point.
N’Keal Harry was ruled out of bounds here ??️♂️ pic.twitter.com/cJllNhGXRM
— FG ? (@ForeverGridiron) December 9, 2019
SECOND GUESS
We have a few:
- Not just going with James White as the full-time running back. The offense is so much better with him on the field.
- Chasing points with the failed two-point conversion with four minutes left in the third quarter. If the Patriots took the points there, they could have kicked the field goal with 3:26 left and had plenty of time to force a stop for the game-tying field goal.
- The non-DPI call on the Phillip Dorsett pass attempt late was bad.
- Belichick challening the spot and OPI, leaving himself no challenges, was not a smart move.
THREE UP
Julian Edelman: Just continues to take a beating and never stops. Despite being bracketed the entire game, Edelman still produces 103 total yards on nine touches and a score.
JC Jackson: Had a huge interception and seemed to have great coverage all night.
J.C Jackson adds to the #Patriots league-leading INT total. pic.twitter.com/Ds60hAi2as
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 8, 2019
Nate Ebner: Without his blocked punt, the Patriots might not have scored a touchdown past the opening drive of the game.
THREE DOWN
Tom Brady: He was under pressure and doesn't have many weapons, but it felt like there were plays to be made on occasion and if he was great in this game, the Patriots would have won. Right now he's just a byproduct of his environment. He used to lift everyone else up. Even the fans chanted his name, seemingly to propel him forward. Didn't seem to work.
Receivers: The Patriots simply can't win getting just one catch each from the receivers not named Edelman. It's not even close to good enough.
Isaiah Wynn/Marcus Cannon/Shaq Mason: They seemed to give up pressure on multiple occasions and the Chiefs aren't even good at rushing the passer. The offensive line overall continues to be a huge disappointment and a big part of the problem with the offense.
INJURIES
S Patrick Chung (unknown): Left the field but returned.
WR N'Keal Harry (hip): Was questionable to return.
TOP PLAYS
A goat and a squirrel get tricky.@TomBrady | @edelman11 pic.twitter.com/7E8CONuLZb
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 8, 2019
Special teams coming through. @NateEbner | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/SEmtnAuTuQ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 8, 2019
Jet sweep for the score.@BB_HulkSmash | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/Rl1KhfLo5j
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 8, 2019
A 35-yard PASS from @SweetFeet_White. pic.twitter.com/UgdWjaA6zu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 9, 2019
And now @TomBrady RUNS it 17 yards for the first down.
ON FOURTH DOWN. pic.twitter.com/gfBkYzHl0H
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 9, 2019
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The officials sucked, but the Patriots lost this game: I'm sure all of New England will go over all the missed calls, especially the non-N'Keal Harry touchdown (which was set up by a missed Julian Edelman block in the back) and the non-call on the Phillip Dorsett deep pass, but the Patriots have only themselves to blame with multiple missed opportunities by the inept offense. And if Bill Belichick wasn't so liberal going for two points in the quarter and challenging judgment calls, the Patriots might have had an easy path to victories with a couple of field goals. But the bottom line is it's way too hard for the Patriots to score touchdowns. And that's the real issue with this team, and in this game.
NFL officiating is awful: This might have been the worst-officiated game I've ever seen in my 20-year NFL career and that's saying something. And it was bad for both sides. Probably a little worse for the Patriots. The sad thing is, it's not going to get any better for the NFL with several more retirements coming. A showcase game like that should not have Jerome Boger on it. He's terrible and his crew is worse.