BSJ Game Report: Chiefs 27, Patriots 17 - After fast start, Zappe, offense no-show in 2nd half

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Chiefs  in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Zappe runs out of magic: Bailey Zappe was terrific in the first half (17 of 19, 141 yards) against a tough Chiefs defense, including a great touchdown throw to Hunter Henry on 4th down. He also had another that was called back by penalty.

But the second half, once again, was a different story. He threw an awful forced pick on the first play of the second half to give the Chiefs the ball at the 7-yard line, and they scored to go up 24-10. He almost had another that was dropped by L'Jarius Snead, and then he threw a hospital ball to Hunter Henry on the next play. 

Penalties were killer for Patriots: The game started with a 10-yard penalty on Brendan Schooler on the opening kickoff. Conor McDermott's holding penalty wiped off a sensational play by Zappe to Henry for a touchdown. A Jonathan Jones hold offset an intentional grounding penalty against Patrick Mahomes. A Skyy Moore fumble and return by Jabrill Peppers was nullified by an Alex Austin defensive holding infraction. Patriots had 5 penalties for 45 yards and they all felt huge. 

Where is JC Jackson?: The veteran cornerback was active for the game but Austin started the game. Furthermore, Jackson wasn't spotted on the sideline at all for the balance of the game. There had been some concerns behind the scenes about Jackson's mental state once he arrived from the Chargers.

“He wasn’t available. We’ll leave it at that," Belichick said.

Injuries take a toll: Patriots had seven guys go out of the game at some point, with Cole Strange the most serious. 

TURNING POINT

Zappe's INT, which was part of the Chiefs scoring 17-straight points to take control of the game.

SECOND GUESS

A few:

• On 4th and 3 from the NE 42 with 14:50 left and trailing by 17, the Patriots punted.
• They punted again on 4th and 4 from the NE 33 on the next possession.
• Why not try for some points before halftime with about 40 seconds left and two timeouts?
• Don't hurry at all down 10 with under 4 minutes left in the game. We have all day.

THREE UP

Christian Barmore: Was a beast again. Sack, three tackles for a loss.

Mack Wilson: Continued his strong play with 1.5 sacks.

Hunter Henry: Caught 7 of 9 targets for 66 yards and a TD (should have had two).

THREE DOWN

Conor McDermott: Huge penalty wiped out a touchdown and a great play by Zappe.

Kyle Dugger: He helped Travis Kelce drop a touchdown, but other than that, he seemed out of it today.

JC Jackson: Did he go MIA for a game against Mahomes? He might have been of some use.

TOP PLAYS

INJURIES

Cole Strange (left knee): Was carted off with what looked like a serious left knee injury. Atonio Mafi replaced him.

Jonathan Jones (knee): Returned to the game.

Matthew Slater (left knee): Walked off and returned for the next punt.

Conor McDermott (head): Was questionable to return. Vederian Lowe replaced him. 

Hunter Henry (knee): Took a vicious shot and limped off.

Ja'Whaun Bentley (leg): Limped off after being down a while. He returned to the game.

Anfernee Jennings (abdomen): Walked off.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Maybe the tank is on: Do I think the Patriots are straight-up trying to lose games? No, I think they go in trying to win the game. But as soon as it becomes clear New England will lose, it feels like Belichick pulls back.

The offensive playcalls once the Patriots were down 17 points in the second half left a lot to be desired. He could have gone for a couple of fourth downs if they were going for broke and in playoff contention. And when they had the ball the final time backed up to their own goal line with 4 minutes left and down 10, the Patriots acted like it was the first quarter with all the huddles and slow pace.

Quiet tank? Maybe. And the Panthers beating the Falcons got New England to within a game of the first overall pick.

Kelce backs Belichick: Patriots did a nice job against Travis Kelce, who was held to 5 catches for 28 yards, even with his girlfriend in attendance. Kelce, who was grabbed by Belichick after the game — along with Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones — was asked about Belichick not being with the Patriots after this season.

“Yeah, it’s wild to even to think about," Kelce said. "But I’ve got a feeling that guy still has some football left in him.

“I’ve just got all the respect in the world for that guy. Every single time I go up against him it’s the toughest job in the NFL, to go up against a Belichick defense.”